October 9, 2012 11:20 AM PDT
Here's the story. Last year a bro came across a 1974 shovelhead, complete but not together. Supposedly motor had been reworked. The bike just needed to be put together. The dude wanted 2 grand for it so I loaned my bro 2 grand.
He wanted to make it a bobber, which he has done. After getting it fired up it needs a bit more work; tranny work to be sure and it leaks lots of oil. Gaskets sitting over time does that. Anyway, he gave me the last of what he owed me and said he couldn't afford to finish the bike.
The deal. He said, "I'll just give you the bike, you pay for the repairs needed, I get to do the work and no labor charges". So basically he's got 2 grand invested already. I'm thinkin' to myself, "Yeah, I'll take the bike". But I'm also thinking my bro "knows shovelheads inside and out and he's the dude you'd have work on 'em" if ya needed to. But, I'll probably die of old age before any work gets done. No!!! I don't get the bike unless he's able to do the work. He just loves to tinker and that's what he wants to do, tinker. He's had his own '74 forever and that's his only motorcycle.
I'm up in the air about this offer of his. I have no doubt about his skills but once he's done, I'm taking the bike and that could just play hard on our friendship. Hell, I had no problem loaning him the money in the first place. I knew he'd eventually pay it back but in reality, I don't loan money unless I have it to lose and if by some chance or misfortune on his part that he couldn't have paid me back, it really wouldn't have strained our friendship on my part. It's just a thing.
I'm not sure how much more money it will take to get this bike up and running. I know I'm lookin' at a grand on the tranny, maybe more. Any thoughts? I mean I'd rather do the work on it myself but that won't be part of the deal.
Peace