I'd gladly loan it. I would just take a deposit, say 2X what the bike is worth. And when it was returned, adjust the deposit for any damage/issues. If he wants use of the bike for free, ask if you can borrow some of his cool cameras, or his car for a road trip to Vegas, or whatever. Movie companies are famous for charging a lot of money to rent movie props to themselves, with another charge when the item is returned, plus repair costs, etc. Nothing free in the movies.

Let's see the bike!

Fair enough:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...46be280fa0.jpg

I'm pretty sure this is a very-very indie shoestring effort. I would not be interested at all if it were a professional film. I'm going to text him and suggest we meet over coffee next week and have him describe his project. As I said, knowing how hard it is for a young artist to get a break, I'm inclined to look for an opportunity to add a little good karma.

An option might be to offer to build up a stunt double for the project.

Keep your prize bike at home, and send out a little cheaper version. :)

You can use the good one for close-ups if you wish.

Random person, poorly written note like that, my answer would be a definite no. I probably wouldn't contact him.

Yup. I feel ok about it so far. He's got a little web site with a little video and links to some really good photos. Some poetry. And if it smells in any way I'll be kind but resolute.

Never loan out bikes, cameras, tools or significant others! :eek:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1deaacfaca.jpg

verktyg :50:

This smells like a broke-ass hipster artist-in-his-own-mind trolling for a free bike to use.

Personally, I'd say "no", but then I'm a grumpy old man who enjoys pissing off hipster kiddies.

You can do whatever you want, just don't be surprised if the bike comes back in damaged condition. Or if it doesn't come back at all.

Make sure your insurance agent knows about the bike and what you intend.

I have a bike out on loan as a film prop right now -- but, then again, the amateur filmmaker is my wife's boss, so I feel safe. And the bike needs repainting anyway.

Maybe ask this guy to see some of his other work to see if he's legit?

This. Unless the script calls for the bike to be driven in front of a '62 Buick at speed, I'd be inclined to loan it. I mean, I'd think it pretty cool that the guy was walking along, saw my bike and said, "That's the one," so give me a DVD when you're finished and we'll call it even. I'd definitely want to be present for filming though; I wouldn't go for something where I hand it off and get it back in a couple of days when they're through.

I met the young man for lunch yesterday. Very very indie. I'm going to support his project because young folk like this need support and good karma. He needs a few weekend days for studio shots, and one day in Central Park for location shots. I'm welcome at all, but I'll only go to the location shots (I happen to live right on the park). He sent me his script, which I'll read tonight. I'm also going to draft an indemnity agreement. FWIW he rides a very beat-up low-end 80's Peugeot, so points there.

If this all works out as planned, post a link to the video when it is publicly available! :thumb:

Starlets. Hold out for starlets.

Well done ascherer. Impressed with the general opinion, your bike gives an opportunity to meet new people, maybe learn something new and help somebody who likes the thing and can not afford it, however, many are just afraid of new scratches on frame. Sad.

Cool. Hope his project goes well, and that you reap the karmic benefits. :thumb: You will follow up as it progresses/finishes right? :)

Absolutely! I read the script, and while the bike isn't a "central character" it does have a meaningful place in a few scenes. Apparently my headlight clinched it for him over other bikes he'd seen. Can't provide any spoilers, though!

Nope. Not sorry.

:lol:

:thumb:

+1

[MENTION=94771]ascherer[/MENTION], that's cool! I don't know what the odds of the film maker trashing your bike, but most parts are replaceable. Get an agreement about damage beforehand, and maybe set the rental price properly. Before I met my wife, the Law And Order TV show filmed an episode in the apartment we are currently living in. It has interior bricks walls, and it's in a landmarked former warehouse building. She said they didn't clean up after themselves, but the money was good enough that she didn't mind. Your film maker may not be able to pay you that handsomely, and if so, get an agreement about damage beforehand.

EDIT: Clearly I wrote the above before seeing all the replies.

Sometimes I forget to click on Submit Reply. "Hey, what happened to my post?"

I 'rented' a bike to somebody visiting my city a few months back with the following arrangement: They paid me fair market value for the bike, with the understanding that I'd buy it back a week later for the same price minus $50 if it was in the same condition aside from wear to consumables, but if the bike was damaged it would be theirs to keep. Perhaps that could an option for you if this particular Raleigh isn't your only commuting bike.

edit: oops, like Noglider above I posted without looking at the thread date or other comments (you know, I thought our forum masters were trying to get that 'initial post date' indicator working again after the software update made it disappear - whatever happened to that?)

I kept asking until I got an answer. It won't happen until a future software update. No ETA on that, though.

Grr. I'm not happy about that. But I do have a workaround. I click on the teeny tiny icon at the very left of the thread title. This brings me to the first unread post of the thread. At least I won't start at the beginning that way.

The mod staff aren't happy about it either. We also used it as a tool and not having it makes our work a bit harder. The furor over it being gone caught the IT staff totally by surprise. Eventually we'll get it back.