While I sit removing 41 year-old gasket from the points and advance covers, it occurred to me that I never told you chaps the full exciting story of my purchase of this fine machine.
In posting #135, you might have seen the advert that snared my interest. Here's another picture from their site:
Called Motorcycle Warehouse to have a chat and ask a few questions, as you do, and ended up placing a deposit, as you do.
Never even ridden an XS650 and now I own one. However, I'm in the Scottish Borders and the bike is in Newton Abbott - that's Devon, or approx 500 miles away. Could have hired a van and gone to collect. But, as I've learned from experiences of others, the cost-effective solution is to use one of the growing number of companies that specialise in transporting motorbikes. So I contacted Robbie of Motorcycle Transport Services and agreed a price for fetching the bike. But he can't do it for two weeks - 28th May he will collect from MCW and next day deliver to me.
The week before that, transfer balance of price and receive 'Thank you' email from MCW, confirming that they will have bike ready for collection next Tuesday.
Monday, 9am, I called MCW to ask a couple of questions. And got a recorded message, crux of which '
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Motorcycle Warehouse has ceased trading'.
Sent an email, no reply all day, and phoned again a few times, same recorded message. Phoned Robbie the transport man to appraise him of the situation. We agreed he will still go to MCW on Tuesday as arranged and see what he could do.
In my limited experience, once a firm has ceased trading, the receivers put
everything on hold and you can't remove as much a paper clip. Eventually all assets, fixtures & fittings, stock, etc is sold at auction and funds divvied out to everyone deemed to have a claim. That is,
after wages owed, taxman, accountants fees, trade creditors, etcetera.
Monday early evening, Robbie called - on his way down to Cornwall, he made a detour through Newton Abbott - shutters down at MCW, nobody around, hand-written note sellotaped to the door saying '
ceased trading.' Robbie told me he had a similar experience with a shop that owed him for bike deliveries.The receivers told him 'We can put you on the list and once everything is sorted out you might get 2p in the pound.' Robbie said, I really feel for you, mate!
So on Monday 27th May, I have lost my money. Barring a miracle, I won't ever see the Yamaha. As usual, Mrs very supportive. It's not your fault, you haven't done anything silly or rash, we've lost the money but just have to chalk this one up to 'experience'.
Tuesday 9am, phone call from Phil at MCW. Boy, was I relieved to hear from him? We're expecting your man to collect the bike sometime late morning. Hope he is not too late - best if he comes before 2pm.
Phil told me the business had been flooded in November. Building work, supposed to take 5 weeks and be completed by Christmas, had stretched out to 5½ months. 'Effectively, the bloody builders shut us down! Today, we have to meet the accountants at 2pm and after that, who knows.
Looks like your bike will be the last we ever ship.'
So give Phil his due, he honoured the deal and as you can see I have the bike!
When things aren't going to well with the XS650, as with the tank full of rust or the too-long cam chain, I reflect that things nearly went a lot worse than that . . .
).
