California Newbee Needs Advice

[MarkB]

I've been lurking here for a few days.... It seems like there's a lot of knowledgeable people here and I could use a little knowledge right now.

I found an '83 GW Interstate with 126K on the clock. This thing is eat-off-it clean, has obviously been stored indoors and the only nitpicky things I could find to complain about was some clear coat peeling on the trunk and a couple spots on the front fender. The bags are near perfect, though one of the gaskets could use some help. There is an aftermarket toggle switch on the bike that from reading here, I have determined probably operates the fan. It has the Clarion sound system featuring AM-FM/Cassette/CB and intercom. The exhaust system does not show signs of rot, nor does the frame (yes, I got on my hands and knees to look underneath!) The bike is so clean, it's on the showroom floor of a pretty nice bike shop. The asking price is $2495, which is low blue book from what I can tell. I found out on my second trip to look at it the bike was previously owned by a former motorcycle tech that bought the bike when he was working in the business and did all his own wrenching. All things point to this being a phenomenal buy on a super clean California bike.

So what's the dilemma? Well, is it really that great of a deal? The miles kind of scare me, but it was mechanic owned. Yes, I realize this can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing. The other issue is, I haven't seriously ridden in about 20 years and then, it was on a much smaller bike. I'm worried about this being a lot of bike to handle. In my defense, I have completed the MSF class recently and I have logged tens of thousands of miles on a bicycle over the course of the last ten years. In my mind, that means I have a little bit of a head start on balance issues and am also savvy about dealing with cars, albeit at a much slower pace.

Physically, I think I am capable. I'm 6' and go 230#, so I'm a pretty good sized guy.

I live in an area where there are still wide open spaces to practice and get familiarized.

I apologize for asking so many questions during my introduction. Thanks for a great site and I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks!!

Mark

 

[AApple]

Welcome to the CGW Forums, Mark!! You've come to the right place for all your questions, that's for sure. Not that I have them, of course, but there are folks here that know these things inside and out to help.

I don't think the price is too high myself...I paid $2600 for my '81 3-4 years ago, and it was definitely NOT "eat off it clean"!! :smilie_happy: If the one you're looking at runs well, and everything seems to work, has good tires, and you can verify the maintenance records, I'd say it's a decent deal. Others with more knowledge will chime in, too. :yes:

 

[WINGMOB]

Welcome :mrgreen:
Your Question
With the miles clocked on the Bike I would defiantly do a complete check. From your post you seem to have checked most of the areas of concern. Do a charging system check, fork seals, front and rear calibers, bearings and tires. With the miles, you know that this is defiantly a runner so would check for areas of normal wear and tear. The miles may be a good area to negotiate an reasonable offer.

 

[slabghost]

It is a lot of bike. They are very heavy and take some getting used to. If it runs good with no smoking from the exhaust it's probably a good deal. Check the clutch operation and see if further adjustment is available and the other things previously mentioned.

 

[dan filipi]

It sounds to me like an ok deal especially as clean as you say.
These engines are tough and will go 200k+ with regular maintenance.

I have to wonder though if it wasn't detailed to mask other problems but if it starts and idles smooth, will shift through all the gears and does not smoke I would buy it.

 

[MarkB]

Thanks for the replies!

The bike has great tires; that was one of the first things I looked at. The fork seals look good, but I don't know how to check them, otherwise. I took a friend of mine that used to work at this dealership. He was skeptical about the bike until he saw it and he didn't hesitate to recommend I jump on it (literally). He knows the owner and he told me "they don't sell junk". The owner's son was talking to us and told us the guy traded it in on another Wing (what else?) and they usually take bikes this old to the auction, or to a MC recycler. This one was different and they decided to go ahead and resell it.

I'm not so worried about the miles on the bike knowing it's been well maintained. I don't think it was detailed to cover up problems, I think it's just been kept that clean. I'm told by my friend that this dealership goes over used bikes with a fine toothed comb, so with that vote of confidence, I feel good. This is a guy that told me if I got a used bike, he was going to make me change all the fluids and go over everything. This bike, he says I don't have to do anything because of where it's coming from.

I'm going to try and negotiate the price a little. Maybe I can get them to split the fees, or something.

To tell the truth, as much as I've always wanted a Wing, I always figured I'd start out with some thing smaller and get a project Wing to tinker with. At this price, though.... And as clean as it is, I don't see how a guy can go horribly wrong. I'll give the electrical system a going over, particularly the fix for the stator plugs. That seems like a no brainer, to me, to just do that if it hasn't already been done.

I'm a little giddy just now... Knowing I'm about to be a Wing owner very soon.

Thanks again!

Mark

 

[toytender01]

welcome from central calif. GO FOR IT!!!! :Egyptian: :Egyptian: :music: :music2: :ahem:

 

[joedrum]

wings are heavy but with there low center of gravity there rather easy to control ....at 6ft tall and 230lb you sould have no problem ....just be over carful when riding for thr first yr at least till the bike becomes second nature to you ....welcome to the forum Mark

 

[dan filipi]

I'm a little giddy just now... Knowing I'm about to be a Wing owner very soon.

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[paddy.shadow]

I own 3 bikes currently, a Honda VT700 Shadow, a Honda CB650 standard, and of course, the GL1100 Aspencade, oddly the "wing feels the most nimble except in low speed or parking situations...sounds to me like you got a good find, as most dealers won't bother with old bikes for fear of reprisals, in my opinion...if it feels right do it

 

[bk2valve]

Welcome Mark and to the ADDICTION as Dan sez. I can't say much about the price (I gave $1700 for my Standard but it was not in pristine condition) but it sounds like a sweet bike to me. I know whenever I buy a vehicle, having the history of it, esp. a maintenance log and receipts is like gold to me. 125K is not all that much on a really well maintained wing. On the other hand, if you decide to sell it I wonder what you will get for it. I think that about 80k is the last mileage that you can get a good dollar for any rig, bike or 4 wheel. Once it is over that it dramatically drops unless of course you have all the story you have with this one.

Brian in NM

 

[detdrbuzzard]

hello mark, welcome to CGW

 

[mcgovern61]

Mark, welcome from New Jersey! :clapping:

Here is a reality check from my perspective:

My '82 was given to me free after sitting outside for for 12 years. It took about $3,800 in parts and paint to bring it back to a fully restored condition! I don't think the price of that '83 in pristine condition is too bad (but it is worth negotiating).

The engine I had put into mine had 169K miles on it....it was beat to snot by previous owners, had sand poured into the oil (we think) and raced by a college kid on the street (no one told him it was a cruiser, not a racer :hihihi: ) Even so, that engine started and ran like clock work even though it had all kinds of noises!

 

[Rowdy]

Welcome to CGW from Texas . :yahoo:

 

[MarkB]

Thanks, everybody! For better, or worse, I took the plunge and bought the bike. I haven't brought it home.... Have to clean out a spot and all the Christmas boxes are currently parked where she'll go. She's mine, though and I got a few bucks knocked off because I paid cash and I won a little bet on what the toggle switch was for. Thanks to the info I gleaned here, my money was on the cooling fan and when they turned on the ignition and flicked the toggle, the cooling fan jumped to life.

I don't expect her to be perfect, just perfect for me. The shop had no issues storing it for me until I'm ready. Probably after the first of the year.

Incidentally, when I went back this afternoon, she was in the shop where they were making sure the battery was topped off and I could see it a little better in that light. Maybe not eat-off-it clean, but still pretty darned clean. I'm anxious to begin this journey!

Mark

 

[slabghost]

Conratulations Mark! I'm sure you'll really enjoy it once you get used to it's handling qualities. These are not bikes you want to push far or often. Low speed handling is good once you get used to it.

 

[bk2valve]

Yay! Good for you amigo. Your New Year is getting a great start!
Brian

 

[MarkB]

You guys are tooooo cool!

I knew that, though. In 2002, my son and I did a 1300 mile self-supported tour on our bicycles. You meet and greet a lot of people along the way but the coolest people were the people touring on Wings.

Just sayin'

Mark

 

[danf]

Sure sounds like somebody is happy with his new toy, welcome to the site... :Egyptian:

 

[joedrum]

yeah baby another oldwing on the road to ....the 83 is a great bike... :clapping: :mrgreen: