The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Chat, Offtopic & Everything Else => Topic started by: Greybeard on 07.01. 2023 11:04
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So, my GF is going to be sold. What advice can you give me about selling a classic motorbike. If anyone here is interested in the bike please contact me.
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I like "CarandClassic" for selling bikes, if the OC doesn't get any takers.
Ebay is quick and easy too, and the bike will be sold in a week although you may have to suffer the usual "what colour is the tank"? "will you ship to Nigeria?" and "swap for a Yamakusiki 125?" and similar half-witted crap.
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OC being 'Offtopic Chat'?
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Could mean "owners club". Have you not got a child's garage you can discreetly store the bike for a few months? If you can afford it of course. Gives you the option of selling at a better price and or changing mind after ownership of new one. Just a thought, when it's gone, it's gone. I know you and the bike have a long history. Maybe you thinking you gonna be riding a bit less in the future, can see how a modern can be more easily ignored for months at a time. Is your intention to continue attending the owner club rallies? I'm sure you would be very welcome and generate alot of interest?
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GB....How many times have bikes featured in magazine tests only for a footnote at the end to say the bike is for sale at....? Emily has a tale to tell so worth a bit of below the line advertising if you can stand the hassle. Any chance the new machine will never actually come? If you don't need the funds to punt on the new venture I'm sure the big Pyramid Conference Centre at Bickenhill *would only be too pleased to give it a dry berth and give you some time to consider your options. The middle of winter is a bad time to sell, but a great time to buy, there will be more punters when the sun shines.
If using ebay it's definitely Cash on Collection, and be very discreet about revealing addresses and contact details.
Swarfy.
PS.* Looks like those folks are having a raffle for your new bike...
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OC being 'Offtopic Chat'?
Owners Club. I assumed (probably wrongly) that you'd be a member. They're usually a good way to get rid of a bike to like-minded enthusiasts though.
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I like "CarandClassic"....
I've contacted Car and Classic. After seeing my photos of the bike and a quick life story the contact at C&C says he is happy to set the reserve price for my bike at £6.5k. They are going to send out a photographer to get good images. I need to replace the dynamo belt pulley before I let the bike go. Waiting to hear from Stephen McFarlane who now sells the belt kits.
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Crossed wires here GB I think.
CarandClassic is an on-line advert site for old cars and bikes. You write your ad, post your pics and that's it, job done and no charge.
Are you selling it through their auction or something?
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C&C auction commission fees are £350 (+VAT) for bikes or 5% + Vat whichever is greater - Too much in my opinion - be aware G.B.
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A modern bike is just something to go for a ride on. A classic has that plus many other attributes. How often would one go to the shed just to admire a modern? Or stand and appreciate the engineering? With a classic there's the nostalgia and a dozen other things to enjoy, even the personality as you ride it. I'm not sure GB has thought this through and it wouldn't surprise me if the Indian semi-replica is for sale before long. *eek*
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C&C auction commission fees are £350 (+VAT) for bikes or 5% + Vat whichever is greater - Too much in my opinion - be aware G.B.
It is going to their auction. If they get top price I can live with the commission charge. There is an additional charge for the photographer but because I'm a member of the VMCC I get very good discount.
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A modern bike is just something to go for a ride on. A classic has that plus many other attributes. How often would one go to the shed just to admire a modern? Or stand and appreciate the engineering? With a classic there's the nostalgia and a dozen other things to enjoy, even the personality as you ride it. I'm not sure GB has thought this through and it wouldn't surprise me if the Indian semi-replica is for sale before long. *eek*
Here is my thinking: For many years I kept our old 4 wheelers going. Eventually we inherited some money that allowed us to buy a brand,(characterless) new car. Oh the joy of not having to worry about getting the darn car going again or getting it through its annual test. That is where I want to be with my motorbike. I just want to get on and ride. I no longer enjoy tinkering.
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All I can say is this GB. When I realised my engine needed a rebuild, and before Bergs found the horrors dwelling therein, I honestly thought about selling the GF. I bought the Kwaka as a 'dependable' so I could go out for rides whilst the Beeza was off the road - I like being on the road more than in the garage. As Bergs put the motor together, I was torn between getting rid of it whilst it was running and riding it until whenever.
