So my dad, he'll be 80 next month, lives 3 hrs from me. I have visited him many times on my '04 RKCustom that I just had painted.
He saw a '95 RK at a used car lot that belongs to a sales guy. It also has a high dollar trailer that has the RK front fender for each trailer fender. It has 17,800 miles on it and has chrome from front to rear. I'm talking rotor covers, caliper covers, eyelid light visors(front/rear), tassels and whatnot. Racks, you name it, its on it. It is two-tone blue and silver. Trailer is color matched.
Anyway he has become enamored with this bike and trailer. He's been calling me almost every day to check it out. I keep telling him that I already have one and the price is too high. The guy wants 10k for the both.
Long story short, he went and bought the trailer for me so I can buy the bike!
Now I have to spend, who knows how much, to paint it to match mine, or buy the '95.
My dad has always been tight and never spends money foolishly, but he knows that I have been riding for 35+ years and love it.
We were estranged for several years and we have learned to get along with each other since my mom passed, so I don't want any friction here.
He's been to look at the '95 so many times I lost count. He says its the most beautiful bike he's ever seen. I think it is way overdone.
I told him he should buy it for himsef, lol.
Anyway, I am considering calling the guy up and trying to make a deal. I might have to go as high as 7250 to get it. He claims he spent 4800 on engine work. I would definitely verify that before any kind of deal would be made.
Does that sound anywhere near reasonable for the bike and to make Dad's day?

 

7250 for a good 95 RK is about right , depending where your at ,& 4800 on a complete rebuild sounds close ,I would still request proof of that ,
& as far as keeping DAD Happy this late in life is priceless MY 2 CTS

 

I'm a little lost here.
Does your Dad want the '95 RK for himself or for you?
4.8k on engine work sounds kinda high to me.
Find out exactly what was done.

When it is all said and done the bike is only worth the book value (unless the seller finds an idiot) no matter what the PO spent on "extras".

 

Hmmm, making your Dad happy won't hurt. You can always sell off the chrome bits to fund the bike deal :-)

When he has gone I guarantee you will wish you had done it....because you always, always think of the stuff you could have done to make people happier once they've gone.

Mind you, he might be with you for another 25 years, so all the more reason to make him happy!!!

 

The engine work may have been a major rebuild, it may also be a top notch power house! You're in a difficult predicament, but can you imagine taking your Dad out on your 'new' outfit, trailer and all?! You could get yourselves a pair of colour-matched helmets.....

 

Go buy the damn thing. Life's too short to sweat the details.

 

My 2 cents?…..By him buying the trailer, he needs you to buy the bike. I'm not sure why, but this is my guess. Whether or not he ever rode, this is the bike he would own. By you buying and riding it, he will be able to live the experience "through" you…every time he sees you with it. I want to say you almost have to buy it…..don't come nowhere near that story with the salesman however.

 

...and only post pics when the two of you are sitting on it!

 

Hmmm. That's exactly what I was thinking....

I have, in my family, folks who turned their backs on other family members. The ignored ones have passed, and I guarantee, the ones who turned their backs will regret it until they die...I know I would....but that's just me.....

 

oh. yea........