Author Topic: Stealing Larry's Ride  (Read 1768 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Blackhorse

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
Stealing Larry's Ride
« on: March 12, 2010, 07:55:03 PM »
You are going to love this one.

A friend of mine here in Wisconsin works with a guy who just bought a farm. He's comes into work one day and tells my friend that in this barn is a load of antique tractors. But, way in the back behind the tractors are two boxes and what appears to be an old motorcycle, My friend asks what was in the boxes and the reply was that they contained some old Harley parts and some old Indian parts.

My friend is somewhat interested and asks "What about the bike?" This fellow sez that bike is Brough Superior SS100. Now my friends really excited (keeping it inside of course) and asks if he can come over to look at and maybe make an offer. His co-worker tells him that he would like to clear out the tractors so that they can get access to the motorcycle and would let him know when it is available for viewing.

Well, a few days go by and this guy calls my friend to inform him that the bike and the boxes are gone. Turns out that my friends boss had heard about the Brough Superior and rushed over, made an offer, and cut through the wall of the barn to get the bike and the boxes out. Turns out he only paid $1500.00 for the whole lot.

Now, my sources tell me that a SS100 in rolling, not running condition will fetch a minimum of $35,000 and that properly restored versions have been auctioned off for close to $500,000.

My friend was going to offer about twice what his boss snagged it for, but I feel bad for the guy who sold it because he had no idea what he had. Lawrence of Arabia would be pissed.
"The road goes on forever, but the party never ends"
1975 CB550F SS
1979 BMW R100/7
2008 KLR650

Offline myhondas

  • Not really such a
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,439
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2010, 09:32:53 PM »
Believe it or not, he actually has some legal recourse against the guy who "stole" the bike. He can get a the bike back or a "fair"  price for it. Just need to show that the guy knew what the vehicle was worth and took advantage of the owners lack of knowledge. It has happened quite a few times recently. May have to get a lawyer, but it would be worth it.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2010, 08:27:55 AM by myhondas »
1974 CB 750 K4 SHOWROOM
1974 CB 750 K4 IN PART-OUT PROCESS (my original bike)
1965 C100 CUB 50 (PIT BIKE)
1996 VF 750 CD daily rider
1983 VF 1100 V65 Magna in restoration process
SOHC# 5105 11228

Offline Blackhorse

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2010, 08:10:26 AM »
Thanks, I'll pass that along to my friend.
"The road goes on forever, but the party never ends"
1975 CB550F SS
1979 BMW R100/7
2008 KLR650

Offline Raul CB750K1

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,881
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2010, 01:59:30 PM »
I feel bad for the guy who sold it because he had no idea what he had.

I think he knew very well what he had. A pile of scrap metal, and I bet he was astonished to know that somebody would be willing to pay $1500 for it.


What the guy didn't know is how much is some people willing to pay for that same scrap metal after being restored.


I'm not fond of Brough Superiors, but if I stumped into this, I would have probably bought it too. Sometimes you look for the bike you want, and sometimes, a bike finds you.

Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

  • The Stumped
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,137
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2010, 02:06:20 PM »
I don't know man, one guy was going to give him 3K, the other 1500. And the bike is worth upwards of 35k? Sounds like they were both trying to "steal" it.
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline gerhed

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,801
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2010, 08:40:34 AM »
Great scene at the beginning of "Lawrence of Arabia".
Brough being fired up..
The scene was ripped off a few years later in
"The Wild Angels"----a Harley this time, of course.
Rides: 75 CB750F, 48 Indian Chief, 67 Triumph TR6, 63Honda CA95
          83 XL600R in CB360 Frame
          3-wheel electric tilting cycle

Offline Blackhorse

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2010, 10:39:35 AM »
I don't know man, one guy was going to give him 3K, the other 1500. And the bike is worth upwards of 35k? Sounds like they were both trying to "steal" it.

My friend is a pretty straight up guy he would have told him the value and if the guy didn't want the hassle (read was an idiot) he would have made his offer for 3K.
"The road goes on forever, but the party never ends"
1975 CB550F SS
1979 BMW R100/7
2008 KLR650

Offline Blackhorse

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 81
Re: Stealing Larry's Ride
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2010, 07:27:37 PM »
Turn's out the Boss didn't get the Brough Superior after all. Apparently the kid trying to sell the bike did not have the rights to do so. The motorcycle was as stated earlier removed from the barn. Someone knows it's worth and a number of people are posturing to get their hands on it. I'll post more as this story unfolds.
"The road goes on forever, but the party never ends"
1975 CB550F SS
1979 BMW R100/7
2008 KLR650