| Author | Message | ||
     Buelltours |
I am posting this for the original owner who bought the bike new in 1991. It is California Kit #12, currently located in Southern Oregon. It has 5289 miles and is in near perfect original condition. Covered all its life. There is a small scratch on the tank and the windscreen has a crack. The owner isn't sure whether he wants to part with it, so please only VERY seriously interested folks.   (Message edited by buelltours on April 24, 2014) | ||
| Buellboy68 |
PM Sent | ||
| Court |
Love looking at that . . . . identical to the bike I rode for MANY miles during the early 90's. What a gorgeous example. | ||
| Buellboy68 |
Buelltours: Might I get an email address to make contact that way as the PM thing may not be working... Alex N | ||
| Buelltours |
Buellboy, I forwarded your inquiry to the owner. I will send a reminder to get in touch with you. | ||
| Buellboy68 |
Buelltours: Awesome, thanks so much... Regards, Alex N | ||
| Basti |
Buellboy May I ask you where you from originally ? Alex Neumann doesnt sound so Japanese ? Thanks Basti from Germany | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Do you know the owner personally and have you seen that bike personally? I have. A year or two ago, I drove 700+ miles (one way) with cash and a trailer and did not buy that bike. "Near perfect, original condition" is a lonnnnggg way from what I saw. I want those two days of my life back. | ||
| Buelltours |
No, I haven't seen the bike in person, nor do I know the owner. Just being an enthusiast taking the word of another enthusiast... What did you see? The pics look pretty good to me... | ||
| Buellboy68 |
Basti: I was born in Germany, currently serving in Okinawa with the USAF. Retiring after 24 years to southern OR (June), which is where I'll check the bike out for myself since I'll be close... | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Yeah, the pics are vague and the owner is very proud of his baby. He and his wife were insanely nice people but, that bike is in sorry condition. He sent medium size photos and claimed to not know how to resize or take close-ups (which may very well be true). I sent him a link to the pictures of my white Westwind on here, with a dozen detail photos. He very assuredly told me that it would make a handsome mate to my current one--at least as nice, if not better. What I found was a bike where every single fastener is rusted--badly enough to need restoration. No steel wool is going to clean that up. They all need to be acid dipped, possibly mechanically cleaned, then replated. The corrosion on the engine cases matches. The shock looks like somebody tried to clean it with a red Scotchbrite. The chrome is all sanded and screwed up. Then there's the paint. That "one scratch" is from a dirtbike tipping over into it. The scratch is maybe 1/8" wide and probably down to the gelcoat. It's "barely noticeable" because he took some poorly matched red paint and just filled it in with a brush. So you have this wide gash, right on top of the bike, with the wrong red covering it up. The rest of the paint ain't so hot either. If somebody was going to fix that scratch, they'd be better off just repainting the whole bike. There was more but, I can't remember it right now. There was no glaring, single thing wrong but, basically every inch of it needed restoration of the finish. I made excuses about the paint not being the metallic candy that I really wanted and I left. If I remember, he wanted in the high $6K to low $7K region. He was so insanely proud of it that any kind of fair offer would have just insulted the man. I turned and walked away. Meandering my way back out to I-5, I pulled over twice, trying to convince myself to go back and make him a $3500 offer. I decided that even if he said yes at that price and didn't shoot at me as I backed down his driveway, it needed more work than I was willing to do. I had no idea where I'd get another shock like that or how to restore it. The biggest thing going through my head, for the next 5-6 hours on the road, was just how the hell does somebody buy a bike that special, then treat it like that? I had to drive back to central Oregon a month later. The whole time leading up to that second trip, I kept TRYING to talk myself into making an offer on the return leg. I couldn't do it. Now: if I didn't already have a nice Westwind, I might be a whole lot more sympathetic. I just don't want anybody believing that description, paying big-bucks, shipping it from thousands of miles away, then seeing that thing when the delivery truck door opens. | ||
| Malott442 |
In that case, I offer 3600 shipped for it | ||
| Greg_cifu |
That guy would have been insulted with a $5,500 offer. It was one of those deals where he presented it with his chest puffed out, like a proud dad. He had owned it so long that he still saw the new bike he bought all those years ago. My '93 ZX11 is in FAR, FAR better shape, with 36K miles. It honestly has no scratches. It has no rust. That was part of what boggled my mind about the condition of the Westwind--I haven't paid any particular attention to the Kawasaki over the years and its condition is night & day compared to that RS. | ||
| Bernard |
Westwinds are hard to come by, but of course the price has to match the condition. I remember that there was a red RSS on eBay a few months ago that looked like it was built yesterday, albeit with S2 fork. The owner was looking for around $10K and I don't think he got it. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
He got it, or close to it. I absolutely agree: Westwinds are rare. Since mine is one of the California kit bikes, that would have meant that I would have owned two of the thirteen. I took off two days of work to go get it. I wanted that bike. It didn't happen. I just searched through all my old emails. Man, this wound is fresh again! I forgot that I sent him (and agreed to) a non-refundable $100 deposit to hold the bike until I could get there. Yes, he kept it. No, I didn't ask. Yes, it was worth $100 to me to not get stuck with it at the price he wanted. I later described the engine cases to a friend as being so badly corroded that it was past grey and moving toward powdery white corrosion in some places (it was bad). The fork seals were leaking. The front fender has a deep scratch, just like the tank. The mismatched touch-up paint was actually red fingernail polish (!?!). I also agree that the price needs to match condition. The tone of the original post sounded exactly like the guy I was dealing with (not blaming BuellTours...I'm saying it sounds like he's talked to the same guy). He talked and acted like it was some museum piece and he was fishing for offers. Hearing him talk about the condition as I'm standing there looking at it, I could tell we were in two different universes as to what condition constitutes "mint" or "nice." So to anybody negotiating on that bike: it IS absolutely restorable and it ran when I was there. I didn't get down to hardcore inspection because the more I looked, the less I wanted it. It's absolutely saveable and it's all there. Just be aware that you're in for some work with the cosmetics. | ||
