Sold the first bike I bought when I got back into riding

[Stormtruck2]

When I got back into riding in 2009, I bought a 1980 CB 650 to get back into riding. I rode it for a couple of years then bought my 1996 California.  I then used my 650 to teach people how to ride.  Taught several people on that bike. When I wasn't using it to train people, it sat in the shed and maybe got a 100 miles on it a year. More time was spent each year doing maintenance on it than riding it.  Last week a trucking friend of mine asked if I had a bike I'd part with, for his son to buy . At first I thought I really didn't have one. I then thought about my 650 just sitting in the shed. My friends son Jesse is 6'8" 350 pounds, (203 Cm, 158.75 Kilos). Jesse works at a Harley/Suzuki/Can-Am dealer, and has or over two years. He didn't want a Harley, or a squid bike.  He didn't want anything to big or fast.  He has passed the MSF course, but doesn't have any real riding experience.   We pulled the bike out of the shed, put new battery in it and it popped right off. Jesse came to the house and looked at it and took it for a short ride. He liked it and was getting excited about the bike.   While I really didn't want to sell it, I can't think of a better home for it to go to.  Helping a 18 year old young man with limited funds, a love of motorcycles, and a sense of responsibility get started in the motorcycle work is a good mission for this bike  Ho many of us got started on a Honda lo so many years ago??  Jesse went to the bank and borrowed the $1,000 to buy it and I delivered it last night.  Today he plans on putting new tires (current ones are 14 years old), lubing the brake, speedometer, and tach cable  Yes it has a cable drive for the tach. The chain is is very good shape, he is going to clean and lube it. So though I feel loss selling it, I feel joy at it is again bringing another man into the wonderful world of riding. 1980 Honda CB 650, 35 years later, still bring new riders into the riding world.  Not a bad thing.

[Lannis]

That's a GOOD thing; it's exactly what you ought to do with the bike.

And good for the young man wanting to start out on something reasonable.   Big lad like him will need a 650 to carry him, so that should work.

If he puts a lot of miles on it, he'll start deciding for himself what the next bike will be.    If he's like me, he'll go through 10 of them before he finally figures out what works best for him, besides "lighting his fire".

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

To bad you couldn't just give it to him free, that's where I thought the story was going.
didn't you already get your money's worth of enjoyment from it? maybe you could pay half of the cost for new tires?

[Lannis]

To bad you couldn't just give it to him free, that's where I thought the story was going.
didn't you already get your money's worth of enjoyment from it? maybe you could pay half of the cost for new tires?

I thought about the "free" thing too, but I've found (even and especially with my own kids) that it's best that the young rider have some skin in the game.   

$1000 is a decent price for a bike in good shape like this, and they SHOULD have to work a bit to get the toys.   I always did, and it did me good over the years.

And this way it's REALLY his, and not a gift from Uncle Stormtruck over which there might be some implied "Now if you don't want this anymore, I might want it back" or any other thing like that ....

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

good points Lannis.

[cruzziguzzi]

At first blush, I thought that was a white version of my old CM400T. Very much the same shape but likely waaaay more practical - I just never really felt good at freeway speeds. Gotta be tough giving up such a reliable old ride as one of those post-classic Hondas. Much the same as trying to get us to give up on our Scout or Cherokee.

As to the "Free" sentiment. I too see almost no good in that and not from some Rand-ian opposition but rather simple experience. One point is stated above quite well. The other is that it has been our experience that the "free dog" is not only a burdensome gift to the recipient but can return to bite the giver just as well.

Free dog
Free Corvette
Free motorcycle
Free lunch

Far too often, both sides too late discover the true price.

Todd.

[Stormtruck2]

I've turned down $1,500 for the bike before. I thought about free, but that would deprive him of the sense of ownership, and working for it. I figured $1,000 was an amount he could safely borrow and feel the satisfaction of buying it himself.  As for tires I helped him find a set of Shinkos for it for $130. He was thinking Kendras but I moved him to Shinko's. I am willing to help guide him into the wonderful world of riding and bike ownership, but he has to supply the drive and sweat equity. Earned, not given is alway the better path.

[Guzzistajohn]

Good on you Matt. I think I spilled beer right where the Honda's sitting

[Triple Jim]

Very nice story, Stormtruck2, and I also agree with the $1000 price as being a good decision, although borrowing it instead of saving up might not be the best thing for him.

As an aside, the CDC says a good weight for someone who's 6'8" is about 220 lbs.  That puts your 18 year friend old at 130 lbs. overweight.  He's in for multiple health problems if he continues.  I'd sure like to hear that he's also shopping for a bicycle.

[Stormtruck2]

TJ, thanks for your concern. Borrowing the money will be a learning experience  I'm sure. How many teens, regardless of how smart they are, have to learn from experience. Good decision making comes from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions. Lol. I think the CDC's goal is to make everyone look like a starving Ethiopian.  Jesse is far from overweight or obese.  I myself am 5' 9" and 272 this morning. CDC says I should be 150-170.  In the Navy I was 3% body fat and weighed 155.  Currently they say I am obese, yet my BP is 120/70 and A1C of 5.  So I tend to laugh mockingly at CDC telling me what I should be. One size fits 315 million people? Lol. Common sense would suggest not. The people here whom have met me can voice their opinion on whether I'm a fat bastard or just a bastard.   I'm willing to bet Jesse could bench press a Cali 1400. Lol

[Lannis]

I think the CDC's goal is to make everyone look like a starving Ethiopian. 

Even my doctor doesn't want me following the CDC BMI guidelines.   Given my height and wrist diameter (indicating bone/frame size), the CDC says that at 6'2", I'd be in the middle of the "healthy" range at 160 pounds.     

I know better than that.   The times in my life when I was In Shape, with almost no pinchable fat, I was about 195 pounds.    My son, who is my height and frame size, was 205 pounds when he graduated from Parris Island Marine Recruit Center, ie boot camp.   He was lean as a whip and strong as a bull, like the Marines make 'em, and the "chart" said he was 55 pounds overweight - i.e. almost morbidly obese.

From this data point, as well as the CDC's stand on social and political issues, I consider them nothing but a shill for "progressive" propaganda, and not a serious health organization.   They just don't make sense on anything real-life.

Lannis

[Zoom Zoom]

I agree. Having to pay for something also gives the new owner a reason not to beat into the ground. I have seen too many people get something for nothing or dirt cheap only to abuse it, or otherwise take it for granted.

Anyway, Congratulations to you both. You got some mad money and the young man can now ride around the country side!

John Henry

[Lannis]

I agree. Having to pay for something also gives the new owner a reason not to beat into the ground. I have seen too many people get something for nothing or dirt cheap only to abuse it, or otherwise take it for granted.

Anyway, Congratulations to you both. You got some mad money and the young man can now ride around the country side!

John Henry

Yep.   And the way to bond with a "new" bike (even if it's 30 years old ... maybe ESPECIALLY if it's 30 years old) is to take that thing out and ride it farther from home than you can get back in a day, and stay out and then fire it up in the campground or motel parking lot in the morning and listen to it hum as it takes you home.

You can get to like ANY bike doing that ....

Lannis

[Stormtruck2]

I agree. Having to pay for something also gives the new owner a reason not to beat into the ground. I have seen too many people get something for nothing or dirt cheap only to abuse it, or otherwise take it for granted.

Anyway, Congratulations to you both. You got some mad money and the young man can now ride around the country side!

John Henry

I call it glad money.  Glad I got it and momma don't.