My hand was forced, and I had to sell my XJ

I couldn't have been more distraught over a painful decision like this. But, sometimes we have no choice and the needs of my family overcame my personal desire to own my bike any longer.
No one asked me to sell it. My kids loved it and were more upset that it's gone than I was. Although, I was in knots over it. My kids will never know why I did.
A few months ago, my brother was in dire straits and needed financial help. Being a good brother, I took his wife's and his word that I would be paid back in a timely manner in full. I took their promise as collateral, and loaned them a large sum of money. As the date approached, I started calling to remind them, and they said no problem. Cool. Well, the day came and passed... nothing. Well, as time went on, some things that I needed to take care of came due, and I called and texted to remind them that I needed the money ASAP. I told them why, and, again, I was assured they would be able to pay me back on their payday. That was monday. Wednesday, the piper came calling for what I owed. Nothing from my brother. So, I called my wife and told her that if I didnt get anything from them by Thursday, I would have to sell my bike to pay for what we needed to cover.
She begged me not to. She hates my bike. She shuddered when I brought it home. She shuddered every time I got on it. She worried about getting "that phone call". Yet, she knew that my passion for it was unmatched and my blood, sweat and tears that I put into it made me smile like the day my son was born. She understood why I loved working on it.
All wednesday night, she begged me to find another way to come up with the money we needed. I had no alternatives. So, Thursday, I posted an ad on the local Craigslist. Within 30 minutes, I had countless replies. I am giving my phone number and address to people in email while my wife is calling and asking me to keep finding ways not to sell it. Within an hour, it was sold.
The guy I sold it to was going to give it to his son. After he heard me fire it up, his cold stare at the bike became an instant smile and a "WOW"!
at that moment I knew he would keep it and find another one for his son. Later that night, I delivered it (I worked it out so I could drive it yesterday afternoon and after dinner for the last ride on my beloved XJ).
I called my brother at work (yes, the one that owes me) and told him to meet me to do something. I never told him why. He followed me to the guy's house and immediately asked why we were there. I handed him my helmet and glasses and told him I didnt need them anymore. I told him it wasn't mine anymore and that I had to sell it for the sake of my family.
He immediately jumped out of his car and begged me not to do it. I told him it was too late because I had already signed the title and got paid.
I made my brother drive me home and it was dead silence the whole way.
I cried. I cried like a little boy just lost his puppy. My work, my time and my love was gone. I woke up this morning and went on the porch just to see if I was dreaming it all up. the bike wasnt there.
This winter, I will spend all my time finding another one like it. This spring, I will have another 85 or 86 XJ in my garage. I do not want another bike. I have learned so much from everyone here. XJ's are all I know and they are all I want to own. The power, the precision, the whistle at 3k and reliability are in my blood.
Don't fret. I will be here everyday trying to help where I can and enjoying the great people on this site. If it weren't for this site, I never would have been able to enjoy the time I was on 2 wheels as much as I did.

 

Sorry to hear you had to sell the bike. Helping your brother was a noble gesture. Things usually have a way of working out and I'll bet there's another XJ in the garage before long and you'll be back in the saddle.

 

thanks, Carl...
There is one on CL already... an X of all models, but I wont be in the market for a few months.
I am going to look high and low for an 85 or 86. I hope it's one that needs some TLC so I can put my mark on it

 

Sorry to hear about your loss brother! Mine isn't in quite the shape yours is, but i'm sure in a few more months i'll be just as attached. I've got a few in-laws like that too. I've just been lucky that I haven't needed the cash during the years of chasing it down.

I'm sure when you get another it will end up awesome too!

 

That's sad to hear. Hope you work things out with your brother.
Can I suggest you search for a 900 to "save" ??
It's more rare, and more powerful, and so more rewarding.

 

If I have a chance to get one, I will. an 85 or 86 is always going to be my first choice, but I have a feeling a 900 and 1100 will be tucked in my garage, too, someday.

 

There is a sure fire way to never be disappointed when loaning money to friends and family members. I have used this technique over the years and it has worked for me every time.

1.) NEVER loan more money than you are willing to give free to the person borrowing it

2.) NEVER expect to get the money back. If you do get the money back consider it a double gift

3.) NEVER loan money if there is potential for screwing up a friendship. Better to just say you don't have it to loan than to loan the person money and lose the friendship because they feel bad they can't repay you

REAL people don't borrow money from friends/family expecting to not pay it back but often, once the crises is over and the pressure is off, priorities change a little and pay back is often delayed or put off forever.

Helm, sorry for your loss but somewhere out there is an abused, neglected XJ needing a quality loving home to bring it back to life.

Be strong when you select your new bike and NEVER, EVER, EVER look into that big sad neglected headlight until you have made all of your pre-purchase checks. If you do you might make the wrong decision based on pity instead of hard facts.

Walk in peace (since your dickweed brother stole your bike) and know there is another XJ on your horizon.

Loren

 

Sorry for your loss, I hope your brother feels bad, I have family that I have lost for and I know how it feels, but it won't be long and you will be back in the saddle and loving another xj!!
Shaun

 

Thats just too damn bad

 

Helmet,

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I can imagine it was a really tough decision. But, you are the man!

