Tis a sad day...

[primal]

I sold my GZ today. I'm gonna miss the little thumper, I really am. However, on the bright side, now I can afford a new bike over the winter. So, yea... and just FYI, I'm still going to hang around here, and I'll still be recommending the GZ to every new rider I meet. :)

[jonathan180iq]

Sorry to hear that.

IF you play your cards right, you can get a pretty good material return for your sale.
I have a thread like this one....somewhere on the forum.

[primal]

I'm looking at scoring an 83 Goldwing for less than $1500. Haven't taken a look at it yet, but if they guy is being honest with me it just needs the starter solenoid repaired/replaced and a new rear brake line.

[Easy Rider]

if they guy is being honest with me it just needs.........

Same song, one millionth verse. SIGH!

What he is really saying is: It won't start and I THINK it's the solenoid. It's not a question of honesty as much as competency. He may be "honest" but clueless.

What you should tell him: OK, you get the starter and brake line fixed so I can do a proper test ride.......to a mechanic for an evaluation. If that turns out OK, I will pay you the $1,500 PLUS the cost of a solenoid and brake line. Any other costs getting it running are on YOU.

IMHO, if it really is in good shape (for it's age) then $2K would even be a good price.
A bike that old will probably need a few "things" though.

[patrick_777]

A bike that old will probably need a few "things" though.

...like a starter solenoid and a rear brake line...

:biggrin:
:poked:

[Easy Rider]

[quote="Easy Rider":j16uxtrr]A bike that old will probably need a few "things" though.

...like a starter solenoid and a rear brake line...

:biggrin:
:poked:[/quote:j16uxtrr]

And maybe tires, battery, plugs, coolant, clutch, brake shoes, etc.

[primal]

He said it starts if you "cross the solenoid with a screw driver." Sounds like it could be a fairly easy fix... a few minutes with a soldering iron at least, a $34 starter solenoid (from Z1 Enterprises, I've already checked ;) ) at worst. But yea, I know that even $2000 would be a good price, so I'm gonna see where it goes from here.

[Easy Rider]

so I'm gonna see where it goes from here.

The point IS: It ain't fixed until it is FIXED. The seller should fix known problems before the sale.
If you don't insist on that, you are taking a BIG chance. Can you afford to do that ?? What if your $35 fix turns into $200......or $500.....in addition to whatever else it needs. Things can (and DO) get out of hand real fast.

Don't let those stars in your eyes blind you.
And, yes, I've strained my leg a few times from kicking myself in the ass. It's not fun. :skull:

[primal]

I see what you're saying Easy, but at the same time I kind of liked the idea of a project bike for the winter... I dunno, I'll have to think about it I suppose.

[primal]

Well, looks like the Goldwing is out. He sent me pictures, and the bike looks pretty nice, but he had started taking it apart to paint, and he never got around to actually doing it. So, its more than I really want to fool with.

I'm gonna check out an 82 Honda GL500I Silverwing on Saturday (weather permitting), and I've also got my eye on an 86 Yamaha Virago 700 in very nice shape.

[patrick_777]

Just an innocent question here. Why did you sell your GZ if you're just going to buy another bike right away? Was it not good enough for you?

[primal]

I need an interstate worthy bike, plain and simple. If I lived in the city I probably would have kept the GZ, but I commute so far that it is really mind numbing riding in more or less stop and go traffic for my daily 50 mile round trip. As much as I liked the GZ, I had always intended on using it as a starter bike before moving up to something a bit bigger.

[patrick_777]

That's cool. I was just curious. Have you looked at this (http://charlestonwv.craigslist.org/mcy/887578895.html)?

[primal]

Yes, in fact it is on eBay right now. It's on my watch list at the moment, haha.

[patrick_777]

I would rat that thing out faster than anything...

[primal]

That's EXACTLY what I was considering! It's just askin' for some cafe or drag bars on it, too. However, right now I'm leaning more towards a functional bike. If I wanted a rat bike, there's a KZ750 in the ad bulletin for $650 (but, of course, it needs carb work, which is why I haven't called about it).

Hmm... now you've got me thinkin'!

[patrick_777]

You can do a whole lot with drag bars, some J-B Weld and a can of charcoal-grill paint.

[primal]

J-B Weld? What would you use that for on bars?

[patrick_777]

Those three things really aren't related. I would use them on separate parts of the bike...after a trip to a couple of salvage yards.

[primal]

Oh! Haha, I was trying to figure out what sort of contraption you'd be JB Welding onto the handle bars...

I'm really liking the idea of that KZ550 with Clubman-style bars and a quarter fairing... decked out in all matte black... *drools* Now if I can just find an aftermarket KZ550 seat... or at least some ideas on how to modify it to look better.

[patrick_777]

You might could fabricate a baseplate and mod a more stylish seat. I'd personally chop the rear fender at the shock and go for a single bucket...

Ala BMW's rat concept:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/prototype-spy-concept/2009-BMW-LoRiderConcepta-small.jpg

Here's a KZ550 with shorties on it.
http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2003%5C06%5C13%5Cbikepics-50162-full.jpg

[primal]

I might give fabricating a new baseplate a try, but my metalworking tools are non-existant... Do you have any good resources for fabricating things like seat baseplates?

[patrick_777]

Not really. I'm not a big fabricator either, but I think with the right motivation, I could take a shot.

I've always wanted an anvil though...

[primal]

Well, I checked out a GL500 today (they guy told me it was the interstate model... it was NOT). Man, those had to be the most uncomfortable handlebars in the world. What are they called, ramshorn handlebars or something? They definitely needed changing. I only ended up riding the thing for about a quarter of a mile... the handlebars were uncomfortable and the carbs were buggered up, making for a VERY unpredictable throttle. I emailed the guy with the KZ550 to see if I could take a look at the bike.

On a side note, man, I'm gonna miss how LIGHT the GZ250 is! I had to turn around on a single lane road on the GL500 and was dismayed when I discovered I couldn't simply walk the bike backwards ON LEVEL GROUND for a 3-point turn. I had to get off the bike and manhandle it around. I guess that extra 200 lbs really makes a difference!

[Easy Rider]

On a side note, man, I'm gonna miss how LIGHT the GZ250 is!

We tried to tell you! :cry:
And I think it might be MORE than 200 lbs. more.

[primal]

The GL500 is right at 500 lbs dry. I'm not gonna try to calculate the difference in wet weight. =P

It was a bit tall for my 30" inseam, which was probably the main problem. I need to find a bike with a sub-30" seat height.

[patrick_777]

You should try a GZ250...

[Easy Rider]

The GL500 is right at 500 lbs dry. I'm not gonna try to calculate the difference in wet weight. =P

It was a bit tall for my 30" inseam, which was probably the main problem. I need to find a bike with a sub-30" seat height.

I need to pay closer attention. I thought it was a GL 1000. :oops:

I understand the inseam problem; mine is about 28". That limits the choices even more. :cry: