I'm not looking for trouble, but...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I park my motorcycle on the street.

My favorite spot is one block away from my apartment. A few months ago, my motorcycle was vandalized in this spot (someone tossed eggs at it). I was angry at the time, but what can I do - probably some dumb kids…

Monday morning I parked by bike in that favorite spot. The next morning I am shocked to find that my bike was missing ! Surely it was stolen. Well before I go through the trouble of getting a police report I thought I’d check with the Department of Parking and Traffic. What do you know, they towed the sucker. $150 in fees if I make it to City Tow by noon. So I cruise down and pay my fees only to find a ticket on my motorcycle for a “driveway complaint” violation to the tune of another $50.

Well this seems very odd. Why would I park my motorcycle in such a manner as to block a driveway ? That doesn’t make any sense. Especially 'cos I distinctly remember where I parked it and know for certain that it was legally parked when I left it the night before. I’ve parked there dozens of times…

So I get home yesterday and return to the scene of my offense…

I must pause for a moment as this will require a bit of explanation. You see, there is plenty of street parking in the city. There are also a lot of garages. It is not uncommon to have two driveways separated by a small length of curb between them. This space is generally too small to park a car, but a motorcycle can fit nicely. Well, from time to time the owner of a garage will park a vehicle parallel to the street but in front of their garage. By taking advantage of the small curb space and the length of their own garage, they can create their own “private” parking spot.

So I get home yesterday and return to the scene of my offense. How very interesting that a car was blocking the driveway ! Furthermore, since the length of this car was longer than the length of the driveway, the car extended along the small space of curb, where my motorcycle had been previously parked.

Is any of this adding up yet ? By parking my motorcycle in that space, I prevented this individual from utilizing their “private” parking spot. Had my motorcycle been vandalized in an attempt to discourage me from parking in this space ? Was my motorcycle moved slightly in a manner which would “block” the driveway ? Was I being taught a lesson about where I can and cannot park my motorcycle ?

Well my friends, I think you know where this conversation is heading. I am currently formulating my response to this situation. Unfortunately I cannot seem to think of any resolution which doesn’t include keys on paint and/or broken safety glass.

Please advise,

Lockfist

2

My advice:

Don’t park your bike there any more.
If you really think this person was responsible (and you really want to get back at them), call the cops and complain about the car blocking the driveway. If they ask, say you live in the neighborhood. If they don’t ask, don’t say.

3

I always wondered what keeps motorcycles from being stolen constantly…especially here in the land of pickup trucks and giant SUVs. Couldn’t someone just load it up in about five minutes while you’re away from it and haul it off?

4

I don’t know where you live, or what kind of bike it is, but I couldn’t sleep at night if my bike was parked in the street a block away. I hope you at least have a cover for it.

I’d definitely try to find some other place to park, and maybe invest in a wheel lock.

5

Agreed, but wouldn’t it have been easier to ask me not to park there ? There are plenty of places to park so just write me a note and ask that I move it down 2 feet, big deal ! I’m out $200 and half-day of work ! I’m not cool with that !

I was thinking of calling with a driveway complaint, that’s more of an eye-for-an-eye response. I like that.

If you can lift 400 pounds and have room in the back of your pickup, my bike is your bike ! However, I dont have an especially nice motorcycle. I don’t think there is much incentive to steal mine. By the time you hotwire it and clean the vin etc, you wouldn’t make much money.

Yeah, I hear you superbee. I have a garage space but its a tight squeeze with my car in there as well. Since the weather is usually nice around here, I park it on the street for convenience sake. I have a wheel lock and cover but the wheel lock doesnt seem like much help if you steal the bike by hoisting it onto a truck.

Obviously I’m not going to park in that spot again but goddamnit I want some payback ! If I was blocking the driveway I can accept my punishment but I did not do anything wrong ! I didnt start this thing and I’m almost inclined to let it rest because this whole situation seems childish but a $200 penalty is nothing to laugh at…

6

Well I was more or less imagining about four guys stopping, loading up the bike, tossing it in real fast and driving off.

Of course I also wonder why people who park convertibles with the top down don’t come round to find their stereos missing or their seats slashed all the time, eggs smashed on the dashboard, or something.

7

Egg his car!

8

Yes, I think this will be the best response. It is annoying yet harmless. Perhaps I’ll buy some eggs soon but allow them to sit for a while outside. Then in a few weeks when their nice and fermented, I’ll plaster that damn car. I’ll also probably try to write the DMV even though I probably have 10 copies of their form “rejection” letter.

By the way, jinwicked, I just clicked on your homepage link and enjoyed your artwork. For some reason I especially like the midnight kitty piece, even though I’m not too fond of cats. I actually own a convertible too (dont ask me why I have so many vehicles) and havent had any problems leaving the top down when I cruise somewhere for the weekend. I’d never dream of leaving it sitting overnight however…

9

Thanks, and I’m glad you’ve never found any ‘surprises’ in your car. :slight_smile:

10

Oh… so that’s what this thread is about. I thought you were going to do the Superbowl Shuffle.

11

Looks like someone else has been watching the NFL package on DirectTV…Either that or you have an excellent memory !

