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Message started by Boofer on 08/28/16 at 17:10:53

Title: Sold the 650
Post by Boofer on 08/28/16 at 17:10:53

I must say that I have had a good time on this Forum and a really good time riding an '01 LS650P for the last 19,000 miles. I am 63 and have led a life of hard work and suffered back pain most of that time. Lately, the Savage has been causing bad pain in my elbows and hands. So when she quit I decided to not fix the starter AND an overdue timing chain replacement. I just watched her leave for Oklahoma an hour or so ago. I made the deal over a month ago, so when my wife gave me the ok for something just to keep the tremors at bay, I bought a 1981 GL500 SilverWing naked. 10,880 miles--original paint--runs mostly on the right cylinder. Already found a melted wire connection. This thing is like working on a car. I love it! Rides great on Pro-Link (no Shocks).

Anyway, this isn't a Honda site, so you guys can type in GL500 and either admire or laugh--either is fine with me.

Guess who bought it. Boofer :)

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by engineer on 08/28/16 at 17:41:24

Good luck with the new ride and glad to hear that you got another bike and will continue to ride. I am also an older rider and have back problems. I wear a simple elastic/velcro type back brace when I ride and it helps a lot.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/28/16 at 18:45:02

I'll laugh.. I laughed when Reelthing gave me the price for my bike. I like the GL500. I'll laugh because you're still riding. Kinda like a Guzzi.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Ruttly on 08/28/16 at 19:10:29

Those water cooled Honda 500s run forever 100k is very possible!

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by gizzo on 08/29/16 at 16:14:58

Good Luck with the GL, boofer. Theres a lot to like about those bikes. I'm helping my daughter's boyfriend build a cafe racer from a cx, pretty much the same thing. I guess you've found the cx500 forum. They seem like a good bunch too.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Steve H on 08/29/16 at 18:26:28

Those are some nice bikes. There are a few engine seals that are now being listed as NLA. Probably standard if you can find a dealer that sells seals and is willing to work with you.

Supposed to be quite comfortable touring from what I've heard. Just a little underpowered.

Have fun with it. Enjoy having enough room to move a little.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Boofer on 08/29/16 at 21:41:12

Appreciate the kind words. Gizz, I have the '81 model with the transistorized ignition and timing chain problems fixed. The stator is also more of a problem with earlier models. Look up www.Genebit Systems. Check out ignition problems and charging problems. VERY detailed instructions, photos, and breakdown between the CX of every year and the GL, even up to the 650. I rode a CX a few years back in what has been a long search. I passed a couple up waiting for an '81 or newer. This one is unmolested with original paint and 10,880 miles. The 500s have 48 hp and have good power for passing but not drag racing.

Mine cranks at a touch but continues to run mostly on the right cylinder. Battery problems show the same symptoms as a clogged carb, and I will be replacing the battery Thursday and ride around with a little SeaFoam in the tank. Have not had time to check 35 yr old coils or even plug wires, but I expect the problem to be fairly simple. Boofer

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Serowbot on 08/29/16 at 22:12:28

HondaGuzzi's ROCK!!!... ;D

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Boofer on 08/29/16 at 23:16:14

Bot, Where I live it's easier to get parts for a 35 yr old Honda than a new Guzzi! ;D

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by LANCER on 08/30/16 at 09:05:51

Thank you for your kind hospitality, a true Southern Gentleman, it was very much appreciated.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by Boofer on 08/30/16 at 19:42:43

Great to meet you and Versy. It's good to have a design engineer to figure out how to get 3 bikes on a 2 bike vehicle. I've had so many surgeries lately my mind is in slow motion. I wanted to show you my mint 1873 Springfield .45-70. Forgot it. Hope the route to Jackson, Tn worked for you guys.

My research showed that the Honda GL showed the same symptoms as a clogged carb from a weak battery. Versy's advice to use a little SeaFoam is exactly what I tried today just to get it in the bowls. New battery will be in tomorrow. Then I'll dig deeper after a shakedown run. I think I bought my last bike, one way or another. Since so many are being snapped up for cafe racers now, I want to leave it unmolested and original. I don't miss the Savage, because she was really hurtin' me. But boy she was great for a long time--even saved me once when I got the dreaded left turn in front of me. Rode her like a dirt bike. Somehow came out on the other side.

Versy, Lancer, ya'll come back, now. Boofer

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by LANCER on 08/31/16 at 06:59:34

644949404354260 wrote:

Great to meet you and Versy. It's good to have a design engineer to figure out how to get 3 bikes on a 2 bike vehicle. I've had so many surgeries lately my mind is in slow motion. I wanted to show you my mint 1873 Springfield .45-70. Forgot it. Hope the route to Jackson, Tn worked for you guys.

My research showed that the Honda GL showed the same symptoms as a clogged carb from a weak battery. Versy's advice to use a little SeaFoam is exactly what I tried today just to get it in the bowls. New battery will be in tomorrow. Then I'll dig deeper after a shakedown run. I think I bought my last bike, one way or another. Since so many are being snapped up for cafe racers now, I want to leave it unmolested and original. I don't miss the Savage, because she was really hurtin' me. But boy she was great for a long time--even saved me once when I got the dreaded left turn in front of me. Rode her like a dirt bike. Somehow came out on the other side.

Versy, Lancer, ya'll come back, now. Boofer

I recall you did mention your Springfield. You said it had been in the family a long time I believe. In the midst of all the effort that went in to getting your bike on my truck and the time involved it seems we all forgot. I would love to get back your way again.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/31/16 at 07:12:12

Antique guns and watches always seem to be valued by collectors for so much less than I think they should be worth. I do like seeing those things.
Antiques Roadshow and Pawn Stars are fun to watch sometimes. I think it's great when someone buys something at a garage sale for five bucks and it's worth fifty thousand..

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by RaleighGuy on 09/01/16 at 04:35:36

5F4046415C5B6A5A6A52404C07350 wrote:

-----------------------------------

I love Antique Roadshow too. A buddy at work tried to convince me that all those items and situations are staged but I said that's bullsh_t. Some of them might be "planted" to make the show a little more interesting but I think for the most part, a lot of people just don't know what their grandma left in the attic and when they find out, they are shocked!! It's fun to see some of their faces when they learn that some ol' ugly lamp that's shaped like an avocado is worth $5K. ;D

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by ohiomoto on 09/01/16 at 07:37:58

Who's laughing...now get to work. :)

http://tenwheel.com/imgs/a/c/f/z/g/1981_honda_gl500_cafe_racer_1_lgw.jpg

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/01/16 at 07:56:49

I don't see Anything wrong with those bikes. Underappreciated is what I see.

And a guy was here the other day who owns a Savage and a Harley..

The savage is underappreciated in the world of bikers.

Title: Re: Sold the 650
Post by old_rider on 09/03/16 at 08:58:01

Went to a bike night.... lotsa models and makes...
I parked the savage next to a couple of Harley sportsters (older ones).
A fella asked me about the tour pack I had on the back, I told him it was off my 07' road glide, then he said, "I didn't know they made a Harley with one cylinder", "how old is that thing?"
Well, my jacket was laying over my seat and covering the LS Suzuki printed on the little triangle piece. I just simply picked up my jacket and tossed in on the top of the tour pack, his eyes followed my movement and he seen the words.
I didn't say anything so's the young guys would not be able to give the old biker a hard time, he just shook his head and said "Nice tour pack setup" I said "Yeah I like it, I just replaced the lights with led's", we kept talkin' so the young guys just walked away.... I don't think they even knew it wasn't a Harley :)
So I guess they walked off and told their buddies about the old savage harley they just saw.... at least I hope they did :)