|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 18:51:36 GMT
Guys I know I've been quiet of late and there's a reason fo that, I've reached an impass. NNR's rebuild has been a fabulous experience but I'm at a point where I'm deciding what to do next. She sits in my garage covered in blankets and is essentially a collection of NOS parts used to regain my youth, well I'm passed that now and I need to make a decision about her future.
I could sell her as a bike but I don't think I'd see a fraction of what I spent in return. I could sell the NOS parts and retain the engine, frame and registration, in effect preserving her for all time! That way I would stand a chance of breaking even, NOS parts are always in demand.
I don't expect I will ride/show her because my lifestyle is just not conducive. What spare time I have I spend with the family and I have other interests and passions calling me!!
I really don't know what to do, I've agonised over this for months. I just don't see the point of keeping her under wraps because my OCD won't let me ride her. I just fancy a ride similar to RMM that I can just get on and ride without the worry.
Help please im struggling here....
|
|
|
|
Post by Somersetdreamer on Sept 30, 2015 19:10:59 GMT
I think your bike needs to be kept by you, it was a fantastic story & one of the first that really gripped me when I read it on the old site, I can understand why your OCD won't let you ride it, for what it's worth I think you need a rider SD to fulfil that side of it and your fantastic restoration should be kept by you, just my thoughts  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 19:12:49 GMT
Hi Ian,
Before I give you my take on it, can I ask if it's a financial thing behind you even considering wanting to sell your bike? I mean, are you having to consider this for that reason?
You say you are quiet of late but that part confused me. Hope all is well.
|
|
|
|
Post by grahamb on Sept 30, 2015 19:22:34 GMT
Hi Ian.
A question from me also .
If you had a rider would the life style you mention allow you to ride it anyway and would you.
|
|
|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 19:29:12 GMT
Mate, I'm not in trouble if that's what you mean, that said my "hobbies" need to be self financing to some degree so a bit of financial recycling would be welcome. If I went for option B I could get a rider, for what the exhausts are worth on NNR and just ride the bleddy thing!! Once I ride NNR she becomes a very nice but used bike and the value in her is lost (ish)
I've had some health issues of late mainly aches and pains in knees and back but I'm generally OK in the grand scheme.
NNR is just an expensive ornament in the back of my garage atm and it bothers me a bit...
|
|
|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 19:32:31 GMT
I think so Graham, I could just get on and go when the opportunity presents itself. I just don't get too much me time any more. Bloody work spoils all the fun!!
In truth however, I've lost interest a bit these days so my heads a mess over this....
|
|
|
|
Post by scott on Sept 30, 2015 19:46:47 GMT
lifes too short Ian. get out and ride the thing!!
Its funny, I read a similar thing today in Classic bike mag, one of the writers has just finished restoring a Kawasaki KH250 after a decade of sourcing parts and has the same dilemma - to ride or not to ride? His friend told him to "just take it out in the rain" and I have to say I agree. Once you've gotten it wet once it wont hurt as much after that and you'll eventually hardly think about it. I said my blue SS would never see rain and guess what. with 200 miles on the clock it was out for a 100 miles VMCC run in the pissing rain.
My uncle being diagnosed with terminal cancer at 54 this year has certainly opened my eyes. He had to sell his 14 bike collection far sooner than expected and it made me rethink things a little. You try and keep your bikes as pristine as possible and preserve it for the future - but why? who is going to be there to look after it as you did once your gone? Why should someone else reap the rewards of your hard work. Life is short, you only live once so I say get it out on the road and have as much pleasure from it as you can. Trust me, when people start coming up to you saying how nice your bike is, I had one of them etc etc it'll all makes it worth while.
Whatever you do, please don't break it and sell the parts.
|
|
|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 19:49:07 GMT
I think your bike needs to be kept by you, it was a fantastic story & one of the first that really gripped me when I read it on the old site, I can understand why your OCD won't let you ride it, for what it's worth I think you need a rider SD to fulfil that side of it and your fantastic restoration should be kept by you, just my thoughts Thank you Richard, I really appreciate your kind words. Doing the rebuild was a real pleasure. But it's been a 3 year project and life's moved on I Just need to get on with the next chapter. I think the interest has waned somewhat tbh and I'm in need of something else to do. My horology interests are financially demanding too  ? No firm decision yet but I'm leaning towards selling the parts, keeping the engine and frame as a reminder and moving on... Controversial, I know... |
|
|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 19:51:18 GMT
Oh shit. Sorry Scott? |
|
|
|
Post by stevie on Sept 30, 2015 19:56:18 GMT
Mansell go with your gut as long as its stronger than your heart, only you will know which one.
|
|
|
|
Post by greybeard on Sept 30, 2015 19:56:41 GMT
I am - I am with Scott on this.
