I've decided to sell the '78 Bob Jones "Limie Accent"

[trbig]

Well, with mixed emotions, I've decided to sell the Limie bike to Mike (MPittma100). I saw that he was looking for a stock '78E for his collection and even though Limie isn't all stock, I decided to offer it to him for several reasons. With the multiple bikes I try to keep on the road, Limie mainly just sat in my garage, and nobody was getting to see it. Even if I were to get it road ready, honestly, around here where I live, maybe four of us could stand around and look at it. I could take it to places and post some pics of it, but it's just not the same as seeing it in person and hearing it run. I saw the turnouts at the rallies out east and thought that would be the best place for it... if I could find someone to fit the bill that I was looking for.

I knew Bob Jones, and Jeremy bought Limie off of Bob's widow, Karla, also someone I consider a dear friend. Jeremy was one of my closest friends before he was killed on another bike, so this thing has a lot of sentimentality for me. It hurt to see it just sitting there gathering dust. I've seen that Mike takes extremely good care of his bikes and seems to have the funds available to give it what it needs for upkeep, so I offered and he accepted. We've agreed to keep the details private, so please respect that. I think I could have made more by offering it public, but it was more important to me that it goes to someone that loves these old bikes and will keep it and take care of it, not try to flip it to make a buck, though in the end, it will be his to do as he wishes.

I agreed to help get the bike to him since I didn't want any commercial movers with a "Who cares.. it's just an old rice burnin' Jap bike" attitude. So, in the near future, I'll roll it up onto my trailer for the last time and we'll try to meet up somewhere in the middle. Memphis has been mentioned. I'm sad to see it go, but glad it's going to a good home. Thanks, Mike.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Tod,
Thanks for sharing and I mean not just the story of your decision to sell Limie. Thanks for giving Limie a home and looking after this one of a kind bike. Now it is time for Mike to look after it I am sure he will do a good job.
Maxim Phil

[IanDMacDonald]

This makes me really happy to hear! Although I did not mind one bit that the bike was staying unharmed in your care.

[BA80]

I'll be sorry to see it go but I know Mike will cherish it. Maybe we'll get to see it on the road again at a rally. I remember Jeremy riding it and that boy could make it walk and talk.

If the timing is right I wouldn't mind making the trip with you Tod.

[jetmechmarty]

I guess it's just one of those things that link us together. The bike itself doesn't really mean anything. The people around it do. Because of these machines and these inconvenienced electrons, well, here we are. A great many of us have shared laughter, a few tears, and quite a few adult beverages together. I hope it continues for a very long time.

Tod, thanks for sharing.

[Cuda 69]

Much respect to you for searching out just the right person who will care and respect the bike as much as you have, instead of selling it to the highest bidder.

[madmax-im]

I would have liked to own a Bob Jones bike but it is quite fitting that it went to Mike...he has the means and motivation to see that Limie Accent is well cared for...one only needs to look at his other bikes to know that....
I thought you would keep that bike forever Tod...Thanks for helping to preserve a piece of XS11 history. Congrats Mike on a fine acquisition...I hope you bring it to the SE rally next year...

[DGXSER]

Tod, first I hope this had nothing to do with the other thread that suggested the bike needed to be ridden more. But then, you have never seemed like the type to be overly influenced by the masses either.

owning a monument built by a close personal friend (my 84 Cutlass) I certainly appreciate what your going through. I am certain Jeremy would be happy it has found another owner that will cherish it as he did, and provide the same level of care and service to the bike that he would have. Just as
I am sure Bob would as well.

[trbig]

Just as
I am sure Bob would as well.

LOL.. Naw. It would have stayed right in Bob's showroom, unridden. Last I'd heard, he was asking a little over 20k for these bikes he'd built. Possibly the reason he still had so many in the end?

The other thread got me to thinking about it a bit, but mainly I was just tired of Greg harassing me about it. lol. I'd kind of considered it before.. knew in the back of my mind I wouldn't take care of it like it needed, and didn't really realize others thought as highly of it. It is Kawasaki green after all! lol. The main reason, really, was when I got this other XJ I just picked up and having to move Limie around, yet again, and seeing all the dust on it.. Then I saw Mike's posting looking for one. It just seemed like the right time.

[jjz28]

Like don said, I hope you don't feel bad that we wanted to see it on the road. Even though you weren't riding it, it was safe, so you did a good job. It is good to hear that it will go to someone who respects it instead of someone who would want it for other reasons. That may be the deciding factor on some people going to the rally if it is there, probably not, but you never know. I would love to see and hear it.

[madmax-im]

Tod you have done the right thing and you are assured that the new owner will in fact cherish it and take care of it...when i bought SwampThing from Randy...he told me there was a very short list of people he would sell it to...otherwise it was just gonna sit in his garage...I happened to be on that short list...I am proud to be the current caretaker and i look forward to more XS rallies with it.

[trbig]

Ben, I think you're on SEVERAL peoples' short list. lol..

Oh, you were talking about in a good way?

[madmax-im]

LOL Tod...I'm on your sh** list

[XJOK2PLAY]

Hey, Tod.
At first, when I read the subject line of this thread, I couldn't believe it.

But, then I read your post, and I totally get it.

Bro, I know what Jeremy's friendship meant to you, and how much Limee represents. So, I know how hard this decision must have been for you to make.

That is an incredible bike, a one of a kind... Without a doubt.
One of Bob's best.

The last time I got to ride with Jeremy was at Eureka Springs, when he rode in from Arlington on it. I felt like I really got to know him better on that trip, and we got to room together. I looked at him like he was my kid brother.
I never dreamed it would be the last trip together. I'll never forget it, or the feeling of worry I felt for him watching him ride all the way back to Texas by himself. I still feel he was one of the top skilled riders we had in our "group".
That little guy sure could ride!

When you make the trip to transport it, gimmee a call if you'd like some company. I'd be honored to go with ya. Just say when...

You're a good man, Tod B.
Respect, bro.
Bob

[MPittma100]

It is time

I suppose that it is time for me to chime in now. Yes, I am going to be the new caretaker of the Limey Accent bike. I am wanting this bike for all of the right reasons as some of you have already pointed out. Out of respect for Bob, Jeremy, Tod, and all of you XSives, I plan to take really good care of him/her.

If anyone ever wants to know anything about Limey Accent in the future, let me know. I will post anything that I do to the bike with text and pictures.

Does anyone know how many of these special bikes that Bob did - and the theme names? I know of this one, the SS bike seen at XS Southeast 2013, and I have heard of a Navy bike. Are there more? Anyone have pictures?

Mike