On the hunt; barn Triumph, follow along if you want.

[46th Georgia]

They're coming to get it back. they pick up.
I don't need to make a deal bad enough to have an old lady think I've robbed her.
Thanks for all who played along. I'll post a farewell pic.

I'd make sure they have your contact info when boy genius can't fix or sell it and they want it gone again. I made an offer on a 54k mile '03 883 Sportster the other day that has not seen a lot of love. The guy owes a buddy of mine $1700 and that's what I offered him. Oh Noooo, he sees them for $2500-$3500 in ads all the time. He's had it for sale for a couple of months and other than me, zero offers. Just as well, I can't find time to fix the broken crap I have now.

 

[mrtwowheel]

I'm disappointed, business is business, old lady or not.

 

[bosco659]

They're coming to get it back. they pick up.
I don't need to make a deal bad enough to have an old lady think I've robbed her.
Thanks for all who played along. I'll post a farewell pic.

Well that was a quick turn around. If I were the seller I’d be embarrassed to do that. Wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up on Craigslist.

 

[Mailman]

People confuse sentimental feelings with actual value. The son ( if he ever tries to restore that bike ) is about to learn that the hard way. What I figure will actually happen is the son is going to swear he wants to “ someday “ restore that bike and he will return it to the old lady’s shed to die a slow death. Or worse, he’ll tear it all apart and scatter pieces everywhere before he realizes he’s in over his head.
Honestly I kinda figured you’d be sending that bike back to them after they started squeaking about being taken advantage of. Your sense of honor couldn’t stand that.
As cool as that bike was , you probably saved yourself a headache anyways, trying to source scarce and expensive parts.
You’re a good guy Gary.

 

[650Skull]

Very commendable G. bet if it had been a 2 hour trip instead of 20min they wouldn't be so keen to get it back Do they buy back the junk for $75

 

[Kevin Werner]

Agree with the "pound sand" consensus.
Maybe tell the Mom you've cleaned the bike up, tidied up a few things and got it to run. If you want the bike back, there will be a $500 charge attached to it for services rendered. I'd guess that would convince her to tell the son to pound sand.

$500? I don't want to burst your bubble @Jim but PROFESSIONALS Like @gggGary are worth 4 times that just for the consultation 30 minutes. Gary, if things were to get contentious could realisticly ask a lot more. There are not a lot of folks who have an inkling of how to restart an old bike. (All tongue in cheek)

 

[Kevin Werner]

If they have to have it back....I'd say, "See you in court". Principal of the thing you know. Believe a small claims court would award you the bike because of fraud or award you for your trouble. Not your fault, don't be nice.

Problem is, @gggGary is nice!

 

[Kevin Werner]

I arrived late as usual...

 

[atom4488]

They're coming to get it back. they pick up.
I don't need to make a deal bad enough to have an old lady think I've robbed her.
Thanks for all who played along. I'll post a farewell pic.

@gggGary, you're clearly a very honourable man! I can see your point, though. If you really got it at an exceptionally low price because of the seller being oblivious to true market value, its fair and reasonable to either agree on an adjusted price or have the seller return the monies paid and recover the item. All these things being said, it still seems to me that the seller(s) had ample time to confer and agree on a price they would be content with.

Something somewhat similar happened locally; a seller offered an item at a price that was maybe a third of market value. The potential buyer had no interest in the item other than to resell it at a profit, but his conscience wouldn't let him take advantage of the seller, who didn't have the wherewithal to correctly price and market his item. I suggested to the buyer that he make the deal with the seller and to agree on a profit-sharing scheme to divvy up any proceeds in excess of the asking price. Make any sense?

 

[Kevin Werner]

I really did want to see a short running video and write up from @gggGary on this bike, but "I Dream of Genie" fantasies not withstanding, I remain frustrated.

 

[Its been a long time]

I had a feeling this was going to happen. Hence my earlier post about "you've got my number". I would do exactly the same myself, I don't want some hick bad mouthing me.

Odds on by the weekend the son will have that bike for sale again.

A shame, but that's life

 

[Raymond]

Odds on by the weekend the son will have that bike for sale again.

Probably put it on sale for what it's 'really' worth, receive no offers, decide he's gonna fix it himself, with no idea what's involved, ends up abandoned & forgotten in the lock-up again. It's a shame for all parties.

 

[Its been a long time]

Probably put it on sale for what it's 'really' worth, no offers, decide he's gonna fix it himself, with no idea what's involved, ends up abandoned & forgotten in the lock-up again. It's a shame for all parties.

A highly likely scenario. Unfortunate, but the son probably sees a pristine show grade Trident for sale and does the sums. He sees a big gap. But he doesn't yet realise that the probable cost of rebuilding the tatty Trident to the same show quality standard is likely 2x the gap.

Happens all the time and the world might lose that Trident forever.

(My XS650 by the time I am done is going to likely be a £5k bike that's worth £3k. Good thing I don't do it for the money).

 

[Adamc]

Yeah my two cents is the son is an A-hole for doing that to his mom.
Hopefully he'll realize how bad that came out for her and apologize. He lives 10 minutes from the storage shed and 20 from my house.
He's been in on this whole deal the "lost key" was in his possession, known they've been wanting to clean out the storage unit for years..
I DO NOT not need a needy Triumph and am not hard to deal with.
The original "lead" was a guy knew a woman that just wanted an old bike "out of the shed".
Buell's loaded with the camping gear and I've got to stop adding crap. I'm outta here for a day or so.

Just put it behind you and enjoy the time on your Buell. I'll have a beer to celebrate!

 

[Adamc]

I had a feeling this was going to happen. Hence my earlier post about "you've got my number". I would do exactly the same myself, I don't want some hick bad mouthing me.

Odds on by the weekend the son will have that bike for sale again.

A shame, but that's life

Sadly that SOB will still bad mouth our honourable Gary around his local. Words like "My mom was almost swindled out of a priceless bike" "Lucky I stepped in to save the day" Etc. Bloke needs castrating; and then hung, drawn and quartered before setting alight whilst still alive, then feed the remains to a Komodo Dragon!

 

[Raymond]

Sadly that SOB will still bad mouth our honourable Gary around his local. Words like "My mom was almost swindled out of a priceless bike" "Lucky I stepped in to save the day" Etc. Bloke needs castrating; and then hung, drawn and quartered before setting alight whilst still alive, then feed the remains to a Komodo Dragon!

Maybe a little bit harsh just for being at worst maybe a pillock?

 

[jetmechmarty]

No kidding. Something is wrong with those people. If I sell something or give a gift. It belongs to the new owner. He may do whatever he pleases with it. That’s how it is. If they’re doing you a favor, well good.

 

[gggGary]

I offered to do the selling as is for the best I can get out of it, she gets most of the money. Well see how this goes. No reason to drag it around here n there to do a sale.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I offered to do the selling as is for the best I can get out of it, she gets most of the money. Well see how this goes. No reason to drag it around here n there to do a sale.

You’re over the top. Turning the other cheek.

 

[atom4488]

I offered to do the selling as is for the best I can get out of it, she gets most of the money. Well see how this goes. No reason to drag it around here n there to do a sale.

At this point, just sit back and wait for them to turn up with cash to recover the bike. I think the odds that they don't show are better than 50/50.