Life is too short to worry about such matters. Yes, it cost a bloody fortune to restore. But how much is a membership at a decent golf club these days? And how many rounds of golf would you have to pay for to gain any benefit from the membership?
Keep the bike. She is YOURS. YOU have restored her. she isn't just ANY old Superdream that has been restored. She has HISTORY.
You don't mention if Mrs M is putting the thumbscrews on you to sell, but I doubt it myself. It is just your conscience nagging you.
Ride the bike - even if it is only on fine days. Come to a meet or two - or we will ride down to your place!!!
You need like-minded nutters nearby to light the spark mate!!!
Don't break her. Don't sell her - no-one would look after it as you have done. They would ride it you could bet your life on that. So why let them have the pleasure?
Ride the bike. Enjoy the bike. Enjoy your handiwork.
Just my thoughts mate.....................
|
|
ian
Member Of The Year 2019 
Isle of Man
Posts: 5,400 
mini-profile background: {"image":"","color":"29908d"}
|
Post by ian on Sept 30, 2015 20:04:02 GMT
We're all different, but imho Scott's spot on. If you sold nnr complete or in bits & then went on to source a rider, you'll use up some of the money & quite a bit of time viewing & sourcing one, then you'll start ' improving' bits. In the end, it won't be much different to the devaluation in nnr's value by using it. Plus you'll probably get more pleasure riding it 'cos of it's history. Well, Ian, you did ask  |
|
|
|
Post by mansell on Sept 30, 2015 20:13:14 GMT
We are strange things us humans, I bought a brand new car a few years ago. It was a Saab 93. Sport wagon and the whole experience was actually very disappointing. I worried about where I parked it I was beholden to the garage to maintain the warranty, in short it was a proper liability. My present car is 8 years old, I welly about the narrow Devon lanes and I couldn't give a monkeys, I have it serviced by a local garage and in short I've never been happier. I had a Rolex submariner once, I darent wear the bloody thing for fear of being mugged for it. Now I wear a Grand Seiko, one of the watch worlds best kept secrets, very unassuming but every bit as good as anything the Swiss make, don't take my word for it just google Grand Seiko.
I guess I'm not into "flash" anymore, just something that does the job but stays under the radar, if you have something nice others want to take it from you. Riding a tidy SD or similar is all I need these days I suppose. Scott and Greybeard make an excellent point, I'm just not sure I need it anymore..
|
|
|
|
Post by wazzbo on Sept 30, 2015 20:41:05 GMT
I also agree with Scott, I've spent a fortune on my restoration, and was just going to keep it in the shed and polish it, but the pointlessness of that dawned on me and I now ride it at every opportunity I get. I will continue to keep it as pristine as I can but the pleasure I get from riding overrides the pleasure I get from looking at it in all its glory sat in the shed. I don't think it will be ever be worth the amount of cash I've spent on it so I don't look on it as an investment but a toy to be played with as often as I can. I,m now into my sixtieth year and life is getting shorter, so I intend to ride all my bikes and keep riding until my body won't let me anymore,then perhaps I'll have one in the shed to look at and polish. This is the way I look at it, but we are all different. I'm sure you'll come to the right decision for yourself in the end mansell. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 20:45:21 GMT
I do take the view that the bike should be enjoyed yes - but on fine days only. I think by covering her up all the time you have gone too far and yes it has spoiled your enjoyment. If you have some health problems you won't want to ride her in the rain and cold, I would not have thought......(believe me it's not fun anyway).  Whatever you decide, if you break of sell her, it may be a decision that may come back to haunt you. The ideal solution is to move to a warmer climate abroad and take NNR with you.....and enjoy riding her more than just a few days a year.....it will be good for your bike, your mind and your health. |
|
? No firm decision yet but I'm leaning towards selling the parts, keeping the engine and frame as a reminder and moving on... Controversial, I know... 
