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Well, as they always do, my vacation is ending. I have just the rest of the day and tomorrow I must work. I had a few days off so I'm not complaining. My last day of work before vacation was the 2nd of June, my birthday, and off until the 26th. I spent the first week of vacation in California helping my sister and her husband move into their new house in Seaside CA. It was a short sale so they got it for a great price. It even has a bay view from the second floor.
As usual, I scan Craig's list for any deals that might be in the offing in the area. This brings me to the subject of my post today, Honesty on Craig's list. The first ad was for a 1982 Yamaha XV900 Euro. For those of you that are in the know, these were the Virago engine with and enclosed chain drive. I have always thought they looked a little like Vincents and that was the plan. In great condition, the ad said, needs minor work to finish, 1700 bucks. I investigated and found a bike that was partly disassembled and missing parts. There were no brake calipers and the tires were crap. the seat had a mouse living in it and exhaust was rusted through in many places. Thanks but no thanks. The next bike was a 92 Kawasaki Concours. A blue one.for 2100 bucks. A great deal and I always liked those bikes having owned one in the mid 90s. Arraigned to look at it and it was as advertised. A blue Connie with a Corbin seat and rifle windshield, decent tires etc. I was ready to count out the money and the owner mentioned that if I wanted the accessories, IE the seat and the windshield, it would be 2800 bucks. Also the odometer didn't work so he didn't know exactly how many miles their were on the bike. Strike two. California vacation over.
Now up to New England. Three bikes captured my attention, a 87 Connie, red, a '95 Night Hawk 750 and a 84 Night Hawk S. The Connie was another miss. The fairing was bent and the exhaust was dented and although it only had 21k miles, I could hear the cam chain slapping around inside the engine. Then a vintage 1974 Honda CB550, all orig. not run since 1995. Not registered since 1989. Intriguing, called and was directed to this yard in the middle of no-where Mass. I inspected the bike, it was as advertised, untouched except by time. always stored in doors. I didn't even dicker on the price. $500 bucks, and he threw in a parts bike and two CX500 engines that were sitting on the shelf. It was a good day. Got is back to sisters house, installed a new battery, turned the key and all the lights came on. Pushed the starter and the engine spun over and the oil pressure light went out. Getting better all the time. A little starting fluid and , would you believe it, it started and idled for a moment. I was happy.
The guy with the night hawk still hadn't called so I looked at the other bike, a 95 nighthawk 750. The owner had failed to mention that the bike had 67k miles on it. To much for me. That night however, another Night hawk 750 reared it's head and it was a beauty. 1 owner since new. 21k miles runs great, looks great 1650. Called and arranged to look at it the next day. What a heart breaker. The bike was exactly as advertised. The guy bought it new in 92 as a retirement present to himself. He would ride it during the summer in nice weather only. The bike had never seen rain, always stored indoors. Serviced by the local Honda dealer at which it was purchased. All service docs included as well as a Corbin seat, windshield and rack. Engine guards were installed on the bike as well as a new rear tire. He went so far as to soak the exterior of the engine with WD40 when he put it away for the winter so the aluminum would not oxidize. The bike was immaculate, needed a front tire and a battery. The poor guy was selling it because his family thought he was to old to ride anymore. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I counted out the dollars without comment. I promised him that I would take care of her as well as he had. Geeze, what is to old to ride? I would rather die. He helped me load the bike on to my truck and watched as we drove out out the neighborhood. My wife, ever the soft one was like, oh brother it's just a motorcycle, how heartless. I had tears coming down my eyes.
Well, home again, the two engines have been pickled for later use and the 550 had it's carbs cleaned and I'm riding it around. Don't know if I should paint it. It's all orig. and unrestored. Gets alot of attention. The 750 runs perfect, It got a bath, an oil change with filter and a waxing. It glows as well as a black bike can. BTW, the guy with the Night Hawk finally called me back and told me that he still had the bike. I responded to him that I never heard back from him and I bought something else.
Al
A whole bunch of old junk
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