Then I sat down and thought - why do I like bikes and why did I buy the Beeza? The answer, in the end, was simple. The Beeza connects me with something past, interesting, unpredictable and exciting. As Bergs put it, 'it puts a different smile on yer face', and he's right. It may be that the beast will kick me in the wallet again, and I may not be able to afford to put it right straightaway, but I feel I want to perservere with it because it isn't perfect, I've put a lot of blood, sweat, tears and cash into it, and I love the way it looks, feels and sounds. I guess for me, and many others, there's a sort of bond/sentimentality/commitment, maybe even emotion to having something special like our bikes - maybe we're even unofficial custodians of the marque, and that means something to people like us.
I won't get rid of the Beeza unless something dramatic happens and it totally overrides my choice to keep it. Even then, I do wonder. One thing I don't want is to see it languishing in the garage unridden, when someone else can enjoy it (with all it's issues) as much as I have (and do).
If it does go GB, I hope you never have any regrets about it. I know I regretted seeing my '59 BMW R60 go, and I'd love a chance to have it back. *doubt*
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I went through something very similar about 20 years ago. I sold my Austin Seven that was my first car when I was 17. I'd gradually restored the car over many years, as the money became available. When we had our three children the Austin was unsuitable so sat in the garage not being used. Eventually I made the decision that it would have to go.
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It wouldn't surprise me if the Indian semi-replica is for sale before long. *eek*
If I decide to sell the modern it will be to give up biking 😕
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I have friends who no longer get any pleasure or enjoyment through working on old bikes, and are resorting to moderns to still come out for a ride.
Fair enough, we're all different, but if the greasy spanner bit fails to excite me any more then that'll be the end of my riding.
I rode modern japanese bikes to work every day for decades and excellent machines though they were, machines was all they ever were.
As some clever sod once said, it's the journey not the destination, and that rings true with me.
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I have friends who longer get any pleasure or enjoyment through working on old bikes, and are resorting to moderns to still come out for a ride.
Fair enough, we're all different, but if the greasy spanner bit fails to excite me any more then that'll be the end of my riding.
I rode modern japanese bikes to work every day for decades and excellent machines though they were, machines was all they ever were.
As some clever sod once said, it's the journey not the destination, and that rings true with me.
That's where I am Rex - always the journey, never the destination. I rode Japanese bikes all through my youth, and got attached to some, including my RD350B. The reason why that was special was because it was my first 'bigger' bike at 17, and I had the tank repainted/smartened it up - really liked that bike. Thing is, I was always looking for something a bit different, which is when I found the R60 in an old ladies chicken shed - that really interested me, bringing it back from obscurity, and I loved that bike. Similar to the Beeza, found in an old geezers garage, so this one will stay until the end of my riding days. The Kwacka will see action, but only the times when the GF is off the road, or I need a greater degree of confidence in getting back home after a long run.
Japanese bikes get me on the road riding, the GF sometimes gets me on the road, but when it does, that's where my biking really is. I also like the challenge of fixing things and seeing them work.
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Well, GB, if you ever give up riding you can devote more time to playing with that there lathe of yours, and get your kicks in another way.
Has to be said that I also increasingly like doing things I can do standing up, without all the aches and pains of grambling around at funny angles, and with simple wipe-clean hands.
Mind you . . . when your new baby gets a bit older . . . if you keep it . . . you'll have to go, Omigod, a bit metric!
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Neil that little Austin seven... My good ol' mate Allan Card and his pal Richard drove one of those overland from GB to Oz back in the 50's or early 60's.
They are both big guys. At Allan's funeral just the other day, a local feller drove his Austin seven right into the hall in Ballarat.
At one point in Melbourne, Allan was missing his family in England and he suggested to Richard that they go back for a visit, so they did, - and went via South America in the little Austin ! Richard still has the car.
They don't make 'em like that anymore do they... men or machine!
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I know many of you have modern bikes. I presume you get pleasure riding them.
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I know many of you have modern bikes. I presume you get pleasure riding them.
You're right GB, although I would imagine the real passion lies with the peculiarities of older machines using technology long since past. I, for example, have the Kwaka, which is a really, really nice bike to ride, and it has characteristics a little more in line with the Beeza. Apart from a Yam XS650, I wouldn't have considered anything else (possibly an old BMW??). The difference - the Kwaka is a (good) copy of the old Brit twins, but isn't one - like your new bike. Having something obsolete and quirky is what makes biking fun for many on this forum.
