Please keep a look out for my little "pride and Joy" please

[guest1247]

Hello all, It was 7-20 am,this Tuesday,  and I had just risen, put the kettle on, and opened the curtains......... Then, the sight of an empty space where my little pride and joy lived...... was empty...... The sickening, gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach feels very much like the loss of a loved one. All that remained was the cover. I dashed to unlock the front door, and found that the padlock on the front gates had been the victim of the brute force from a pair of bolt-cutters. Since then that sick feeling has turned to anger, despair, and impotence at not having anywhere to channel your feelings. It is a sad fact of these "modern times" , that dialling 999 will get you a rather disdainful response, informing you that your call is most definitely "not an emergency"  ..... and you should dial 101...... It is at this point you experience the first little dose of anger... You get a recorded message asking you to "Leave a Message" ....!!!!  The third attempt to speak with the police ( PCSO's actually ), had me leaving a message.    I'm calm now.... and all week I have been looking in places that the local low-life are known to stash stolen bikes, before and after they have ridden them ragged.  Just in case it is still intact and may even be put up for sale somewhere....May I post these details .... You never know, someone on here might just come across it somewhere.  It is a Honda CL400 ( Japanese model )... Gold tank, black side panels.... twin exhausts... spoked wheels... Chrome rims... Chrome rear rack... and Chrome mudguards, front and rear. Reg No. S710 BBV ... Year 1998... Frame No. NC38-1001671 ... Engine No. NC38E-1001684 ... I think they do not yet realise just how rare ( ie, hard to sell on ), this bike is..... and if and when they do.... it will be dumped... But, until then, I would love to think that on or two of you will keep your eyes open for me. Regards , Tony Calleyne

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[iansoady]

Really sorry to hear that Tony, I've experienced several thefts in my time and it never gets any easier.

As you say, probably not a bike that will have a ready market so with a bit of luck it may turn up relatively unscathed, although it does sound as though they knew it was there and maybe targeted it specifically. Of course will keep an eye out but it's probably unlikely to travel far.

The first bike I had stolen was a 1949 Norton Model 18 that I used to leave unlocked in the fond hope that no-one would be able to start it. Of course I was wrong and it later turned up with all the easily removeable bits gone and with the barrel fins all smashed off with a lump hammer or similar.

[Smithy]

Sorry to hear about your theft, I have had several bikes stolen and some of them have been my most loved. If you haven't had a bike stolen before let me give you a little note of caution. Sometimes it is better to never see a bike again than to have it recovered and see what some brain-dead moron has done to it. I couldn't believe the butchery inflicted on my 800 BMW by some thick toerag just to try to get it started.

I hope your story has a happy end sir.

Ian

[steveD]

Sorry to hear that Tony. Don't expect any sympathy from the cops, in their big picture it just doesn't warrent any time and effort to trace.
Remember my first Tenere that got nicked, now that was just as distinctive as your bike, both quite unique and 'quirky'. That bike had also been stolen by cutting through high quality chains, no attempt at the locks.
Rest assured that you have been targetted and that little bike is now on a container out of the country. As you have mentioned the parts for such a bike will be red hot and will not fit other bikes. The thieves will know that you will be checking well known websites for spare parts so will not even try. The cops just don't understand how big a problem this is and port authorities don't check cargo going out of the country as much as that entering. As another has said IF it has been taken by local scumbags then you probably don't want to see it again.
I can understand your frustration and cannot help in your coming to terms with your loss, but just go through the hoops of getting your insurance sorted and move on.
A bloody big shame, but keep smiling .

Cheers Steve

[SteveC#222]

Sorry to hear that Tony. It may be worth sending an Email to Classic bike/ Classic Jap magazine editors as it's not a bike that will be easy to move on.

[timbo]

Absolutely disgusted to hear about this theft Tony. the best I can offer is to keep an eye online 

[tigcraft]

I'm sorry to hear and will keep my eyes open.

[guest1247]

Gentlemen,   Thank you all very much for your thoughts and concerns. These prompt replies, while not changing the situation, have made things somewhat easier to bear....... The low-life thieving scum of this world will always be outnumbered and overcome by the calibre of person I have had the pleasure of meeting on these pages, and indeed, gatherings. My heart-felt thanks....... Tony Calleyne

[Richard]

"Don't expect any sympathy from the cops, in their big picture it just doesn't warrent any time and effort to trace."

Really ?

The biker will have had its registration, frame and engine numbers marked on the Vehicle Database of the PNC.  Unfortunately the Number Plate is easy to change otherwise it would light up any ANPR camera it went past.

I don't know what part of the country you live in but I promise that in my neck of the woods it would most certainly warrant both time and effort.

I hope very much that you find it wish a minimum of damage.  Certainly its worth spreading the word via any media you have access to.  Having your bike stolen really hurts.

Richard

[themoudie]

Aye Tony,

Sorry to read of your loss, will circulate details up here, just in case it comes North!

Fortunately, not lost anything, but friend has; it came back out of the canal (cut)! And the insurance were truculent about paying any money out. 

Like others on the forum, would like to see it reappear but wouldn't hold my breath.

My commiserations and good health to you, Bill

[Oldtimer]

I had an A10 stolen once and can remember that gut wrenching feeling. The police found the bike the next day with the culprit on it.  The police informed me where it was and went to pick it up and I cried at the sight of it. He had painted, no daubed the bike with PINK with dulux paint all over it and was still wet. I asked the police if I could claim compo from the thief and they replied "I don't think so he is a hardend criminal and was caught nicking bikes before" His sentence was a six month suspended jail with not even a fine! He was caught doing the same again four months later and sent down for 6 months. Give me a little bit of a smile.
You don't mention what area you live in.

[Moto63]

Morning tony, sorry to hear about the theft of your bike mate, will certainly keep my eyes/ears peeled in case it shud turn up anywhere in my local vicinity. (Lancashire) all the best with finding it and hopefully getting the low life's that stole it "sorted" out.  Regards Michael

[manxie]

What a nightmare, sorry to hear this Tony. Maybe worth putting a "wanted" ad in your local shops, newspaper etc for a little Honda, see if you are offered one?? Dunno?? Hope you get it back, good luck, Steve. 

[guest1247]

FOUND & RECOVERED ....!!! Would you believe it..! I got the call from the police at 9-30 am today. It is now back at home. I have just recovered it. I will post details of it's condition this evening, for now, I am off to buy a BIG Abus lock before the shop shuts ..!! Tony

[Moto63]

Excellent news mate, everybody loves a happy ending eh. Hopefully not to much damage done? (To you or the bike).  Cheers Michael