Advice purchasing older motorcycle

Here`s the bike I bought if anybody is interested. Thanks to all that offered great advice, and for those that tried to sell me their bikes also, all good :)

I am thrilled with this one, certified and so far perfect. It`s a 1984 Honda Goldwing GL1200 Interstate

Thanks.



2012_0909mom30007.jpg2012_0909mom30015.jpg
 
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Argo,

I bought an 86 1200 Interstate a couple years ago. I changed all the fluids except for the coolant. I put on new rubber and had the fork seals replaced. So far I have put on almost 20,000 trouble free kilometers with one small exception.

There is a large white connector that comes from the alternator (look for it under the left hand side cover) this connector is prone to bad corrosion. When this happened on mine the battery quit charging. You can buy a replacement connector kit from honda but I just cut out the connection and soldered all three wires. No problems since.

The one item I hope to do this winter is replace the cam belt. You now know about cams (AKA the lumpy stick). They are both driven from the crankshaft via a toothed rubber belt. It works fine but the belt is 26 years old and it's better to be safe than sorry.

I only bought this bike to take long trips with my wife (all my previous and current bikes have been /are naked or sportbikes) but I'm suprised how much I enjoy it. Also I'm suprised how much it takes to actually scrape a peg on this thing. I had to ride Deals Gap three times before a peg touched down.
 
Edit: Didn't read page 2. OP already bought a bike, not that my opinion would have mattered anyway. ;)

Enjoy the bike!
 
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The drive shaft turns the rear wheel.
The Cam shaft turns an internal shaft with oblong lobes on it to open the valves.

What are valves?

They let the gas into or out of the engine after the gas is burnt.
 
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