I suppose when you see the many, faceless, super-reliable, plastic clad Japanese machines on the road today, it just doesn't inspire some people to ride them, they just don't have any character although I think the Kwaka has more than some. I guess that people on this Forum want to ride something that has character, age, pedigree, etc, and that's all part of the experience. Having said that, things do change in life, and being on two wheels is better than retiring to the car. *eek* *eek* *eek* *eek* *eek*
Cheers GB
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This is probably my main motivation for parting with my bike:
If the 70 year old conrods on my GF were to go walkies I know that I would not be willing to go through the pain and expense of repairing the bike; it would probably sit in my shed until I passed away and someone would have to sell it for spares. Better to sell the bike while it is still glorious and let someone else take care of it.
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This is probably my main motivation for parting with my bike:
If the 70 year old conrods on my GF were to go walkies I know that I would not be willing to go through the pain and expense of repairing the bike; it would probably sit in my shed until I passed away and someone would have to sell it for spares. Better to sell the bike while it is still glorious and let someone else take care of it.
Very fair point *respect*
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If the 70 year old conrods on my GF were to go walkies I know that I would not be willing to go through the pain and expense of repairing the bike; it would probably sit in my shed until I passed away and someone would have to sell it for spares. Better to sell the bike while it is still glorious and let someone else take care of it.
Understood - but a pair of new Thunder rods and a day fitting them (don't forget the crank needs re-balancing as those rods are heavier) would be cheaper than a new bike! And you'd still have your pride and joy, but without the worry. Twas why I took mine apart again to fit new rods, as everytime I rode it I was waiting for the bang.
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I no longer enjoy tinkering.
This is the one statement that is really sticking with me. Hard to get around it, even as your friends here try to encourage you stick with the common binding element, our A7's and A10's. RD's point about Thunder rods is a symptomatic solution, but it flies right in the eye of anti-tinkering. Neil, I hope I don't really need to say this, but if we could order you to do one thing (assuming you go through with the sale) it would be to stick with us even if your direct interest diminishes. Others have done it, Erling comes to mind, though I'm not saying his interest has diminished, just his riding.
Richard L.
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After 12 years on the Forum, and well over 8k posts, I think you'll be a honourary lifetime member without much complaint I'll wager!
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Gee, thanks guys 😘.
I don't think I can just walk away from this forum; I consider you to be my friends. To those who find my constant input annoying, I'm sorry but I enjoy it here.
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Make sure you stick around....you might need this place when sometime down the line you think you need another A series in your life... ;)
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GB has the new bike got a sludge trap? *beer* *lol*
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GB has the new bike got a sludge trap? *beer* *lol*
🤔
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Sorry Niel, ive not been around much recently due to spending way too much time working to pay the ever increasing bills. I seem to have missed some goings on. What are you swapping that beautiful old flash for? You fancy a new Goldie?
I do know what you mean about the tinkering, I've got a big old list of stuff to do but very little time, and pretty much no motivation to spend any time on the floor of my very cold garage.
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Many 0f us ol' bastards are facing a similar fate. I've spent about 35 years building my RGS pretender starting with just a (very shagged) grasstracker engine. And she's finally finished, -well these things are never REALLY finished are they? There's always another little tweak we can do. But now, I'm afraid that I might never get to ride it on the roads 'in anger'. Yes she hauls up and down the long driveway beautifully. The JVC carb is a revelation after about 4 dismal Amal attempts. The body is failing.
BUT... I'm not going to sell the bastard!!! Even if it's just so I can walk past it in the workshop everyday and feel the love... It's staying put!!!
The older I get, the less important money is. (And I'm very very far from well-off).
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Sorry Niel, ive not been around much recently due to spending way too much time working to pay the ever increasing bills. I seem to have missed some goings on. What are you swapping that beautiful old flash for? You fancy a new Goldie?
I do know what you mean about the tinkering, I've got a big old list of stuff to do but very little time, and pretty much no motivation to spend any time on the floor of my very cold garage.
Yes Minto, I'm buying a new Legacy model Gold Star. I want a bike that will be easy to live with. The GF has to go because I do not have room for two machines. The money from the old bike will go towards the new bike.
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GB put the GF on show in the house , if the trouble and strife doesn't like it trade her in *lol* *lol*
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GB put the GF on show in the house , if the trouble and strife doesn't like it trade her in *lol* *lol*
I was gonna say Bergs, if I'd wanted an easy life, I probably should have never married. Having said that, being married and having old bikes have something going for them both. *smile* *eek* Can't fault GB's logic though.
