GoldWing World

FOR SALE (SOLD)

$10,000

PHOENIX, my faithful GL-1500 appears to have just sold to a gentleman in the Blue Knights! As such I know she'll continue to get ridden and bring joy and may happy (s)miles to her new owner.

(WAS) for sale. I've added a sidecar (not yet color matched) in an attempt to get my wife to ride her but it didn't happen, and I won't let a bike this wonderful sit and not be ridden! If you know of someone wanted a top-class bike with loads of extras please direct them to me.

EXTRAS

I'm asking 10,000 but the bike has over $4,000 in tasteful extras AND a $3,000 electrically controlled Champion Side Car attached just 500 miles ago so the Blue Book of $9,500 for a base Aspencade really doesn't apply. This is a great buy for someone who wants a fairly low mileage (less then 50K) well maintained Wing that they can buy and go. The bike is outfitted with many options including the following:

	Air Horns
	Most lighting upgrades including side-panels, backup light, brake-light modulator, fairing accent lights and SE-style turning lights.
	Upgraded headlight to the 2000 and later model
	Corbin saddle with backrest and full passenger electronic controls allowing the passenger to control the radio, CB etc.
	Progressive front and rear suspension, with lowered eyelets in the rear
	Tulsa Tinted windscreen with vent
	Turn-signal mirrors (Chrome) which light a directional arrow in the mirror itself
	An Extractor for more low-end torque and acceleration.
	A ride-off stand
	Champion Sidecar (not color matched yet) with electric lean controls
	Tasteful carbon-fiber dash accents on instrument panel and around vents only
	SE style Spoiler on trunk
	Hondaline CB Radio (non standard on Aspencade)
	Wind Wings
	Dynamically adjustable Heat vent covers that allow you to direct engine heat back on you in the Winter and add a custom look - no longer available these were a hot item (excuse the pun)
	New (2 month old) Gell-Cell sealed battery
	Accessory-driven fuse box for accessories
	Rear Passenger Speakers
	Kuryakin Chrome 'short reach' levers for clutch and brakes
	Built-in Video Recording system for full-size VHS tapes installed and available at full price - to be pulled if less then $10,000 is offered
	Camcorder mount on left lower engine guard designed to hold and adjust a full-size VHS camera at full lean angles
	All routine maintenance done in addition to replacing the alternator brushes as a precaution at 40K miles when a warranty repair to replace the LCD display was done.

To see more go to the following web site or check out the add on Cycle Trader http://www.goldwing-world.com/phoenix_gl-1500.htm

John Bunton

3443 Cloverdale lane, Dallas TX 75234

972 488-9040 eve

469 775-6375 day

johnb@microsoft.com

Please don't let this bike sit and rot! She's my baby and she deserves to be ridden.

Harley Davidson’s and Honda Gold Wings have one thing in common: their owners NEVER leave them stock. If you read the story about my poor GL-1200 VAMPIRELLA you know that in Washington State I had a breather box fire and sold her to a fellow co-worker at Microsoft. Not able to do without a bike however I started a search which ended when I found a pristine GL-1500 Aspencade with 3,003 miles on her for sale from the 2^nd owner. Saddlebag lights and a light-bar surrounding the tags had been installed already, as well as amber “rings of fire” and the bike was CLEAN so I snatched it up.

Immediately the customization began – first I added more lights in place of the side fairing reflectors, then a CB. In the two months that followed I put over 3,000 miles on “Phoenix” as she came to be called touring the Washington state highways – this is remarkable as I only had Sunday’s and the occasional Saturday free to ride - but anyone who's been to Washington state when it's not raining can understand.

So how did I decide on the name? Well besides the obvious corollary from this bike “rising from the ashes” of my 1200 there was also a great X-Men character named “Jane Grey” who became “Phoenix” a creature so powerful she could “move through time and space by the power of her mind alone” . . . VERY appropriate for this bike! The picture above is on both of my Wind Wings, and was done by Brandon McKinney.

I've put the Kuryaken chrome levers on it, at which time the left (clutch) lever micro switch showed it was worn a bit - the only real mechanical issue with the bike right now. That means that at times if you don't press "out" on the clutch lever the cruise control may not set ... I've been meaning to puts shims behind the micro switch or film on the lever to correct that. My wife had purchased a 1990 Wing with a sidecar to tote the dogs around in, which we took the sidecar off (about 500 miles ago) and put on this bike - hoping to be able to get her to ride it enough to justify keeping it. Alas the dogs never really took to it and my wife only rides her Ninja so I can't justify keeping her. Just put a new sealed battery in it on 4/10/03

She's a great bike and I hate to sell her but I'd rather someone who will ride her owns her then have her sit in my garage!

As she is today: for sale with sidecar!

