Sold One, Bought One

I put the Triumph Trophy for sale, advertising it as an unfinished project bike, and listed all of the issues I had been unable to resolve. Within hours, I received multiple texts, emails, and phone calls on the bike. I was amazed. In the jostling to be the first one to my house with cash, a guy from Lawrenceville, the next town over from us, came by, ready to pay full price to take it home. Turns out, he's dealt with electrical on several motorcycles before, knows automotive and motorcycle wiring diagrams, and even has experience with front fork seal jobs. Not only that, he's about 6'2", perfectly sized for this bike. And he informed me he was a Christian. I told him, "You were meant to own this bike!" So the Triumph has found a new home.

Within a week, a friend had recommended me to his uncle, who needed help selling a couple of bikes in his garage- a 2003 Honda Shadow ACE 750, and a 1981 Suzuki GS850L. I took pictures of both bikes, and gathered info on both to develop ads. About the old Suzuki, he quipped, "I have no idea what it's worth. Heck, I'd take a couple hundred just to get it out of my basement." I replied, "I'd be interested in it for that, to try my hand at it, see what I can do." He responded, "Shoot, I'll sell it to you for $125." I was thrilled, and quickly returned with cash and trailer.

So now I've set to work on this old classic, alongside the '82 Honda Nighthawk long-termer I'm tinkering with as well. He seems to have taken pretty good care of the old Suzuki, so it might not take a lot of work to get it road-ready again.
Kinda cool, having a pair of old 80s era bikes in the "shop" at the same time. Lord willin', we'll get them running and get them sold soon.

Waving the White Flag

Alas, After countless hours, many attempts, and several hundred dollars, I have "waved the white flag" on the Triumph Trophy. Even with my father's capable help, we have been unable to resolve the electrical issues. In fact, not only has the bike reverted to it's original problem of engine kills when a gear is engaged, but now the headlight won't come on, the rear brake won't illuminate, and the left front fork leaks when compressed.

Time to wash my hands, acknowledge defeat.
I put the bike up for sale Friday night, with the intent of just getting my money back out of it, plus a little extra for my (foiled) efforts. The bike immediately got hits, and by Saturday afternoon, was sold, for my asking price. I've never had a motorcycle sell so quickly.
In so many ways, the transaction was "a God thing". The buyer, Robert, was from one town over in Lawrenceville, about 9 miles away. He was a large man, about 6'2", perfect size for such a tall and heavy motorcycle. He has extensive experience with electrical issues in automobiles, so he felt confident eh could chase down the problems. When I told him about the fork seal, he replied, "I'm helping a friend rebuild the front forks on his Harley, so I'm ok with this." To top it all off, he told me he was a Christ-follower, after I told him I helped pastor a small church part-time. So I'm very happy the bike went to someone who will more likely be able to fix the issues, and we share a common faith.
I trailered the bike back to his house for him, and after off-loading it, told him, "When you get her running, give me a call, and we'll take our Triumphs for a ride."
This was my first "fail" at fixing and flipping a motorcycle, but I take consolation in the knowledge that I got my money back, the bike is in very capable hands, and I made a new friend.
A pretty good return.