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Many 0f us ol' bastards are facing a similar fate. I've spent about 35 years building my RGS pretender starting with just a (very shagged) grasstracker engine. And she's finally finished, -well these things are never REALLY finished are they? There's always another little tweak we can do. But now, I'm afraid that I might never get to ride it on the roads 'in anger'. Yes she hauls up and down the long driveway beautifully. The JVC carb is a revelation after about 4 dismal Amal attempts. The body is failing.
BUT... I'm not going to sell the bastard!!! Even if it's just so I can walk past it in the workshop everyday and feel the love... It's staying put!!!
The older I get, the less important money is. (And I'm very very far from well-off).
Can't fault you either mate!
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I can't imagine selling the Flash after 50 years of ownership. It's such a good-handling good-performing reliable bike (first kick starter as well) that the empty space in the shed would just be too much. It's a machine I have full confidence in to get me where I'm going with no hassle or problems. A keeper.
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I can't imagine selling the Flash after 50 years of ownership. It's such a good-handling good-performing reliable bike (first kick starter as well) that the empty space in the shed would just be too much. It's a machine I have full confidence in to get me where I'm going with no hassle or problems. A keeper.
I guess you know where your bikes been over the last 50 years, so have full confidence in it!
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GB put the GF on show in the house , if the trouble and strife doesn't like it trade her in *lol* *lol*
I'm pretty sure she's out of guarantee. 😕
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I'm in the middle of washing Emily for a professional photo shoot tomorrow. She just looks gorgious all wet and sexy.
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You have to be some sort of machine, GB, to not fall in love all over again - lovely bike! Either that or a totally heartless SOAB, I favour the former over the latter, by the way. Just hard to part with a work of art that's shared your life for so long - or have I oversentimentalised that by a long way?
TBH, I'm now not sure if you're going to trade in the wife for a newer model as well - seems to be what you want. *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *fight* *beer* *beer*
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TBH, I'm now not sure if you're going to trade in the wife for a newer model as well - seems to be what you want. *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *fight* *beer* *beer*
Make me an offer 🤔
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TBH, I'm now not sure if you're going to trade in the wife for a newer model as well - seems to be what you want. *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *fight* *beer* *beer*
Make me an offer 🤔
Bike or wife?? *eek* *eek* *grins* *grins*
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Sounds good yeh?
https://youtube.com/shorts/IaquqCcZ0kQ?feature=share
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TBH, I'm now not sure if you're going to trade in the wife for a newer model as well - seems to be what you want. *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *fight* *beer* *beer*
Make me an offer 🤔
Bike or wife?? *eek* *eek* *grins* *grins*
For one of those options I might pay you 🤗
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TBH, I'm now not sure if you're going to trade in the wife for a newer model as well - seems to be what you want. *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *fight* *beer* *beer*
Make me an offer 🤔
Bike or wife?? *eek* *eek* *grins* *grins*
For one of those options I might pay you 🤗
😎😁
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Sounds good yeh?
https://youtube.com/shorts/IaquqCcZ0kQ?feature=share
Beautiful, how can you not like that. By the way GB, how many miles did you do on it.
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Sounds good yeh?
https://youtube.com/shorts/IaquqCcZ0kQ?feature=share
Beautiful, how can you not like that. By the way GB, how many miles did you do on it.
Mileage is a tricky question. The speedo has been reset and anyway for a long time the odometer wasn't working. I reckon the bike had done something like 35k miles when I bought it in 1972; then it was off the road for 36 years. Since I restored the bike 10 years ago, I estimate I may have added 10k miles. I consider the bike to be very low mileage given it's calender age. The engine matches the frame. Pistons are +30, big-ends are -20. That work was done before I bought the bike.
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I met Sally, a freelance photographer this morning at a beautiful gothic hotel and park. No rain this morning and some sunshine but it was darned cold riding the bike. Sally must have taken a hundred photos of my Emily which looked pretty stunning in that environment. I'll show you some of the pictures when I get them.
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Some of the multitude of photo's Sally took of my bike.
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G'day GB.
Emily looks a million dollars.
Best advice = don't do it!
Cheers
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G'day GB.
Emily looks a million dollars.
Best advice = don't do it!
Cheers
Hi fella, I see from FaceAche that you and Mrs Musky are crook. I hope you get over it quickly.
I'll accept a million dollars for the bike. Do you need my bank details?