Adding Video to Phoenix

	Seen here with her ‘shortened’ stock shield, Phoenix artwork by Brandon McKinney, pin striping and special camera mounts Phoenix is near the end of her customization. I have some carbon-fiber look dash elements, and I am upgrading her video capabilities to include a switcher, a built-in VCR and more than one camera but for now she’s set to ride. A partial list of the addition’s I’ve made since I purchased her are included below with links to close-up views of each. One of my favorites is the combination Compass / altimeter / temperature gauge that I’ve mounted on the dash.
	A shot of the front with the upgraded headlight. I like the looks and light output of the newer model light, although it WAS a bit pricey! I left the turn signals stock as I prefer not to have them the clear look. This was prior to replacing the Tulsa with a tinted version.
	Here is Phoenix days after I purchased her in Redmond Washington in 1998. Notice she had no CB antenna, and few auxiliary parts except for the passenger armrests (which I removed later) some lights and a little touch of chrome. I fell instantly in love with this wonderful machine as I explored the mountains and back roads of Washington state. Then I rode her home (2,300 miles) in 2 days and three hours. I then had the pleasure of trailering her and my CBR up there in the summer of 2000 – from July to November I rode the wonderful roads that only Washington state has to offer. I highly recommend a trip in late June, July or August (the sunny months) to the Seattle area. I’ll put up a page later on my travels up there, hopefully with some video I shot.
	On the trip back home in 98 I went through Colorado. This picture was taken from the cockpit while traveling one of the many scenic roads throughout this portion of the U.S. – I can only say “Go there, do it!” This is the country where Honda shot the video of the new GL-1800 BTW – wonderful stretches of twisty roads with only a few fellow travelers most of the time.
	Same time, same place, but this one shows off the helmet I purchased when I bought the new bike. Note the “John” in letters I replaced “Shoei” with . . . it took some time before I got used to having people I just met call me by name I’ll tell ya! Since then I cut out my own letters in a reflective Gold. Looks good, and has held up very well. I still wear Gargoyles when I ride although this pair has long since bit the dust . .. eye protection: never leave home without it!
	A pretty good shot showing the custom pinstriping on the saddlebags and the Corbin saddle. Not the cornering lights mounted in the lowers too - I elected to glue then in rather then drill holes like many do.

TRIP TO NC: SLIP SLIDING AWAY

The First of February, 2000 I had an opportunity to go to Charlotte NC for my company. Checking the weather in advance I saw lots of rain, but warm temps so I opted to ride the bike rather than have the company spring for a plane ticket. Since I had the perfect excuse (safety chrome) I used this trip to purchase and install a Tulsa Belly pan, which does actually seem to make some difference - much to my surprise! I also bought some gore-tex gloves and some heater-packs 'just in case' in got cold. This turned out to be the best $50.00 I ever spent!

Saturday Morning I loaded up, put on my weather gear and headed out. Except for a little rain in the Dallas area it was nice, and the temperature got up to @ 60 degrees. I stopped in a little hotel in AL early because it started to rain heavily and I thought I could finish the trip the next day with no problems (it was only 1008 miles from the house to Charlotte anyway) . . . I know now that I should have pressed on!

Sunday started with the rain still going heavily and colder than expected (and reported) temps, but having no choice off I went. Riding slightly slower in the rain I still expected to get to my destination by 5 PM at the latest. But the other side of Atlanta Georgia I ran into even COLDER temps, with 33 reported on the radio, and my thermometer on the bike saying 20! I pressed on being cautious on the overpasses and thanking God and REI for catalytic heat packets. Then about 80 miles from my destination I began noticing that the rain seemed brighter in my headlights somehow and glancing around noticed snow sticking to the ground. IT WAS SNOWING!

After fighting it for about 30 miles I heard a report on the radio of the temperature being 28 and snow falling. As quickly as possible I found a good place and pulled off - only to find 3/4 inch slush building on the access ramp! I went inside to warm up and check for the closest rent-a-car place. It was 20 miles away, near my final destination, and I was assured that the ice and snow 'shouldn't stick' (this while the ice trucks were spraying the overpass I was on) and that it was better back towards Charlotte.

Saying a quick prayer of thanks for the 30 miles safely traveled so far and asking for a bit more assistance I hoped on my 95 Aspencade and took off once more into the snow. After about 15 miles the snow stopped, and within 10 more miles the weather was back to a balmy 42 degrees . . . but there is a permanent crease in my seat (I have a Corbin ordered to replace it) and it will be months before I can see a 'ice forms on bridges' sign without shivering again.

