It's dead... for real...

[rprata]

Well folks, it's dead.  Last week I wrote here that I did a carb cleaning, cleaned the air filter, fuel filter, etc.  I had the bike on eBay, as I had to leave California, and couldn't take it with me, too expensive to ship.  Buyer backed out, and it's probably a good thing.

Friday evening, I was on my way back to my apartment, so I could pack and catch a flight Saturday AM.

I had been on the freeway for about 5 miles, and the bike didn't sound right, so I made a mental note to get off at the next exit and check things out.  I never got that far.  What was a faint noise grew loud, fast, and the engine died.  Just died.  Pressing the starter yielded nothing whatsoever.  The engine must have seized.  

I left it on the side of the freeway, walked to a shopping center, and called a taxi to take me home, not really knowing what I was going to do with it, since I had a plane to catch the next afternoon.

I ended up selling it to a friend, who has the same year/make/model/color of bike (she's on this board, Linh), for parts.  

Her brother trailered the bike back to somewhere, and determined the motor had blown, and the engine case had cracked.  I don't know exactly how it happened, but the motor's toast, at 15,500 miles.

So, at least, for what she paid me, she's got a Corbin seat, good brake rotors, brake calipers, gauges, a fairly new (1500 miles) BT45 rear, and anything else that's salvagable (anything that's not the motor.)

So, that's the end of my saga.  I killed her  

I bought it less than a year ago, with 7,200 miles on it, and I put 8,300 miles on it myself, and had a lot of fun doing it.  Bike didn't look like much, because of the dents, scratches, and rash, but it was a good bike, and a ton of fun to ride.  I had hoped to restore it back to decent condition before I sold it, but time didn't allow for it.

I'll definitely try to buy myself another GS next year, when finances allow, because having owned one, I know I can't get a better little bike.  (Unless, of course, I get a GS500F  :mrgreen: )

So folks, take care of those engines.  Not sure where I err'd, but something caused the motor to blow.

So, next spring, I'll start looking for another GS, since I still have the Haynes manual, and feel a lot more confident working on it, after the work I did, with an experienced mechanic, last weekend.  BTW, the work I did last week was carb and fuel system work, didn't touch the engine at all.

Well, that's it, another one bites the dust....

Be well, all .. I'll still be hanging around here, bike or no bike....  can't get rid of me that easily....

-R

[JohNLA]

(taps playing in the backround)
I am sorry for your loss.
Any luck on the job search ?

[scratch]

My sympathies. Same thing happened to me on the little 250 that I used to have (14 yrs), blew a case gasket, lost oil and heard the valves start ticking, but it was too late. Now you can think about your next bike, and how nice it will be! It's good to have a dream that's obtainable.

[Pkaaso]

I weep openly for your loss.  

[JamesG]

That sucks dude, but at least bits of your bike will live on in your friends...