I'm the owner, and you will never get my bike! How much money are we talking about? I prefer also blondes, 4'11"-5'5", petite, pretty, with a sexy hour glass figure! :-) Maybe money is not the main focus of the owner, maybe he has some sentimental attachment? This will work, but it will require patience from you. I recommend that you befriend the owner. Go to his restaurant often, compliment his food, and atmosphere, and chat with him mano a mano. Address him by his first name as much as possible. Forget about the bike, but genuinely try to find out more about him, his family, his restaurant, Do this for several months until he begins to trust you. He will eventually open up to you. casually bring the subject of the bike up again, but this time, since he "knows" you, he will be more receptive. Let him know that the reason that you want the bike, is because you plan on restoring it and riding it. Let him know also that you know that that is a special bike to him, but also let him know that it is slowly but surely deteriorating! Give him the line that it is better for him to know that the bike is going to someone that will take care of it for "him", and that you will continue to frequent his restaurant and bring the bike over for others and specially for him to see. piont out the tires and saddle as complete destroyed, but that you can still save the frame.

Remember, your approach is extremely important. It could mean the difference from getting the bike, or seeing the bike being destroyed by the elements day by day! Good luck!

Fash