The Wing handles surprisingly well on snow - I only felt her slip at all one time, when I was stopping on the overpass for my 'safety-check' while behind me according to radio 3 cars had wound up in the ditch. Even so, I don't think I'll go north in February again on my Wing. March? SURE . . . just let me trike my bike first . . . (G)

CLOSE CALL

It was wonderful being off the Friday May 4 2000 because it allowed me to play on several nice roads off and around hwy 281 while going down to the WOTI "Alamo Run" a BBQ gathering of fellow Gold Wingers from the http://www.woti.org group. It was this trip that I discovered 580 over to San Saba, hwy 16 south of there and some other great "side trips" before threatening rain made me decide to miss the Friday outing at pappy's and hole up somewhere.

Saturday early I showed up and (ignoring the edict to stay outside) went in and woke everyone up and proceeded to bug Pappy until he actually let me help. A few hours later there wasn't much more to do so I went out front to tell everyone when the food was likely to be ready and meet some of my old friends. Mario was down, and I had a great time chatting with him, and Mike and his wife were there ... heck I guess I'd better not even get started on names or I'll be here all day. Suffice to say I had a great time. I even managed to keep my eating under control this time: one SMALL piece of brisket and a sausage with some potato salad and I was done. Hardest thing I've ever done (G) that Pappy can COOK!

I was needing to get back to Dallas Sat. night since my wife and I had plans together on Sunday so I decided (big mistake) to back up I-35 "to save time" - this never works. First I ran into traffic slowdowns due to flooding, then due to accidents, THEN I almost had an accident of my own in Temple TX.

I had pulled into the "passing" lane since the cars in the center lane were doing 45 mph (due to visibility I assume) and had just slowed to 60 from 65 because I was feeling the front end become a little "heavy" - a sure sign of imminent hydroplaning. As I slowed I noted this late model Japanese car on the service road speeding up VERY fast and quick calculations showed he'd enter the highway about even with me two lanes over.

I made the SIPDE (See Identify Plan Decide Execute) MSF assumption that anyone accelerating like that in the rain would come all the way over (and possibly not see me) so I covered my levers and slowed a bit more, also tapping my rear brake to make the car behind me drop back a bit. It's a good thing I did, because the car did indeed pull across all three lanes and as he pulled in front of ME (less than 2 car lengths) he lost his rear end and crashed into the retaining wall.

Having practiced covering my levers and emergency braking to the tune of an extra set of tires and brake pads over the past few years I didn't even have to think. I angled slightly towards the yellow line, straightened the bike and began to brake as hard as the wet streets would allow, knowing it could not be enough. Sparing a quick glance at the mirror told me the car behind me would hit us both also so I picked a spot to begin my swerve and then focused far ahead and away from the car bouncing back towards me and pressed with my right hand while re-engaging the clutch and rolling on the throttle slightly. Once the bike began to lean I looked over my right shoulder to see if I was going to be able to get completely into the center lane and saw that I could so I pressed harder as the bike continued to lean. I didn't see how it would be possible for me to avoid being hit by the car, last seen bouncing out into traffic from the wall. I kept expecting to feel an impact on my left-hand side at any moment but kept my focus forward where I wanted to go. Out of the corner of my eye I saw clear space and glanced in my left rear view to see the car still spinning about 15 feet behind me. It appeared as though the car that had been following me hit it a glancing blow as it attempted to follow my path around it but I wasn't positive as I immediately looked forward to ensure I was tracking true and that I wasn't about to go down from my swerve correction.

I was all alone, and traffic had stopped behind the accident now blocking two lanes so I continued on expected to become shaky or frightened. I never did. It wasn't until several moments later that I reflected on how fast I must have reacted and how lucky I had been. The rest of the way home I kept focusing on the distance and counting off how long it was at 60 mph before I'd reach that spot: 1.5 seconds. Forty feet in HEAVY rain on flooded streets. Somehow I'd seen the rear break free, changed my angle, braked, checked my mirror as I quit braking, began a swerve and then managed to swerve back again without breaking the tires free all in FORTY feet in @ 1.5 seconds. I'm sure those watching from behind will remember this (as will I) for the rest of their lives. God had his hand on me, and fortunately I had a GoldWing under me. A lesser lighter bike would not have been able to do this in the rain ...

At any rate I thought I'd share. Lessons learned:

SIPDE does work. Especially if you're paranoid.

Training your mind (thinking what you'll do ahead of time) works. People do stupid things, and no matter how good a rider you are there are some things you cannot control like idiots merging across three lanes at 70 MPH in a heavy rain storm. Going through something like this makes your WHOLE BODY sore and tired. Riding on I-35 is stupid, especially in the rain.

And the #1 lesson for which I will be eternally grateful: PRACTICE IS NEVER WASTED. Flatten your tires, wear out your pads, risk dropping your bike in a parking lot by locking the front wheel - the one time you NEED that knowledge you'll not regret the energy and $$ it cost you to become experienced at those skills.