Topic: would you be offended?

[547]

So i bought a 60's Honda cb160 that is going to be a long term project. I already own a late 70's cb750four which is my short term project- next summers daily rider. I also own an early 70's cb450twin which is mint other than the fact that the guy i trusted to replace the pistons has had the motor in his shop since June. It was also my first street bike.

Anyhow, i emailed my buddy a photo of my new 60's Honda which is rusted and seized but has good bones and was almost free.

-Keep in mind that my friend has a 70's cb550 that he doesn't maintain or even treat nicely. i feel bad for that bike.-

So my friend sees the cb160 that i bought for my son and daughter to get running with my help and tells me he thinks it is cool.

then the fool emails me this-

"so what about your 450, green bike?
i'll buy it off you maybe, for Char if you're going to fix this hot piece of work up for Abe and Mae.
i'm really jealous, by the way.
do you want to sell it?  i'll even put it back together!"

the bike in question is:
1. my first street bike(saved forever to buy it)
2. near mint completely stock(all but the tires)
3. i have recently put about a grand into it
4. my favorite bike
5. is going to have the top end rebuilt by next riding season
6. the bike i talk about the most
7. and so on and so on

my friend knows all of this too. i have been #$%*ing to him about the motor for months now. believe me he wants a hand out. i am strangely offended that he would think after all the time, money, blood and sweat put into this bike that i would consider selling it. it would be like selling one of your kids. 

tell me- would this offend you? and what happened to your first street bikes?

[BlindJoe]

Hell yeah I'd be offended. I'd ask for the motor back and just finish it myself.

[tramp]

be straight forward and tell him the bikes not for sale and you want him to get going on the motor

[547]

he is not the one with the motor.
i can see where my story might make it seem that way.
i understand why the guy with the motor is not getting it done.
i just like to complain about it sometimes.

it is my best bud who i ride with that offered to buy it.

oh and i made it very clear that the bike is not for sale and that was a dumb a$$ offer.

[johnny_from_bel]

Yes, I'd be offended. I do not email friends that live close to me. I either pay a visit or phone and ask.

The nerve of sending an email to ask such a question. Extremely bad taste.

[MCRider]

I always try to give the benefit of the doubt. Could be some strong psychological cross-currents here.

He knows you love it, admits he's jealous (he loves it too). He hears you complaining about it occasionally. So...in his mind he's doing you (a friend) a favor with the offer. You'll know its going to a good loving home and your spirits should improve.

Maybe he used email as he knows deep down he shouldn't do it and can't face you.

Thank him for the offer, tell him you're making headway, and you'll likely never give it up. I see you told him its not for sale and its a dumb-ass offer. Now knowing that he can't have it, he may actually persist. Love is funny. Could get tricky. 

Do something positive with it, replace a cable, polish a part, (you have put $1,000 into it) and talk about that, only. In his case, don't share about the negatives. Lay that on someone else. Like the forum.

How's that for armchair pop-psychology?  Don't forget...it's free! 

PS: While its everyone's right to take offense, it rarely accomplishes anything and mostly punishes the offended.

[my78k]

I dunno....I wouldn't be offended tho. I have infact have made similar comments to buddies. Just fishing really....infact that is how I ended up with my 78 750. My buddy was letting it rot (not that you are) and so I mentioned that I like to tinker and had the space and some tools. My first offer was he cover the parts etc and once I got it running he was to buy the beers and let me take it out every so often but instead he said just take it off my hands.

I realize that this is a little different in your eyes but it may not be in his. He sees an older bike (which he obviously undervalues as evidenced by the treatment of his own) and nothing being done with the motor...maybe in his eyes he really didn't know your stance on the whole thing. Perspective is everything...

Dennis

[fuzzybutt]

now take this with a grain of salt, i can have a very VERY short fuse when i get offended, but it's not at all easy to do so. i likely would have told him to stick it up his a$$, you know full well how much i love that bike, i cannot believe you'd lowball me like that.

[Ecosse]

I'm not sure I'd be offended, but more likely, uncertain as to how thoughtless he seemed to be to ask a question he should already know the answer to.

Having said that remember emails have a tendency to blur intent. A person can think they are making them selves very clear and have the tone of the message misinterpreted. He might just be trying to be funny. He might have been grinning when he typed the email. Before giving it to him with both barrels make sure you understand him; a bad joke is different than a thoughtless question. If he was serious I still wouldn't blast him. Just tell him with a half serious tone to seek help then laugh it off. I have some very good friends who happen to to be tone deaf when it comes to matters of the heart like bikes and animals... and girls.

Then, convince him his 550 is worth putting some effort into for God sakes.

[Really?]

tell me- would this offend you? and what happened to your first street bikes?

Prolly and I would say WTF?!

Traded the 400f on a '80 XS Eleven Standard fromt he showroom floor.  Only bike I have had from one of those floors.  Traded that eventually for '80 Chevy Luv I had fun modding.