12

This is not so difficult as you might think. Get three guys of even average strength and they could lift one 400-lb bike a few feet off the ground. Hell, my father and I could probably do it without trying too hard.

Not, of course, that it’s going to happen anytime soon (especially as I haven’t the slightest idea where you live;)), but don’t assume just because your bike isn’t spectacular and it’s decently heavy that nobody’s going to kipe it.

13

Not according to the Arlington County PD. We once reported the stupid kids above us for egging an SUV on the street below and the LEOs that were sent said eggs are bad for the paint. They also made the kids clean it off.

14

Did you ever try to find out exactly why you got the ticket? Was your bike found in front of the driveway?

If you’re fairly certain that it was moved, who else would’ve done it but the guy that always uses that spot? And you’re right, from the very beginning he could of just left you a note instead of eggs. The perfect justice would be to somehow help him get a parking ticket or some such. Too bad it’s a lot harder to move a car than it is a motorcycle, so it’s not fair play. Something like this would be ideal, try to find something.

If that doesn’t work out, I’m not telling you what to do, but I would probably figure how much his tires cost. Calculate approx. $200 worth of tires (round up) and even the score. Oh, and I would do the rotten eggs too!

But that’s sinking to his level…Doesn’t that feel great sometimes?!?

The problem with this approach is that you may be just continuing the battle and may be subject to further retribution. So, if you do anything, it would be a good idea to keep your bike out of sight. Whatever you do, don’t let him associate your bike with your house, that would be bad.
Seriously though, think about anything you plan to do and ask yourself if it’s all worth it. You may have to hassle yourself by hiding your motorcycle and feeling paranoid about anything else that may happen. If things don’t go well and he does somehow retaliate to your retaliation, you will have to deal with further damages. (I know, I’m kind of babbling a lot at this point. It’ll end soon, I promise)

I find that patience is sometimes the key when it comes to revenge. Revenge is a dish that can indeed be served cold. Sooner or later, the golden opportunity for the sweetest possible justice will present itself. You’ll know when.

For now, I’d start with the eggs…

15

If someone is going to steal your stereo, better that they just steal it rather than slicing your car top with a knife to unlock your door and steal it.

Haj

16

To the OP, do not egg or otherwise vandalize the car. You don’t know for sure that he did it. Maybe it was another neighbor who hates the sound of motorcycles or doesn’t like your looks or something. I’m all in favor of revenge but you have to be absolutely certain that you are nailing the correct person.

Haj

17

Jin In my city, bikes are stolen very often by two or three guys that drive up in a truck or van, chuck it in and drive off. They ran a couple stings not long ago and got a few of them, but it is still pretty rampant downtown. Harley’s are the main target but high end rockets aren’t far behind.

Lockfist can’t you park it in front of your garage, or the yard rather than down the street? Chain it to your gas meter or something? Personally, my bike beats out the car for the garage space. But anyway, I would let the whole issue drop. If the people who parked their car in the same spot are the ones that called for the tow, which although is a good assumption, is still only an assumption, it’s a good bet that they aren’t going to be too open for conversation, and things will just escalate. Neighbor wars are never pretty and once started, generally don’t end until someone gets taken to court by the other one. Sorry about the dough though. $200 is a tough hit. But being seen retaliating, by anyone, could cost you a lot more.

18

'round these parts you can get a ticket for parking in front of even your own driveway. I’d call the guy in for driveway blocking. If that didn’t work, then a good egging at 2:00 AM would certainly make ME feel better, that’s for sure.

Some cage drivers just plain don’t like motorcycles and will give no quarter when it comes to dealing with them and the motorcyclists who ride them.

Like Turbo, my bike gets the garage and the Jeep spends the summers in the driveway - admittedly, I have a very desireable and “steal-able” bike though. When they both share the garage, it gets a bit tight, but I manage. Speaking of the Jeep that goes to one of the other topics here - I leave my Jeep open all summer long (and by ‘open’ I mean no top, no doors, no canvas, nothing) and I’ve never once had so much as an old coffee cup removed from the vehicle (I wish SOMEONE would take those darned things off my hands :slight_smile: ) - maybe it’s because the potential theives think I’ll “be right back”?? - doubtful.

19

I rather like the idea of reporting the guy for blocking a driveway, assuming that’s illegal (it is here–doesn’t matter if it’s your driveway, it’s always illegal for any car to block any driveway). However, it’s not out of the question that some punk kids egged your bike, and that they (or other punk kids) moved your bike to where it got a ticket. Some folks get a kick out of mischief that gets others into hot water. I’d be sure of the facts before getting deep into retaliation.

20

I’m not particularly fond of all the suggestions of vandalism, guys.

You don’t know who did it, so egging a car is right out. Let alone slashing tires, sheesh.

Since the OP has a garage: put it in there. Your car, unless it’s a superb classic, will do fine outside - or maybe both will fit. Put whatever vehicle you use most near the door, and hang a string with a nail from the ceiling so that the nail hits the windshield of the car right before you hit the back wall of the garage. Maximum space efficiency.

I’d kill for a garage, my Yamaha sits outside 365 days of the year, and we’re not talking 360 days of sunshine. Of course, it’s not blocking anyone, has a locked cover, a rear wheel lock, and a front disk lock.

Shiny side up.