I have purchased a 1981 Honda Silverwing Interstate aka GL500. I have just got my learners motorcycle license. The motorcycle was purchased on craigslist from a 'gentleman' who stated that someone has put a down payment on it and never came back to pay for the rest of it. His price was $1200 firm. He lived in Chilliwack.I arranged to come look at it on a Friday evening before heading out of the country the next day for a trip. When I arrived late he had it waiting, running... not a good sign. He stated there was perhaps a small electrical problem which made the starter not work and there was an oil leak from the shifter shaft. While I was there it also puked gas out of the
overflow tube, supposedly not a big deal. The owner stated that he wouldn't hesitate in taking it for a long road trip. I took it for a test ride and it seemed to run fine so I dropped my big wad and raced off to insure it all very, very last minute.
Instead of driving it home to Vancouver I left it with some friends in Abbotsford until I returned from my trip. Later I returned to Abbotsford (see picture) and drove the bike home.
It barely turned over and had to be bump started. I gassed up down the street and it had to be bump started again. Once on the road things seemed A OK. I made it as far as Nanaimo and Grandview Highway when the bike completely died. There was no juice whatsoever; no starter, no bump starting.I pulled it over. There was 4 lanes of traffic with no shoulder. After dodging traffic I finally had a look at the machine. I removed the battery and took it to Canadian Tire. They said I had a dead cell and the voltage was at 8.5 Volts. It should be around 12.5. All I wanted to do was get it home so I wanted to buy another battery. I was told to go to another Canadian Tire on Cambie St. 15 minutes away. They had a battery but it needed to be assembled and charged, taking at least 3 hrs. Eventually everything worked out, all be it an all day affair. So far it had not been a pleasant experience.
Stay tuned. More horror stories to follow!
