At lost for words.

After contemplating getting a new bike, I came to the conclusion, that we will be together forever, my XJ and I. So I put off the idea of getting a new one. It wasn't like I was going to get rid of her. I was going to save her for those special rides, the day trips, winding roads through the country side, maybe take in a sunset at the lake or two, you know the ones I mean. Use the new bike as my daily commute, weather permitting. Well it all came to a end, although temporarily I hope this morning. You see some low life figured they needed her more than I did. I was in the process of taking my wife to the E R this morning when I discovered her gone. Whats weird is I am not pissed, don't know why. But I am utterly heart broken. My last ride was just last night around 9:30, a nice and cool ride about an hour or two after it rained. Just to get a soda, just me and my XJ. I live in a small town, and when any body saw her, they knew who was riding her, they would wave, toot there horn, flash there lights, just to say hi to the guy on the yellow bike. Any body that came into the store knew I was there to greet them like they was my life long friend, if she was setting out front. She was part of my identity, so some one took part of me away. I am currently using social media to help find her. As last I checked my story has made it as far as South Carolina. So hopefully the out come will be positive, but I am a "Don't count your chicken's till they hatch kind of guy.".

Well so much for being at lost for words.

 

Damn, that's a shitty buzz, brother. Seems like you're taking it pretty well... whatever that's worth. Hopefully, you'll be reunited soon.

 

Wow! As soon as I read this I had to walk to the garage to make sure I had shut the garage door. So very sorry sad to hear. I've been thinking more and more about this lately. Last week, as I am walking outside through the garage, I noticed a small beat up pick pick up truck going past my house. The guy had his cell phone out the driver's window, I assume taking a video of my house as he drove past. It rattled me a little since I wondered if he was taking inventory for a possible theft. The guy was some kind of pool cleaning service I think. Where was yours sitting? Hoping you get her back. Or at least get some good insurance money out of it.

 

Razz, that is very sad to hear, your words sound like you are accepting the cold reality of it all and hoping for a better outcome. I'm with you on the hoping for a better outcome.

For the life of me I cannot wrap my head around people taking things that aren't theirs. That lack of respect for other people and their property is grotesquely selfish and ignorant.

 

How sad, and I am with Stump on I just can't understand how people take what is not theirs, and the lack of respect. You obviously had created a beautiful XJ, and quite unique, so hopefully that will help in the recovery.

Hope all is well with the wife as trips to the ER are usually not a good sign.

 

That just sux, sorry to hear that. I hate hearing these stories, especially when its an older bike that you've obviously put some work into. I'd rather have someone steal my wife's new van over my old truck. Same goes for the bikes. Hope the ER trip went well and was nothing serious.

 

I hope you get her back. I'd be heartbroken.

 

Spreading the word. I posted in the XJ Owners Facebook group, and on my own wall. Hopefully someone will see it.

 

Thanks guys for the support, it was a rough day going to work cried all the way there knowing that I was not riding her to day. Then things started to change around noon or so the local pd posted on there Face Book page on my behalf. Then the local news paper did so also. That's when the flood gates opened up, the community, the ones I mention about above, they have got behind me wit full force. Barring being cut up for scrap or on her way to Mexico I am confident that I will find her. The insurance called today, I thought I only had liability, come to find out I have full coverage. But the bike falls under as a classic there for the max I can get is $1000 with a $500 deductible. $500 is not much. I told them I want to hold off until I give up hope on finding her, which they was fine with that. Her is a link to the community support page on FB. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1170690482946314&set=o.343689323559&type=1 I will keep you posted.

 

That royally sucks! I have had property stolen from me as well out of my back yard and once you realize it you feel totally violated. I hope you get your bike back and the catch he whoever did this.

 

Hope you get your bike back in one piece. The ass who took it deserves jail time.

 

No the sh&t rat that stole it needs a 44mag in the head. Ppl like that don't need to be part of mankind!!
" will blow you head clean off"
Clint Eastwood - Dirty Harry

 

"Ah Ah I know what your thinkin ", this is a 44 magnum the most powerful handgun and can blow your head clean off. The question is you have to ask yourself is
Are ya feelin lucky today, well are ya punk!!
Thats some funny sh*t
Wouldn't just love to catch someone ripping your stuff off and have a frigin hand cannon pointed at them.

 

Been there, done that. Real hard not to shoot them.

 

Razz, I shared your fb post with a friend of mine who is in the biker scene. The wolves have been set loose. Hope the wife is well and that you're reunited with your bike soon.