What separates men from boys, is the huevos to do the right thing, regardless of how it may pain you.

You helped out your brother when you really didn't have the expendable resources to do so, that's quite admiral!

You then, had to do the right thing, and sell you beloved XJ to meet your commitments, more than your brother was willing to do. Again, quite admirable.

You gave another person a gift, by sharing your XJ with someone who will really appreciate it. Once again, quite admirable.

You are a winner in my book, brother! You will be rewarded!

More people should be like you!

greg

 

Hmmm..... I notice your brother still has his car.....I can't say I would be able to talk to mine in this circumstance.

Good luck in finding another

 

Loren- sound advice and noted.
Schooter- check your PM
Shaun- I am still talking to him and reminding him and his wife daily of what I had to do.
Greg- well said and thank you.
Markie- I am already looking although I probably wont buy one till winter has set in and I have less desire to put it on the road before it is ready.

 

Amen. That was brutal dude; hopefully you can recover quickly.

Start looking for the replacement now. Just watch CL, you'll never know what will pop up. There are members who have gotten really nice bikes for FREE (or next to it) as a result of all sorts of interesting coincidences.

You needed a new project anyway.

 

wasnt quite done with my project but it was getting close, fitz.
i am already working with one member on a 700, but it's quite a ways away. a beauty of a bike though.

 

I told my wife about the offer of another bike and she loves the idea minus the travel to get it.
I will have to work on it

 

Sorry to hear about your loss Helmet. I went through the same thing earlier this summer when I had to sell the Shadow my son and I brought back to life...I feel your pain. Every time my computer background pics get to the Shadow in their rotation, I wonder what she's doin' now.. lol
My bet is that your next bike, when finished, will surpass your previous one. Since you have more knowledge on what you can do....you'll push the envelope and take your new one a little farther Good luck in your search!!

 

I will definitely find one to bring to life. it was a lot of fun fixing the last one, so I know I will prefer finding one that needs some help

 

Ya know, guys local to you can't clue you in on that great deal unless- - -

We Know Where You Live !!!

:roll: :lol:

 

I figured most people here knew... I said it quite often
I live in the KC area

 

Is that Kornfield County ??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hee_Haw

 

:lol:

nah, Kansas City... sometimes it feels like Hee_Haw

 

-snip- Sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I was going to avoid saying this, but I agree. Bringing in your brother like that was, IMNSHO, a stroke of genius. Now you've got the guilt factor going.

Let your brother do the traveling to pick it up. For that matter, he can buy the bike.

Hey, Grandpaw... what's fer supper??

 

schmuck-
my wife actually said that having him go with me without telling him why was brilliant and cold at the same time. its always easy to tell people why you had to do something, but having them go through it is another level of guilt altogether.
i told my brother about the bike, and he offered to drive to get it. Of course, this was after I gave him 3 bags of groceries from my house so he and his wife could eat.

 

It seems your brother is in more financial trouble than you can help him with!

 

they are in trouble, but it's something they can get out of if they make some simple changes

 

I hope your brother does appreciate what you did for him. Hopefully he will realise this and be able to turn things around.

It is a very difficult call and you should be applauded for doing what you did.

I promise I won't say any more!!

 

Helmet, that is some shady crap on the part of your brother, and you're a much bigger man than I am. If you find anything in NE or IA you'd like looked at send me a message.

 

Thanks Jon,
I have some leads that I hope will pan out later this year.

 

Dang helmet, that totally sucks. But it goes to show what an awesome human bean you are. The fact that you are still talking to and helping your brother is probably more than I could do so soon after having to do what you did. If he's not making any changes to help get himself out of the predicament he's in, I'd be opting for the tough love approach myself. But that's just me, I'm kind of a beeaatch sometimes :evil:

Good luck on finding a replacement over the winter (or sooner).

 

Thanks Mom!

My mom taught me that you help others in need and your reward will come later. It's easy to replace friends, but you can replace family. no matter how bad it gets, family will always be there.

 

Not sure how your leads are progressing, but did bike did come up on Craigslist over the weekend here in Omaha, NE.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/mcy/1406109355.html

 

nuwin,
I would love to have that bike. I know where I can get a motor for it!
I emailed just in case I can work something out.

 

Ok Bud, was that a Freudian slip or what? "It's easy to replace friends, but you can replace family. no matter how bad it gets, family will always be there

OK now I'm officially pissed off :twisted: and bummed out!!! :cry: I will start the search for a "new" project for you. 8O Until then, can I interest you perhaps in a Honda CT70 clone? really I have 2!!


(joke in poor taste but you busted my balls so badly about my magenta bike!!)

Seriously folks, lets find this man another project!!

Helmet if I can help in any way contact me.

 

your bike is pink...
it's okay though, I have some leads on bikes and I refuse to let this setback keep me from getting more... notice, I said more, not "another"
I will get another 85 and hopefully a couple more good deals that I can convince the wife are worth fixing up.

 

Ok so it's pink NOW. Thats only because it is so damn fast it faded the paint from red!! :mrgreen: