Need your tough answers to my tough questions...

[Omega Man]

I think Old Girlfriend is done... So I have some tough questions, and I need your tough answers.

1. I think I'm losing/lost the headgasket on the right side. This winter I noticed white smoke/steam? coming from the right tailpipe. As the weather warmed this stopped. Now I'm having mini hydrolocks after she sits over night and after 8hrs at work. The starter engages but locks up like a weak battery. After a few tries she usually fires right up like the battery is normal, sometimes I rock her in first and try the starter and she fires.

I'm losing water in my reservoir, I took the false tank off 4 weeks ago and added 50/50(was about a quart low) to the radiator when she started running too warm for cold weather. This stopped the over warm in cold weather at the time. Today: Hydrolock this morning and after work...wasn't sure she was going to start and get me home. When she did start she was running on only 3 cylinders for 2/3 miles then cut in and out of 4 cylinders for 5/6 miles, last 6/7 miles firing on all four cylinders but getting hotter. This bike has rarely hit high normal in 120+ heat, today in the eighties nearly got to high normal. Oh yeah, I heard bubbling from the radiator when I got home. Sound like a bad head gasket to you?

2. Since I went back to 10w/40 the knock is worse than ever I'm hearing it in 4th during acceleration and when she gets hotter I can even hear it while cruising(sometimes).

3. The horn button doesn't always work sometimes I try it and it works, but it isn't working right now.

4. Because I'm not good with electrical I've done a work around from the fuse box to power the tail light with an LED from a trailer corner light which works great, the brake light works normally.

Some pro's:

1. The tires are like new Bridgestone Spitfire 11's with dynabeads.

2. Near new extended height/width windscreen(windjammer)

3. Decent original seat, plus double bucket Saddleman with sale.

4. She has a little bling, chrome shark gills, turn signal grills, back rest, passenger floor boards.

5. Paint is fair for a desert bike, the picture is a bit forgiving as there are some clearcoat issues.

6. AM/FM stereo, intercom(works? I don't know), CB works but antenna is not set up right, I have heard people talking on channels in the past.

7. New keys(thanks roncar!) that work all locks on bike.

Now, I'm of the opinion I should put her on Craigslist now, I need as much as I can get for her for the purchase of my new to me Wing. What do you think? I want to be honest so here is what I plan to post:

For sale, 1982 GoldWing Interstate. This is a high mileage bike that had no speedometer when I bought it 6 years ago. It has been a daily driver used to commute to and from work.

Pros:
New Bridgestone S11 tires with Dynabeads.
New front brake pads.
Decent OEM seat comes with near new Saddleman double bucket seat.
AM/FM stereo, intercom, CB.
Gauge dashboard.
Passenger floorboards.
Some add-ons chrome sharkgills, turn signal grills, back rest.
Carbs clean and working as they should.
Three wire conversion to protect stator done.
Paint fair for desert bike with some clearcoat issues.
All major systems working.

Cons:
Again this is a high mileage bike, true mileage unknown.
Slight knock during acceleration, but no loss of power.
Possible right headgasket needs replacing.
Fork seals need replacing.

$1,000 firm no trades cash deal only, test ride with motorcycle classification and cash in hand only.



Well that's it folks...I don't care if you have 3 posts or 3,000 posts I want your opinion as I love and trust this community. I'm not looking for a list of repairs I could/should make, I just need to get as much for Old Girlfriend as I can as she sits towards my next Wing. Repairs just aren't in my budget.

I know this thread is long and very inconcise, but I'm a bit despondent at the moment.

-Randy

 

[AApple]

Yeeesh.....even needing a head gasket, and fork seals, the price sounds low....
If yer looking for a quick sale, that should do it.
Really sorry to hear Ol Gurlfriend hasta go....she's been sweet to ya.... :crying:

 

[mwbill37841]

just being honest , in your sale is good. doesn't matter what you are asking some one will try and get you to give it away. stay firm.

 

[Omega Man]

Just called Dan, and I'm going to raise the price to $1,300. Does anyone think $1,500 is a better starting point?

~O~

 

[dan filipi]

Your post looks good to me but I do agree the price is too low especially since most buyers will offer less.
I really think you should start at $1,300 then go NO lower than $1,000.
It is riding season after all and this is the perfect time to sell a bike.

It will be a sad day when Old Girlfriend is gone.
Hopefully a member here, or the buyer will become a member here so we can keep her "in the family".

Edit: I think $1500 is a bit high but you can always go down, not up.
Well I suppose you could go up if you get a lot of bites.

 

[Anonymous]

I pay $500 or less for bikes like that all the time, when it says firm I simply come out to look at it let the owner know what I do with them and what need to pay for it to make it worth while I assess it at and follow up a month or two later. By that time the owner generally has come to realize the actual value and I normally drag it home. In this case I would say the tires might be worth something extra but the Vetter fairing is hard to move.
That's not to say that sometimes they find someone looking for a project that pays more for it.

you asked for the tough answer - sorry

 

[cooltech]

I would start at 1500.00 and go no lower that te 1000.00 it still is a nice looking ride
up here you would get it and sorry too hear that she's got too go. :help:

 

[mcgovern61]

Fork seals are a piece of cake for most parts changers (unless you work in the parking lot....which I think you do). Even with the head gasket change, I would start no lower than $1300 and let them cash you down to $1000. It is still a good deal.

 

[Steve83]

I think $1,000 is a very fair price. If it were mine, I'd offer to do the fork seals and head gasket(s) if they'll give me $1,500, with enough up front to cover the parts.

I wish I lived closer, and had the cash, I'd buy it from you. (Like I need another project...)

 

[Omega Man]

Thanks for the replies! Here is the CL posting, I put $1,500 to give em some room to negotiate. :whistling:

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/3744086334.html

~O~

 

[Ansimp]

I often leave the radiator off the full lock so that there is no pressure in the cooling system, have even removed the pressure spring and just used the cap to stop water/ coolant splashing out. This should stop the hydraulicing and hard starting after riding to work. You will consume fluid but not as much as with a pressurised system, jus make sure you check and top up all the time. I hope to be in Henderson at the end of August.

 

[joedrum]

in the conditon of the bike randy and the miles it has and the unknowns in its present condition ....i have to agree with 1060 ...its a parts bike with suspect motor .....it to bad you have no room to check things ....its obvious it not going to be any use to someone unless its an skilled oldwinger with parts and matby a motor to throw in it ...to make it good .....i bet the antifreeze is caked in that cylinder big time ....in my opinion its best to sale the to someone who can fix it at a good price so its worth it to them ...in its present condition 500 is it to me and peace of mind .... :mrgreen:

 

[detdrbuzzard]

around here you would be lucky to get $1000 - $1500 for a wing needing a head gasket
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/mcy/3709043391.html
https://flint.craigslist.org/mcy/3650427947.html

 

[dan filipi]

Was been sitting for a few years

I think I'd pass on this one.