NGWClub®, Inc.

Y'all might remember this thread from last summer...
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=65786

As is typical for me, there's a bit of a backstory as to the 'how and why' I (or more appropriately, we) came into possession of this bike. I have posted a few times in the past about my stepson, who's had some significant troubles in his life. In an effort to help him get his life on track, we let him move back in with us in the fall of '17. At that time, he had some legal issues hanging over his head, and his mother and I figured a relatively stable place to live (with fairly strict rules) would help him stay out of trouble and get back on his feet. In the back of my mind, I also thought a 'project' might help him focus on the future, and break his cycles of binging on alcohol and other vices.
To that end, I started half heartedly perusing Craigslist in search of an early Wing that first, didn't need a ton of work, and second, wouldn't break our meager budget. I say 'half heartedly' because I needed to stay under $1000 total, and have a bike that was close to being rideable from the very get - go.

After several months of on and off searching, watching bikes come and go, and trying to not dig myself into another time/money/energy pit, I happened across an ad that at first seemed like a scam. The title was something like "1976 GoldWing, perfect father - son project." The description was fairly generic, i.e. low miles, bought as a project, ran when parked, etc., and, of course, no photos. The asking price was... "Tell me why you deserve this bike..." A total scam, right?
I should mention that up until this point, I hadn't even discussed looking for a bike for Josh with either him or his mother, and here I was contemplating telling his travails to a total stranger, who might not even be legit? I also thought a lot about whether I/he/we actually 'deserved' to get an almost free, almost running, '76 GoldWing.
I kicked it around for a few hours, then carefully wrote an email in response, as much to find out if it was truly a scam as anything else.

Three days passed, and I figured it was all a scam. I had discussed it with Josh, stressing that it might be a scam and not to get his hopes up. We did talk about the possibility of finding a 'real' Wing project for him, and he was skeptical but willing to put in the effort.
Day four arrived, and up popped an email through Craigslist! The seller 'liked our story' but wanted to hear more. He had received four or five 'legitimate' responses, as well as numerous inquiries that he 'deemed inappropriate.'
I think we swapped almost twenty emails over the course of the next the weeks. I struggled with whether or not we were truly 'deserving,' but Josh's demeanor had improved significantly. I decided that the decision wasn't mine to make, and left it at that.

Josh and I picked up the bike on Memorial Day...

A great story. encouraging to hear a story with someone who is going thru similar things that I am. No light at the end of my tunnel. but I'm encouraged that there is at yours. Hang in there..... and good luck. God bless

Okay, probably the last part of the 'long story'...
Josh and I had no idea what to expect as we drove the 100 plus miles to pick up the bike. We didn't even know what color it was. The seller didn't reveal much about the condition of the bike other than the low miles and that he had been riding it sporadically until he had a little crash. I didn't press for more info or pics; I didn't want to jinx it! I will say he's a great guy, and true to his word! If you ever run across this thread, Mac, a HUGE thank you! I hope you feel you made the right choice!

All right, on with the wrenchin'!

Fire in the hole!
We borrowed the battery from 'Grumpy' and got her to run for a few minutes, but only by playing with the throttle a lot. Pulled the air cleaner, and fuel was welling up pretty good through the plenum halves, so it was readily apparent the carbs would need to be gone through. I had figured that would be the case, but it was a real disappointment for Josh. I know he wanted to just get on and ride, but that was the whole idea, right? That's why it's a project...

CYBORG wrote:A great story. encouraging to hear a story with someone who is going thru similar things that I am. No light at the end of my tunnel. but I'm encouraged that there is at yours. Hang in there..... and good luck. God bless

Thank you. It's a long road, and there have been some pretty big bumps (right now, Josh's past had caught up with him, and he'll be 'sitting' for several months), but overall it is encouraging...

I understand. Stay strong

Josh is bipolar, and has very little patience. He also needs direction, feedback, and reminders that this is 'our' project, and "gitrdun" is NOT the operative phrase here. While we were waiting on the carb kit, he got to learn how to change the belts and fluids as well as check out the typical early Wing problem areas...
He did a pretty decent job on the wiring!

Bypassing the RLU...
... and getting rid of the blob of melted plastic that was the stator connector.

Great story and that bike seems to be in really great shape and nice starting point for a project.

CYBORG wrote:A great story. encouraging to hear a story with someone who is going thru similar things that I am. No light at the end of my tunnel. but I'm encouraged that there is at yours. Hang in there..... and good luck. God bless

Good luck to you too! You're in our thoughts.

Rca12 wrote:

CYBORG wrote:A great story. encouraging to hear a story with someone who is going thru similar things that I am. No light at the end of my tunnel. but I'm encouraged that there is at yours. Hang in there..... and good luck. God bless

Good luck to you too! You're in our thoughts.

Thanks... means a lot

Sugs wrote:Great story and that bike seems to be in really great shape and nice starting point for a project.

Thanks, and yes, it is in very good shape. Which reminds me, I didn't really post a list of my first inspection, so here it is, as we picked it up...

Mechanical / rideability, good and bad:
14,677 miles on the clock.
Needed tires. Front was from 2008, rear, 2009.
Brakes function properly, rotors and pads show little wear, and brake fluid looked quite fresh.
The battery was from 2014 and had been sitting unused. It showed about 11 volts, but wouldn't hold a charge.
Had an older Dyna ignition with stock coils, plug wires, and caps.
The main fuse wiring was in poor condition, and the stator plug was toast.
The main wiring harness looks to be unmolested and in good shape.
Fork seals and rear shocks look to be in good shape, and function properly.
The neutral light stays on most of the time.
The bike won't crank unless the clutch lever is pulled in.
The headlight stays on even when cranking.
The carbs leak at the plenum seam.
The shifter shaft seal leaks a bit.
Fuel tank was professionally spit, media blasted, and sealed. Nearly spotless as far as old gas residue.
When we changed the fluids, they were like new, but we changed them anyway.
While the coolant was drained, we popped the water pump cover to find... a new matter pump!

Cosmetics:
Aside from the typical dust and road grime, everything looks good. No significant frame rust or evident damage.
The chrome (including the original grab bar YAY!) shows only some minor pitting.
The original paint is quite faded, mostly on the top and one side.
The right front directional is slightly bent, there's a good scuff on the engine guard, and a couple of good gouges in the faux tank side cover from Mac's (the p.o.) little detour into a ditch.
The rims and spokes need a good polishing.
The original seat cover has a split.

When we picked up the bike, Mac also sent along some 'extras' that he had collected, along with a set of Vetter bags. These included a replacement seat cover, new emgo ignition switch, an LED headlight, and a complete set of extra body panels, among other stuff. After we discovered the overall condition of the bike, I read across several receipts tucked into one of the side bags. Mac had spent over $2500 getting and keeping the bike on the road since he bought it!

Looks like new!