Trader Posted July 19, 2011 #1 Posted July 19, 2011 Tomorrow morning I'm heading out to start on my journey to pick up my new to me 88VR I got thru ebay. Although I'm only going to Chicago...it's going to feel like a LOT longer getting there. My wife is driving me to Watertown NY (about 2 1/2 hrs from home) I'm taking a bus from Watertown to Syracuse NY. (2:35-5:15) then wait for just over 4 hous (9:35) to take an overnight train to Chicago, arriving at 9:45 am. Then I have to Kill more time hours before I can meet up with the owner of the bike I bought. THEN THE FUN BEGINS....I'll do a thorough check of the bike...and hit the road Wed night. 860 miles home. I'm a marchmellow butt so... I'm only going to ride 3 hours Wed. evening and camp at a KOA just off the hiway. Then to Rochester NY (7 hours) and crash at "Jayceesfolly" (a member here) Thursday night. Finally , home on Friday. (4 hours) If anybody is free on Thursday thru the day in the Chicago area....let me know....maybe we can connect? I'll be rolling into Union Station around 9:45 am Thursday!
dingy Posted July 19, 2011 #2 Posted July 19, 2011 (edited) Let's review, A 23 year old motorcycle (notoriously dependable one though) A car, bus & train journey. Bought on Ebay from a person you didn't know existed until that Submit Bid button hit. Hopefully the pictures weren't from a hundred feet back. I appreciate a fellow human being that trusts their fellow man. (At least till Thursday afternoon) Gary Edited July 19, 2011 by dingy
XV1100SE Posted July 19, 2011 #3 Posted July 19, 2011 Hope your trip goes smoothly ! Just saw this online - another highlight on the site seeing tour of the Windy City ! http://travel.sympatico.ca/hot_topics/articles/marylin_statue
Trader Posted July 23, 2011 Author #4 Posted July 23, 2011 Let's review, A 23 year old motorcycle (notoriously dependable one though) A car, bus & train journey. Bought on Ebay from a person you didn't know existed until that Submit Bid button hit. Hopefully the pictures weren't from a hundred feet back. I appreciate a fellow human being that trusts their fellow man. (At least till Thursday afternoon) Gary Well....it worked out pretty good. I picked up the bike in Aurora Il and drove just over 1100 miles to get it home...including about 200 miles extra for ah...well I got....lets just call it an unplanned detour The bike runs OK....about 34 mph one up with a lite load and trailer...all on super slab. Pictures were a pretty good representation...but I got a LOT of safety chrome and estra parts I didn't even know I was getting. IT doesn't idle worth a hoot. When I got to Jayceesfolly (Jim C) we pulled the tank cover off it and discovered big gapeing holes in the top of the airbox. We covered the holes up with duct tape...and It seemed to help at first but in no time it was back to the same lousy idle. It needs almost full choke just to keep running at idle. Still Seafoming it but no real change yet. Going to start investigating a bit more in a few days. Prepare to be bombarded with newbie questions! (Jim had to point out where the CB Transmit button was!!!!!) It needs front brake pads, and the clutch probably needs bleeding...it was getting pretty clunky by the end of the ride but all in all I"m pretty happy with the gamble EVen with all the "trains planes and automobiles" stuff going on....I still saved anywhere from $1000 to $1500. A HUGE THANK YOU to Jim and Sheila. Their hospitality and friendliness was truely appreciated. I LOVE THIS FORUM!!!!! ps...now I gotta edit my pics of states visited!!!
BradT Posted July 24, 2011 #5 Posted July 24, 2011 Glad to hear you made it home, without any issues. A good tune up and a maintenance and your off and running Brad
KarlS Posted July 24, 2011 #6 Posted July 24, 2011 Well....it worked out pretty good. I picked up the bike in Aurora Il and drove just over 1100 miles to get it home...including about 200 miles extra for ah...well I got....lets just call it an unplanned detour The bike runs OK....about 34 mph one up with a lite load and trailer...all on super slab. Pictures were a pretty good representation...but I got a LOT of safety chrome and estra parts I didn't even know I was getting. IT doesn't idle worth a hoot. When I got to Jayceesfolly (Jim C) we pulled the tank cover off it and discovered big gapeing holes in the top of the airbox. We covered the holes up with duct tape...and It seemed to help at first but in no time it was back to the same lousy idle. It needs almost full choke just to keep running at idle. Still Seafoming it but no real change yet. Going to start investigating a bit more in a few days. Prepare to be bombarded with newbie questions! (Jim had to point out where the CB Transmit button was!!!!!) It needs front brake pads, and the clutch probably needs bleeding...it was getting pretty clunky by the end of the ride but all in all I"m pretty happy with the gamble EVen with all the "trains planes and automobiles" stuff going on....I still saved anywhere from $1000 to $1500. A HUGE THANK YOU to Jim and Sheila. Their hospitality and friendliness was truely appreciated. I LOVE THIS FORUM!!!!! ps...now I gotta edit my pics of states visited!!!
Trader Posted July 24, 2011 Author #7 Posted July 24, 2011 OK....I know the rules....here's some pics.. I was impressed that it has chrome "filler strips" behind the clutch cover and Stator??? on the other. It also has chrome caps on top of the brake and clutch resevoir Over all its in pretty good shape...some cracks and tabs to be repaired...and I have to do something like polished aluminum or plexi to fil in the side case where the vents are supposed be mounted.
BradT Posted July 25, 2011 #8 Posted July 25, 2011 Most 2+ year olds have a few cracks, but that looks pretty good. Good deal. Brad
Evan Posted July 25, 2011 #9 Posted July 25, 2011 Quite a journey Steve. Glad you are happy so far with your new 88VR after your long ride home. Mine has been great so far and I just turned 150,000 km's today. Looking forward to seeing you again.
Marcarl Posted July 25, 2011 #10 Posted July 25, 2011 Looking good Steve,, I think you done very well,,, some work can be expected. We plan to be in Ottawa in Sept,,, maybe see it then.
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