Hello All,
I just got home with a 1982 Honda Goldwing 1100.
Yesterday, I found this bike on Craigslist. The very nice owner of the bike wanted $$ but he warned me that he had taken off all the fairing and made it a naked bike. He also told me that the battery was practically dead, but he was charging it for the last few hours.
Today, I called him and told him what my budget was and he agreed it was workable. When I got there the charger was still attached, and the bike looked ok.
After several attempts the bike started and stayed on. He took it for a ride where I could see him. A school bus had just arrived and there were a lot of kids walking in his neighborhood. So I waited until the kids were further away and let the bike warm up some more. Then I took it out for about 1-2 miles. It ran okay, but the shifting was a little difficult at first. I had a hard time getting it out of first gear. But after a little time the shifting became much smoother.
At this time I really was not sure I wanted to buy it. The PO could see I was very unsure. I honestly told him that the bike obviously needed more work. There was a headlight and a rear brake light, but no turn signals. The brakes and tires looked ok, but will need to be checked and replaced as needed. My biggest concern is I don't feel comfortable doing the repairs my self. I would have to hire a mechanic to all the necessary work.
He asked how much I wanted to pay, but I told him I did not want to be insulting. He told me his mechanic works almost exclusively on Goldwings and he gave me the shop owners card. At this time I offered him $$ and we agreed upon a price. But he could not find the title. I told him I would be back some other time and he could call me if he found the Title to the bike. He was nice.
Before I drove away I called the shop owner and spoke to the mechanic. He said they had not seen the PO in almost 2 years. But he said that prior to him stopping to take the bike there he was always having the maintenance done on a regular basis. He also said they had put a new motor on his bike about 5 years ago.
Before I drove away I called him to tell him that I had spoken to his mechanic. He told me he just found all the paperwork (Title, Registration, Proof of Insurance). I said lets load it up on the trailer. He helped me even though I could tell his back was really hurting him.
I brought it home and during the drive I had rehearsed what I would say to my wife. She had known I was going out to look at it, but she did not think I was serious about buying it. She did not say anything when she saw it. She started helping me off load the bike when she yelled. I swear we saw several daddy long legs spiders all over the bike and trailer. She runs inside and I am thinking "noway I could have rehearsed for that". I am thinking I would ask a neighbor to help me, but I see my beloved wife coming back with something in her hand. It looked like a gun but was only a insect killer spray can. Now spiders don't bother me, but if this was gonna get me in her good grace so be it. I started spraying that sucker insect killer like there was a venemous snake in the trailer and I was gonna protect my lovely wife. After I emptied half the can she says "honey, I think you got em all. You can stop now". I said "but I love you so much". She says "okay, you wanna tell me how much you paid for this junk?".
I am not sure the pictures are upside down?
Thanks,
Simbaboy
I just got home with a 1982 Honda Goldwing 1100.
Yesterday, I found this bike on Craigslist. The very nice owner of the bike wanted $$ but he warned me that he had taken off all the fairing and made it a naked bike. He also told me that the battery was practically dead, but he was charging it for the last few hours.
Today, I called him and told him what my budget was and he agreed it was workable. When I got there the charger was still attached, and the bike looked ok.
After several attempts the bike started and stayed on. He took it for a ride where I could see him. A school bus had just arrived and there were a lot of kids walking in his neighborhood. So I waited until the kids were further away and let the bike warm up some more. Then I took it out for about 1-2 miles. It ran okay, but the shifting was a little difficult at first. I had a hard time getting it out of first gear. But after a little time the shifting became much smoother.
At this time I really was not sure I wanted to buy it. The PO could see I was very unsure. I honestly told him that the bike obviously needed more work. There was a headlight and a rear brake light, but no turn signals. The brakes and tires looked ok, but will need to be checked and replaced as needed. My biggest concern is I don't feel comfortable doing the repairs my self. I would have to hire a mechanic to all the necessary work.
He asked how much I wanted to pay, but I told him I did not want to be insulting. He told me his mechanic works almost exclusively on Goldwings and he gave me the shop owners card. At this time I offered him $$ and we agreed upon a price. But he could not find the title. I told him I would be back some other time and he could call me if he found the Title to the bike. He was nice.
Before I drove away I called the shop owner and spoke to the mechanic. He said they had not seen the PO in almost 2 years. But he said that prior to him stopping to take the bike there he was always having the maintenance done on a regular basis. He also said they had put a new motor on his bike about 5 years ago.
Before I drove away I called him to tell him that I had spoken to his mechanic. He told me he just found all the paperwork (Title, Registration, Proof of Insurance). I said lets load it up on the trailer. He helped me even though I could tell his back was really hurting him.
I brought it home and during the drive I had rehearsed what I would say to my wife. She had known I was going out to look at it, but she did not think I was serious about buying it. She did not say anything when she saw it. She started helping me off load the bike when she yelled. I swear we saw several daddy long legs spiders all over the bike and trailer. She runs inside and I am thinking "noway I could have rehearsed for that". I am thinking I would ask a neighbor to help me, but I see my beloved wife coming back with something in her hand. It looked like a gun but was only a insect killer spray can. Now spiders don't bother me, but if this was gonna get me in her good grace so be it. I started spraying that sucker insect killer like there was a venemous snake in the trailer and I was gonna protect my lovely wife. After I emptied half the can she says "honey, I think you got em all. You can stop now". I said "but I love you so much". She says "okay, you wanna tell me how much you paid for this junk?".
I am not sure the pictures are upside down?
Thanks,
Simbaboy
