It's a small World!
The BMW R100RT is on its way to a new life
Well I think I've done everything necessary to the bike and have also completed a few trips with it - one of 1200 miles down to Yorkshire and Lancashire to visit friends and relatives, so I decided that the time was about right to find a new owner who might use it more as intended and keep it in the condition it is now.
We've had some poor weather recently but there was a brief window which allowed me to put it outside in the bright daylight to take a few decent pictures. I put these and a good description on the 'Car and Classic' website to see if there might be any interest. Within a few days I had responses from people who I'd rather not deal with and should think carefully about whether they are actually serious before they 'push the button'. As these responses were usually received quite late at night, sobriety (or lack thereof!) could have been the issue!
Anyway, I did have a sensible request before the week was out from more of a prospective buyer who happened to have an acquaintance just a handful of miles away from where we live; this other gentleman eventually made contact to arrange a viewing. Needless to say with Orkney being the place it is, I actually knew this chap and when we spoke on the phone, he felt certain that the bike would be at least as described but would come out to inspect it as requested. He duly arrived and took a few more pictures, looked over the paperwork, heard it running from stone cold and said he would relay all of the information back to the potential buyer - apparently a relative by marriage, who lives near Durham.
A few hours later I received an email saying that he was happy with everything and wanted to buy the bike at the advertised price. I shall obtain a fresh MOT as it runs out in a month, so will have to wait for another window in the weather! Then of course collection will have to be arranged, unless he wants to come to Orkney and ride it back - we'll see. There are a few bits and pieces to go with it too but they can go in a pannier. He made the decision after checking possible alternatives to just have it transported to his place using our couriers here as the easiest option, so after the MOT, I will deliver it to them - job done!
A lovely sunny day gave me a great final ride into Kirkwall to Dr D's for the MOT and it passed with no problem. Just a few miles from there, I delivered it into the very capable hands of McAdie and Reeve, our excellent and well trusted couriers. It will soon be on its way to its new owner in the Durham area - himself a great BMW enthusiast.
All ready for the ride to Kirkwall for an MOT - which would have expired mid April
I have really enjoyed improving the bike over this last year but having ridden it a fair amount, it would never have been a 'keeper' after all of those years of GoldWing travel - I'm sure the new owner will use it for its original purpose for many years to come.