 

Sorry to hear about your string of terrible luck. Having a prized possession taken from you definitely burns worse.

My first vehicle purchase was a 98 Honda 300ex ATV, rode it almost everyday. Kept it locked up with a super heavy chain and padlock thru the frame. Took it to a friends house for a day of riding and left it in his shed to go drinking that night, gone in the mourning.

Did not have any insurance on it, ended up making 3 more years of payments. At least I got good credit from it, and the worst thing about it is the local PD would send out a yearly letter asking if I had found it yet.

 

Bummer. Some people are "can't do rights". May have been one of them. Hope all is well with your wife.

Gary H.

 

Some one offered me a pistol today, jokingly I replied "no I want a baseball bat, I want them to suffer slowly like me, start with their toes and work my way up." But the real truth is I don't be-leave in revenge. When people do bad things, bad things come their way twice fold and with out my interaction. Right now grief is blocking anger, I am not even interested in prosecuting even though I will, I just want her back.

 

#MN-Maxims
two Xj1100's ? care to share one?

 

BTW thanks for all the love and support guys,,,, I sure need it.

 

As much of a loss as it is, it's still just stuff. Violent revenge won't do anything but make the situation worse.

 

+1+1+1

 

I would love to sell one
If you would fix it up like your missing bike I would let you have it cheap!
I have a nice 750 Maxim with low miles too I would sell.
I'm not sure where Cleveland Texas is but its a straight shot up I35 to Minnesota.

 

I wish there was a way to double like a post. You are NOT what you own!
Violence will not get your bike back. It will not make you feel better. If it does, you are as bad as the one who took it, if not worse. Anger and emotion are strategically counterproductive. This situation requires zen-like calm.

 

Love to see Razz make this one as nice as the one that disappeared.

 

Wow I just looked up Cleveland Texas, its way down by Houston. Says 1200 miles aprox.

 

Hope you find the bike and the individual responsible receives a dose of justice. That's a beautiful looking bike and I'm sure you have put a lot of yourself into it.

 

Sad to here Razz, wish I was still there to help you look for it.

Keep your chin up Brother!

 

Well she has been recovered, but I have my hands full to say the least. You might see my true love for this bike.

 

I'm at a lost for words. That's bullshit. Did they find the one that did it or was it abandoned?

 

I... wow. That's not even the same bike anymore. I don't know what's worse - never getting it back or getting it back like that. I had to stare at this for a while to figure out just what was done. Probably painted to hide it first, then they burnt out the rear tire. And when that was killed, they tore it apart for parts to sell quickly. I almost expected to see pods on it.

 

Man, If I had ever found out who did this and it was my bike, , may god help them pull the 45 slug from their skull. Just sickening

 

It's still just stuff. What is broken can be fixed. I've seen recovered bikes that aren't even good for parts.

 

They was trying to bob her. Carma had the last word, one of the crooks had a wreck on her yesterday, they had to life flight him out, with a broken back and leg. He is paralyze from chest down. The police in that county did not realize the bike was stolen, and let someone take her. My local pd picked up on it and went to investigate. The guy tried to run with her and blew the rear tire. Problem is they could not arrest him because he was not in there jurisdiction, so they will issue a warrant for him.

 

He got his just desert! And even if you go after him in court he probably doesn't have a pot to piss in !

 

Just started her up she, still purrs like a kitten. Do I foresee a rebuild blog here on xjbikes. Let me get a list of things I need going and I will post it here. And if any one has a spare, (DAVE FOX), we can make a deal. By the way mn maxim, my son is trying real hard to talk me into coming up there to pick up that 1100 of yours.

 

Sounds like a road trip .. Fly there and ride home?

 

Razz,
I am stunned by what those bastards did to your beautiful bike. I don't know how you would even go about restoring it. To me its looks too far gone and too many pieces missing and what would you do about the frame? This would take a small fortune to bring back. I don't know how you could even look at it without a tear in your eye and anger in your heart. Just use it for parts and find something else to start over with.
I have a nice unmolested 1982 Maxim with about 7500 miles on the clock that you would have less money into than your old bike. Plus I would love to see a person with your passion take one of my bikes and do it right. Let me know.

 

I was just comparing the pictures of your bike by the military truck to the ones on the trailer.
Dude I'm just beside myself , the title of this thread is "At a loss for words" could not explain this any better. I am totally shocked.

On the same note how do we get insurance to cover something like this that covers a loss that we work so hard to achieve without costing an arm and a leg. Or do we rig our bikes with C4 and napalm so when these pricks steal it they get what they deserve.

