indian T Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) Was on my Chieftain most of the day yesterday. It was one of those perfect weather days. The kind that helps us, living in the Northern part of the Country, get through Winter because we KNOW there will be days like this. Pulling into the Chieftain into my garage, I parked next to my Gilroy Chief, and gave it a good long look. I haven't taken it out for a real ride since I put it away for the Winter. I go back-and-forth on selling it or keeping it. Just the day before, My Brother-in law mentioned that he may want to buy it. I thought the battery might be under-charged to start the bike up, but it fired right up. Love the sound of the Bassani Road Rage pipes that are on the Chief. After a little warm-up, I took off down the alley, and out onto the street. At first the bike felt a little weird...different. Loud, loose, and low. Front heavy. A few blocks in, and I began to remember all the things that are unique to this bike. The noises, the clutch pull, the way it takes off from a stop. Things that, over the years, I had become so accustomed to hearing and feeling that I really didn't pay much attention to them. On to the freeway to let it breathe...let it rip. A little slower out of the gate than the Chieftain, but plenty of power, and lots of top-end. The sound of the pipes were awesome! Had to watch my speed. Doing 75 in a 45 would get me a nice sized ticket. The sound of the Ol' Gilroy decelerating got me thinking that I may have a hard time selling this bike after-all. Going back to my house, I felt kind of bad about not taking the '01 out more often, about how dirty it looked from sitting in the garage collecting dust. I park in front of my house, and my Son from California, who is home for a visit, says "Hey Pop...can I take it out for a ride"? I toss him the key and watch him take off down the road. The bike sounds great, and seeing my Son on it may have been the final little piece of the experience yesterday that makes me think I'll hold on to this machine for a bit longer. Edited June 24, 2015 by indian T 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eraserhead Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 You're killing me...same struggles here 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHIEF DOC 99 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 ...all will be assimilated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONMYI Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 If there is any way possible, hang onto it as long as you can.. Seen too many on here who've expressed their regrets of loosing theirs.. I'm keepin what I got, Dave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It is Baloon Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glassguy2 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 i was gonna sell for a new one ,but when i sit on that stretched out bike ,i just cant , i guess till death do us part , i walk by it in my shop and sometimes stop and just stare ,nope i cant 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEZ1 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I have same stuggles, and I am only looking at the new Roadmaster. I may keep and hand to my son one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiremanDave Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I won't say I will never part with my 00, but it is highly unlikely, too much of me in that bike, and if I only take her out in parades well at least she will get out and about. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvbutcher Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 This is one bike that I'm going to use my immense knowledge of 'things I wish I'd never been ignorant enough to sell when I was young and dumb' in order to not do that again. All I can say is, "You'll be sorry if you do. You won't be sorry if you don't." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Indian Outlaw Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I will never give up my 99 Chief, love the 14 Vintage and 15 Scout we have but the 99 is the comeback bike, , , , , you can have it when they have to pry my cold dead fingers off the throttle as I set in the garage to old to ride it but young enough to enjoy it for all it is/was! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jglace Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Hope you keep it T. I kept my 99 and ride it at least once a month. Had it at a bike and bbq event last month and they took more pictures of it then the new bikes. Rides a little crude and you have to work it, but the new bikes are almost boring to ride. I may even miss picking up parts from the ride. Jeff 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 It looks great even parked. 'Nuff said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Loved my Gilroy.... I had a lot of time, money and me invested in it... it was a tough decision to sell it... I went back and forth several times... sell it.. sell the electra glide.... I sold it and have never looked back... the 14 is a great bike.... I'm now selling the electra glide.. I have confidence the 14 won't let me down, like the Gilroy did so many times... The Gilroy is a great looking bike... no doubt... but so is the 14.... and I have not had any decrease in people wanting to talk about Indian since getting the 14 either.... gas stations.. parking lots.... where ever ... people want to talk and the compliments never stop... And ... it's anything but boring.... unless breaking down is what you need to for excitement.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glassguy2 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 you can meet plenty of new friends at a breakdown ,carry beer ,make it a party 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) you can meet plenty of new friends at a breakdown ,carry beer ,make it a party Yeah... me and my bud Keg knew the 02 inside out.. backwards frontwards and upside down... we shared more than few a beers over that bike.... me breaking down and Keg coming to get me is legendary at work.... it was all good... this is just better.... Edited June 27, 2015 by stu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tgwazu Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 A friend once said', "It's a piece of metal. No matter how much you love it, it will never love you back." This is a lesson I fully understand, but just cannot seem to embrace - I LOVE MY BIKES. I am faced with a similar dilemma over selling my Sportster (to get a bigger Harley) because my grandma helped me with some repair costs years ago so I have memory issues. (ironically, we are interning her ashes tomorrow.). Have to admit I started crying when I handed the salesman the keys to my Victory when I got my Roadmaster - I took my dad's ashes to South Dakota on that Victory. And that '69 Bonneville chopper I posted pics of on my page - I want her back! (GC20521). I am sure you have some great memories on your Gilroy... Please do not sell the Gilroy. I like seeing two bikes in your posts. Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagabondjpm Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I enjoyed my Gilroy, have many fond memories of it, and dumped more money into keeping it running than any sane person should. I simply could not afford to ENJOY riding anymore on it because I knew the next repair would sideline if for months. I have entertained the idea of buying another but I will not. (Maybe a KM but not another Gilroy.)The only thing I truly miss is how she sounded when running down the highway. If you enjoy it, keep it. If the prom queen has overstayed her welcome, part ways and don't look back. Ride safe, Vagabond 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Diesel Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Tony - the only things that keep me from selling the Gilroy Vibrator and riding the Valk full time are reason and common sense. Thank God I've never given in to either. I love both those bikes cuz they're polar opposites. There's nothing like climbing on to that rattling, sputtering fire-belching ode to red loctite and hanging on for dear life, cuz you never know what's gonna happen. Keep it. Go for rides with your son and contemplate the wonders of fatherhood! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalper38 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 If it's issues have been fixed and normal wear and tear (and the occasional circuit breaker) are your biggest issues then KEEP IT. I'm never getting rid of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiantoo Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Planning to get a new on, BUT want to wait till they have their act together on ALL fronts. Ken B's dilemma with his Vintage makes me think there is gremlins in these new bikes, and i don't have the patience to pay 20+ for a bike and have to fight the company to fix their shitty product. I know people will chime in that they have no problems with the new ones, but peppered through several forums are different things that lead me to believe that they are not where they need to be yet. I already have a gremlin riddled Gilroy to keep me busy. I know how to work on them, but would not know what to do on the PL ones. have over 30+ on my 00, and has only stranded me once, due to me tweaking the battery cable to much and putting it in a bind and it broke! With the dealers so spread out , i don't want to have to take a vacation day to get to a dealer, and sit while they play phone tag with the corporate office. Will keep my RG or mule to travel with, and the Gilroy for PG missions, and for ego building run since the oooh ,and aahhs come when i ride it. (I really prefer the Chief over the RG, ride wise it is better) When i retire it i will set it up for long storage throw a cover over it and keep it. It won't cost me anything to store it. I probably will always have the Chief in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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