Dead Man's Bike

[snark]

If this turns controversial, I apologize. I have an opportunity to buy what is on my short list of dream bikes...this problem is that the man who owned it died on one of his other bikes. Technically it's a Dead Man's Bike. I have the Blessing of his widow and his son...who is the one who offered me first crack at it. Any thoughts? I'm honored to be asked, but still hung up by the Dead Man's Bike thing. For the record, I earned my Broken Wings on a green bike which is why I'll never have another one of those. Thoughts? Ideas on how to break the possible "curse"?

[Grimly]

It's not the bike he met his end on, so get it, ride it and enjoy it.
There's a lot of used stuff out there that once belonged to people now dead. Does it stop me from buying it? No, of course not.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Most of us are riding 40+ year old motorcycles that have a good chance of having been owned and operated by someone who has passed on by some means. I have a good therapist. I can check if he's accepting new patients. I used to know some good priests, but I'm a recovering Catholic, and don't know any personally anymore, if you think an exorcism in more of what you seek. Though, if one is to believe the movies, exorcism is specialty reserved for only a few.

[rphillips]

I sort'f understand your thinking, but what if this person had left you this bike in his will, you should have proudly accepted it. This is the same thing, You're just looking at it different...You said you feel honored by the offer, they'd probably feel honored if you accepted it.

[Baatfam]

I sort'f understand your thinking, but what if this person had left you this bike in his will, you should have proudly accepted it. This is the same thing, You're just looking at it different...You said you feel honored by the offer, they'd probably feel honored if you accepted it.

Mr. Phillips is exactly correct. It's an honor the family thought to offer it to you.
No bad karma here.

[Vmass]

Nothing anyone says here is going to remove that thought from your head. Admittedly, you are a superstitious individual. I am just imagining that this can cause you to be overly cautious....not good.

Buy it, clean it, look at and then sell it and do something fun with the money.

[Brendan W]

Watching too many pirate movies.
I'm sure wherever he is, he'd be delighted to see his baby being used and for his family, a part of him gets to live on in the sense that someone picked up the baton and stayed in the game.

[snark]

Most of us are riding 40+ year old motorcycles that have a good chance of having been owned and operated by someone who has passed on by some means. I have a good therapist. I can check if he's accepting new patients. I used to know some good priests, but I'm a recovering Catholic, and don't know any personally anymore, if you think an exorcism in more of what you seek. Though, if one is to believe the movies, exorcism is specialty reserved for only a few.

Bikers tend to have rituals and superstitions...it's part of the culture.

The superstition has to do with how the PO gave up the bike. If you bought it before they died, and then they died it's not a Dead Man's Bike.

I do go to the Blessing of the Bikes every year so yeah...and many of the charity rides I go on have a preacher give a Blessing before everyone pulls out on the run.

And if you need to have a therapist you must not have a motorcycle.

[snark]

I sort'f understand your thinking, but what if this person had left you this bike in his will, you should have proudly accepted it. This is the same thing, You're just looking at it different...You said you feel honored by the offer, they'd probably feel honored if you accepted it.

I'm kind of starting to see it that way. I told them I'd look at it if another one I am set to see doesn't work out.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Bikers tend to have rituals and superstitions...it's part of the culture.

The superstition has to do with how the PO gave up the bike. If you bought it before they died, and then they died it's not a Dead Man's Bike.

I do go to the Blessing of the Bikes every year so yeah...and many of the charity rides I go on have a preacher give a Blessing before everyone pulls out on the run.

And if you need to have a therapist you must not have a motorcycle.

With a moniker such as yours I thought you would realize that I was only being half-serious in my reply. I do understand your position. And I do appreciate you sharing your dilema with the group. Sorry for being flip. So here's a more straightforward, honest, response. If the thought of owning and riding this bike gives you the heebee jeebees, by whatever name, maybe it's best to pass on it. I, myself would not take by father's very well cared-for GMC pickup when he passed. Just couldn't do it. My need for therapy is actually to help my wife and I work on some issues dealing with some other family members, and it's done wonders. I've also participated in vehicle blessings at my former and and at my present church. It's all good. It certainly can't hurt.

[snark]

Sorry for being flip.

Just playing along... no hard feelings.

No disrespect to anyone in the group, so forgive my assumption, but many members here don't fall into the "Biker Culture" thing and honestly probably wouldn't know a lot of the little superstitions and rituals (Gremlin Bells for example). They seem to be more of a Classic Motorcycle Enthusiast and nothing more.

I threw the question out here because the people I ride with are pretty evenly split. Some say be honored, some say better to pass. I'm looking for thoughts from people who are not close to the family. I truly appreciate any thoughts.

BTW...It's a 1990 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. Billy died, at the age of 75 riding his Goldwing.

[Vmass]

So, a Grey Ghost? That doesn't help out the situation, does it!

[steve murdoch]

It's not the bike he met his end on, so get it, ride it and enjoy it.
There's a lot of used stuff out there that once belonged to people now dead. Does it stop me from buying it? No, of course not.

This exactly.

...."i earned my Broken Wings on a green bike"....what does this mean?

[dpep]

Is this a purchase or a gift? If it were me I would be focused on what is best for the family. I am sure that is what your deceased friend would want you to do. Doing the best I could for those who loved the deceased would far outweigh any supposed biker culture taboos If the best interests of the fallen brother's family don't come first, then maybe you need to shop around for a different culture.

[Rob S.]

My previous owner died flying off his original '73 Z1 in '79. He was my cousin's best friend. I bought it from the 26 year old widow 2 weeks after the fateful last ride.

The dead man riding was in the middle, his younger bro leading, and his best friend trailing. One saw his big bro die in his mirrors, the other saw his best friend die right in front of him.

There's more, which I learned one year after I assumed ownership:

The three lads were riding so aggressively because, the night before, the pretty soon-to-be widow had left her doomed hubby.

The 'widow maker' is more than a myth.