 

Razz,
I read a lot on the forum but rarely post. Your story is so sad and the bike in tough shape but keep the faith, what is old can be new again. You have the knowledge and support of a lot people here and obviously in your community. I look forward to reading your rebuild thread.

JB

 

Wow, what a mess. I think I would've preferred not getting it back. That is quite a project. Sounds like the crooks got what was coming.

 

You are lucky. You stated
in op that you wanted to stick with this bike for life. If a child got kidnapped, and when they came back with scars and bruises would you be sad they were returned? No, you'd do everything in your power to make them whole again. Afterwards, you'd love them even more due to what you helped them through. And you have a support network...

 

My Seca has an Agreed Upon Value policy that costs me just $20 more per year than a market-value policy. I have it insured for $1500 more than the listed market value. WHile not enough to cover the cost of rebuilding it should it be totaled, it is enough to buy me another in daily-rider condition and have enough left over to cover a thorough recomissioning and outfitting it with accessories. An Agreed Upon Value poilcy is the way to go when insuring any classic vehicle.

 

On the same note how do we get insurance to cover something like this that covers a loss that we work so hard to achieve without costing an arm and a leg. Or do we rig our bikes with C4 and napalm so when these pricks steal it they get what they deserve.

My insurance agent is a friend of mine and got my seca insured for $3500. It is for classic bikes older than 1989. The deal is you must own 2 bikes or more, no racing and I think it is not to be in shows, and lock in a building when not used. If it is stolen or totaled, they write a check for the amount it is insured for. My cost $176 a year. Not bad, The best thing is you can ride it as much as you want. No mileage restriction.

 

I am glad you got your bike back.
Although not the way it left.
Every decision ( both good and bad) has a consequence.
The thief ( or thieves) will now live the rest of his ( or their) life ( lives) regretting the actions of that day he (they) tried to run from the local Constabulary.
He did not know the decision of stealing your bike that day, could result in him nearly dying.
He may not admit it, but he may say why did I do that? Or not.
He may have a" life altering moment". Or not.
Even the Pope forgave his shooter.
I am not condoning these acts of thievery, but I think we need to be better and not get dragged down into the gutter,
where some of these people live. Or we are no better than they.
As k-moe said" it's just stuff".
Even Matti said" step back and take a breath"( I am paraphrasing)
Some of you may not agree with me, and that is ok.
We all live our lives the way we think we should and all have a different code of ethics.
This did not happen to me, and it is easy to write, and so is the vigilantes revenge.
Let the Law deal with it.
We all have things, both good and bad, happen to us.
We cannot control what happens to us, but we are in control of our reactions.
Again, every decision has a consequence.

You have some metal and plastic to rebuild- if you choose.
You have a decision to make.
Whatever you decide, I can state for certain, the guys on this forum will have your back and help however they can.
For guys I have never met in person, just on the forums, you all seem like brothers.
A little screwy, some might require some meds, but brothers none the less.
Keep the rubber side down.

 

I am surprised as hell that thieves actually rode it. Vast majority of the time bikes are stolen to be chopped for parts.

 

#taken care of business, could no agree more. Not being bitter is a natural zen for me. I am just deeply sadden, I even showed true concern for the thief when I found out what happened to him. But never the less, if he didn't steal my bike maybe he would not be hurt. But who knows, maybe there was a reason in his life for all this to happen as well as mine, maybe his action saved me from something tragic happening in mine/our lives. Kinda like leaving home 5 minutes late and coming up to an wreck that happened 5 minutes earlier. Any how I am ready to get through the insurance and put all this in our rear view mirror.

 

I got loads of parts again, so yeah--- hit me up when you have a list (even a list of one item), and I'll see what I got.

I'm thrilled you got the bike back, we'll get her resurrected. She WILL be as good as she was.

The Prodigal XJ project begins.....

Dave F

 

Take a picture of the frame where they cut it off. You are going to have to graft that back in there. Can you weld or do you know someone who can weld that back on for you?
Did the cops raid the guys house to see if he still had any of the parts siting somewhere? By any stroke of luck they could recover some of your stuff that would help.
I know I have a rear fender and seat rail, turn signal brackets and a front fender, head light plastic bucket and chrome ring with a headlight in it. Should have an instrument cluster too.

 

'

"Cluster? Meh, THAT'S not a cluster....THIS is a cluster-----" ....Crocodile Dundee


Lol,
Dave F