Honestly, Joe, I'm sorry I caused any worry -- I just had gotten a little heartsick at having nothing to ride while wanting to 'get in the wind' so badly. I just took a break from looking in here or at any other motorcycling site.
It sounds like you're making good progress toward having a decent dresser, however hard I've made it for you. Seems you're coming to the same conclusion I had about the bike before the wreck -- it's a sound base for a good machine, but needs work. Too bad you're having to discover all over again some of the things I'd done over my ownership.
During my last oil change, for example, I'd used 16 oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil -- which, essentially, is ATF -- in the refill, and had seen some improvement. I'd begun scouting for coils/plug wires, so am gratified to learn that that, indeed, seems to have been the problem with the iffy cylinder. But, most of any good I'd done was lost, I'm sure, when the bike sat for 5 weeks before you got it. You're probably starting at the same place I started at, though you'll get it up to speed faster.
Glad, though not surprised, to hear your wife liked riding 'back seat' to you on it. My riding partner and I were amazed that we could carry on a spoken-voice conversation behind the windshield/fairing without too much volume. It was/is really a great 2-up machine!
I know it's draining you of your Goldwing resources, Joe, but I'm glad that you've got the bike because you'll make it road-worthy again, and enjoy and appreciate it. I didn't have enough time on it to really make it mine, but felt, finally, that it was a worthy touring motorcycle. I just hope I can make as reliable a restart as that Goldwing has in your care.
