From: jnsims01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Help! Repair/Junk it Advice needed!
Date: 7 Apr 92 15:11:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: ulkyvx.1992Apr7.111148.1
Organization: University of Louisville

In article <1992Apr6.184626.23941@cs.ucla.edu>, kenn@maui.cs.ucla.edu 
  (Kenn Frankel) writes:
> Well.  My 1986 Yamaha has died ... Do I:
> 
> 1) Take the $300 and run.  (Well, take the bus to the more distant 
> destinations)
> 
> 2) Plop down $300-$500 and several months and age several years but have an
>    incredible spiritual experience with book and movie opportunities.
> 
> 3) Bite a bullet and pay almost what I bought for the durned thing to the
>    repair shop and get my bike back within a couple weeks.
> 
> 4) Same as #1, but buy another used bike.  $1200-$2000, minus $300 profit
>    from dead bike.

I would suggest the following decision tree:

1) Are you still interested in riding, ignoring for the moment the cost of
   doing so, and despite the helmet law etc. hassles? If not, take the $300
   and run. If so, proceed to item #2...

2) Is the bike in good shape other than the blown engine? Body work, brakes,
   tires, battery, etc. OK? Even more important, does *this* bike or *this
   brand/model* still give you pleasure as rider/owner, or do you frequently
   find yourself casting sidelong glances at other bikes, wishing/wondering/
   etc.? If no to *either* question, take the $300 and run. If yes to *both*
   questions, proceed to item #3...

3) Would you enjoy doing the work yourself, either for the learning experience
   or because you don't have anything you'ld rather be doing? (Bear in mind
   that version of Murphy's law which says that any mechanical project takes
   twice as long and costs twice as much as you expected...) If so, pay the
   $$$$ and fix it yourself. If not, proceed to item #4...

4) If the shop does the work for you, 
   a) are you confident that it will be done right and that they will stand 
      behind their work? Further, 
   b) will the cost of the work plus what you paid for the repairs be more 
      than the bike is worth (defined for purposes of this argument as 'what 
      I can sell it for')?
   Here's where it gets a little tricky. If you don't have confidence in the 
   shop, you'll spend not only the money, but a lot of mental energy worrying
   every time you ride. The 'is it worth it' question is tricky, too; you 
   might want to reconsider item #2, specifically, the 'do I like the bike' 
   part. Also, be sure to factor in the hassle of finding a new one, and the 
   uncertainties of dealing with a machine that is a stranger to you.

In conclusion, my favorite saying is 'do what you can afford *and* what pleases
you. If you like your current ride, you'll probably be happier fixing it than
trying to find another one. Your mileage may vary, of course (see .sig below).
Let us know what you decide.
 
  My wife AND my employer ignore my opinions - feel free to do the same!
..........................................................................
: John Norman Sims, Jr.      :  Internet: jnsims01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu :
: University of Louisville   :      (or)  jnsims01@ulkyvm.louisville.edu : 
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Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles