So, I was looking at this site:
http://www.facebook.com/login/setashome.php?ref=home#!/groups/fullfloater
On it, I saw a post by Allen Shaffer which included three pics of my RM465. Amazingly, the bike hadn't been altered too much, and I was able to positively identify it....right up to my own handwriting in black Sharpie ink on the rear shock body.
I clicked on Shaffer's name and went to his Facebook page. Little info from there, except for his "business" name (ASR-LLC). I googled that and was able to get an address and a phone number. He lives in that weird little dangling area of land on the far eastern side of the WV map.
I wasn't sure what to do next.
So, I googled the name Allen Shaffer and AHRMA. When I did, I found a listing on June 23 for the bike here:
www.vintagebikeads.com
Then, I called and spoke with him to see if he still had it. He did, and said he wanted $1400 but would take $1250. He told me that he had "completely" rebuilt the engine, added a new front tire, brake cable and rear sprocket and chain since he bought it, but he is a busy man and has little time to ride it. I asked a few questions to help me make certain that the bike was one of mine, but I didn't let on what I was thinking.
He told me that several folk's were interested and that I needed to move fast if I wanted it. I asked if he would hold it for me a while if I sent a PayPal deposit of $100. He agreed, and said he would hold it until the end of the month or until I could have a shipper pick it up. He didn't expect me to be in his garage the next day.
On the long drive up there, I kept dreading that I was going to have to take a bike from a guy who in all likelihood was a fine fellow and may have done no wrong. Really, I was kinda torn up about it.
I called the Mansfield OH police to ensure that they still had it in the national computer. They did. Then, I called the Berkeley County WV Sheriff's office, and gave them an idea what I was up to. I didn't mention any names, because I didn't want to take the chance of tipping anyone off.
Yesterday, about 5pm, I was on his street. My brother Robby was with me. Robby is a career cop in Lexington Ky and he was with me the night the bikes were stolen. He wanted in on any action. I called the local Sheriff's office and asked them to dispatch a deputy.
Before the law arrived, I pulled in the driveway at the guys home (which incidentally, is also the address of his fancy sounding "motorcycle performance" business). He raised the garage door and met me. He had several bikes in the garage, including a Hodaka Combat Wombat. I saw my bike sitting on a stand.
We chatted cordially for a while, then I turned to my bike. I acted as if I was looking it over like a buyer might. It broke my heart to see how much it had suffered during the last four years! I was able to see that the engine number matched mine. I said, "I thought you told me on the phone that it had a new front tire, sprocket, chain and brake cable". They were worn all to hell. He denied saying it. I asked him about the engine, which had been painted and did seem to have new gaskets. He said he did all the work himself and that the bike "runs like a champ". Then, I asked about the condition of the air filters. I'm the one that put the UNI stickers seen in the pics on the airbox covers. Believe it or not, he said he wasn't sure because he never checked them.
"What?!", I said. "You rebuilt the engine and ran it and you don't even know if there are air filters in the bike at all?" I had had enough.
So, I started telling him the story about the two bikes that I had restored and took to mid-Ohio. I pulled out a album and started showing him my pictures, and all of the receipts for parts....filed and in chronological order. I told him about the bikes being stolen. I pointed out how similar the pics of my RM465 was to the bike in his garage. I asked him if he knew where I was headed with the conversation.
"Huh", says he. I said, "Allen, I'm not here to buy that bike. It's mine, and I'm here to take it home". He still wasn't quite sure what was going on. I told him that the bike was stolen, I want it back, and that the law was on the way. As if on cue, a couple of deputies show up in the driveway and I think I saw the color drain from Shaffers face.
I explain the situation, and the deputy says "no problem". Shaffer starts to object. He said that it's not leaving until he removes all the stuff that he put into it, including what he said was a new DG pipe. The cop said, "No sir, when I run these numbers and they indicate that Mr. Poindexter owns the bike, he's going to take it". The numbers checked out in my favor.
Shaffer says, "I don't like this one damn bit". The cop tells him, "Sir, you don't have to like it. But here's what we have. In a theft recovery, we fill out paperwork. On it, we list a "victim" and we list a "suspect". Guess which one is you."
Shaffer was advised that the mere possession of stolen property is a crime. He asked Shaffer for information about how he came to acquire the bike. Shaffer gave some obscure info about a Craigslist ad in Maryland but couldn't come up with dates, names, addresses or receipts. Nothing. He also had no receipts for any of the alleged "work" he had done to the bike.
Shaffer says, "Who the hell gets a receipt for a 30 year old dirt bike". I remind him that I have the original California title in my pocket.
I think the Shaffer guy is shady. I want to believe that he didn't steal it. But, he sure misrepresented the bike's condition when I called him, and his story to the cops was a bit off as well.
I signed a few forms and then Robby and I loaded the bike into the bed of my pick-up.....exactly in the spot where I last saw it 4 years ago.
I turned to Shaffer and said, "Allen, I don't believe that you stole the bike. And I figure you actually did put some money into it. But as this officer told you, I'm not responsible for compensating you in any way. That being said, I want you to keep the PayPal deposit and here is an additional $250 bucks....from one enthusiast to another."
He hesitated and then said...."I was hoping for much more than that, but if that's all you're offering, I'll take it."
He was pissed! I extended my hand but he didn't take it. He turned his back, stomped back into the garage and shut the door leaving me, my brother and the cops standing in the drive. No "thank you", no "I'm sorry", and no "have a nice trip" was heard.
Any empathy I may have had for Shaffer vanished.
I've already begun a dismantling inspection of the RM. I'll get a few pics posted later.
It actually doesn't seem to be in nearly as bad a shape as it could have been. One interesting thing I have noted is that the fuel tank on this 465 is the one that had actually been on the 250 on that dark and rainy night in Ohio way back when.