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You can do two things GB, sell Emily or sell your soul to the Devil - the latter may be preferable in my mind. >:D *evil* *dunno* *dunno* *rant* *sarcastic* *whistle* *whistle* *fight* *beer* *beer* *beer*
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GB, Is Sally married.? Members would be very interested. *wink2*
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That second shot is great, really shows her curves and assets. Im going ti screenshot that for a drawing when i get chance.
Damn she's fine looking.
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GB, Is Sally married.? Members would be very interested. *wink2*
Sally was a very attractive lady. She told me she and her husband are soon to move to Sydney to be near her son and his young family.
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Hi Minto, I thought you meant Sally for a second ;D
Col
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This is a really 'left-field' suggestion, financial considerations aside. I've run out of space so I'm lending one of my bikes to a guy who has recently started turning up at our club as he is a close friend of one of our members. He doesn't have a BSA or classic bike at all but loves the atmosphere and enjoys the rides, even though he comes on a modern. He is tempted to buy a classic but probably doesn't want to commit until he's sure he can get on with one. So, I'm lending him my trusty old black A10 for the season to see how he gets on with it. This will also create a bit of space in the garage for me to get on with this year's project, my 1956 Road Rocket. Maybe it's something you could consider.
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That's a great idea. Yes it's not about the money is it?... it's passing on some of the 'soul' we lucky fools have absorbed through our old metal fettling adventures. - To someone who may become infected by it. SUFFER FOOLS... There's no antidote!
Ain't it good!
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That's a great idea. Yes it's not about the money is it?... it's passing on some of the 'soul' we lucky fools have absorbed through our old metal fettling adventures. - To someone who may become infected by it. SUFFER FOOLS... There's no antidote!
Ain't it good!
Damn right - the addiction is eating into my pension funds *eek* *eek* Better keep the wife working, eh. *eek* *eek* *eek*
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... I'm lending him my trusty old black A10 for the season..
Maybe it's something you could consider.
I do not want to have to work on the bike any more. Someone else riding my bike, and possibly thrashing the nuts off it, would increase my stress levels 100%.
Despite hopefully having a lucky windfall* I cannot justify spending £7k on myself.
*My wife and I have shares in Sun Life of Canada. We received an offer, below the listed share price, to buy the shares. I think the offer may be something like part of a takeover bid. The offer made me think about selling the shares myself at current price rather than the offer price. I've initiated the sale. We'll see how it goes. 🤞
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Better keep the wife working, eh. *eek* *eek* *eek*
Where does she stand? 😜
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Better keep the wife working, eh. *eek* *eek* *eek*
Where does she stand? 😜
Usually at the kitchen sink mate *eek* *eek* *fight* *fight* *fight* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle*
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Better keep the wife working, eh. *eek* *eek* *eek*
Where does she stand? 😜
Usually at the kitchen sink mate *eek* *eek* *fight* *fight* *fight* *whistle* *whistle* *whistle*
She will not earn much money there 😜
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Heh, washing up at the local takeaway earns quite a bit for 18 hour shifts *eek* *eek*
Seriously, I've said she's free to give up work if she wants, doesn't bother me, but she likes to have some 'nice' things and we'd have to cut back if she did. I've always been an advocate of women's equality, and I'm putting that fine principle into action. Have my own, separate 'fund' for the bikes, so should see me through a few more years. Don't really think of what may happen for the next 10 years or so - anything could happen and I want to enjoy life and bikes right now.
Watch out for a crowdfunding appeal soon!! *bright idea* *good3*
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Hey GB,
How did Sally get the sun to shine.
I thought you were under three feet of snow over there.
cheers
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Who's Sally?? *dunno* *dunno*
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And what snow?
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Who's Sally?? *dunno* *dunno*
The photographer.
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Hey GB,
How did Sally get the sun to shine.
I thought you were under three feet of snow over there.
cheers
It happened to be a bright but cold day 🔆❄️
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Who's Sally??
Reminds me of 'who the f*** is Alice' (Smokey)
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With Chubby Brown?
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RD "whos Sally"
When we moved into our present home 11 yrs ago we were met by 6 of the nicest neighbours you could wish to meet ,at our first "Invite" for a few drinks and snacks we were on our best behaviour (as you'd expect ) and so the night progressed until about 11pm when that song was played and at this point in the lyrics the 3 other guys suddenly shouted that out ,"Alice alice ,who the f**k is Alice " I haven,t laughed so much in years even the ladies were in pleats ,really broke the ice RIP Brian never forget that night.
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TD Sounds like a solid good neighbourhood.
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There absolutely barmy Minto .