| 91westwind |
That is a harsh review there Greg. You seem like an angry person and your description of the condition of my bike is extremely exaggerated. I am the Original Owner! I am willing to send as many photos of any size to anyone interested. The bike has been garaged and covered its entire life and the only rust is on an exhaust hanger bracket. Not EVERY fastener as you describe.This bike which I have no emotional attachment to as you describe is over 23 years old and FYI Greg is not NEW! I informed you it has a 2"(measured it) scratch on the tank, a small 1" scratch on the front fender, and a front left fork seal leak. Restoration Needed? What needs to be restored is the way you think Greg! You are a perfectionist and this bike is not for you! It does not need a restoration! It needs to be ridden and most would say on a 1 to 10 scale it is an 8. Someone will have a beautiful and rare 91 RS1200 Westwind I am open to offers. Get A Life Greg ! | ||
| Harleyms |
lol zombie thread resurrection...man a phrase comes to mind...something about letting sleeping dogs lie. | ||
| Bernard |
An asking price would be good. Southern Oregon is not too far away from Southern California, but I don't like cat-and-mouse games. State what it would take to buy that bike and I'll tell you if I'm a buyer for it or not. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
You're forgetting the most important, critical detail of all: I took two days off work, drove 750 miles one-way and had every dime of the money you asked in my pocket when I arrived at your house. I had 100% intention of buying that bike. It was so bad, I turned around and drove home, empty handed. That trip cost me nearly $1,000 in expenses and lost time at work. I'm still happier without it. Any sane, reasonable, rational person would ask themselves why you still have it for sale and I didn't buy it. From that, they would determine which one of us is full of crap. | ||
| Malott442 |
I'm with Bernard. An asking price would be nice for the folks here. I myself have just committed to another 91. Can't wait! | ||
| 91westwind |
I still have it because the only ad I ever placed it in was a year ago on the local Craigslist in Oregon. The only thing Greg said that was sane, rational and reasonable was it should be advertised on Ebay or somewhere that got national exposure. Then I found Buell Tours in March of this year and Cornel offered to post an ad on this forum. That being said, I would like $7k for the bike and will gladly send pictures to show that there is no "rust" on the fasteners and all the other BS flaw claims that the perfectionist states the bike has. And Greg you need more than 2 days off of work and a 1500 drive to sort out your problems with how you "try" to think. Next time put your big boy pants on and tell people what is on your mind! My chest is not all puffed out gushing over "my baby". Its a motorbike. It has value. I was very patient with your two hour rolling on the floor inspection, wondering what you were thinking as you were very quiet. Then to blurt out it just wasn't the right color and leave? Strange to say the least! | ||
| Malott442 |
Sounds to me like we need a sharp eyed inspector to settle this by looking the bike over. Better yet, move the bickering , name calling, and/or insults to a private venue. This is not the right place to "duke it out". | ||
| Greg_cifu |
The only reason I'm going to continue arguing with you is that I want the next guy to clearly see who they're dealing with before they buy that bike with anything less than an in-person inspection. Thank you for continuing. Two hours rolling around on the ground? My total visit was less than 30 minutes. I only spent that much time because I had just driven 11 hours to get there and wanted to make damn sure I wasn't being hasty about my initial decision to go home empty. The decision was made within 20 seconds of walking up to the bike. That's how bad it was. The rest of the time, I was desperately trying to convince myself to buy it. I honestly said to myself, "You drove all day, at least spend a few minutes looking it over." It was at least interesting getting to compare all the differences with my current one, seeing as they are both California kit bikes, made the same year. And things were far from quiet, or would you like me to share all the details I remember from our conversation? Heck, I can post the email I sent to a friend about the bike and the visit right after arriving home. I still have it--5/18/2012 (TWO years ago, not one). I just reread what my thoughts were right after arriving home. Nothing inconsistent from what I've posted here. Instead of ranting, why don't you post a bunch of detailed pictures of your bike? Clear ones? Not 69K, resized ones? How about a nice, closeup of the side of the engine and that shock--out in sunlight, so people can see what has been done to it? Here's what mine looks like. This is just one of many pictures you saw of my bike before I drove up there. I still have all the emails exchanged with you. Would you like me to post the one where you said yours was every bit as nice as this?  Or how you had a high-end Canon camera but, couldn't figure out how to send the pictures without your computer resizing them to where scratches and rust weren't visible? I still have all the emails and "resized" photos you sent. They look amazing. Man, if yours looked like those small photos promised, I would have bought it. Hey Bernard, it's not a goner by any stretch of the imagination. Go look at it. Don't trust pictures and wait for a truck to arrive at your house. If you can strike a deal, the bike is absolutely saveable. Just know what you're really buying before you've bought it. | ||
| 91westwind |
As I stated it is not a 10 bike of the likes of "The Perfectionist" but it is far from being in "bad" shape and having "rust" on all the fasteners. Here are some pictures including the scratch    (Message edited by 91westwind on June 26, 2014) | ||
| Blackm2 |
As with most disagreements, the truth lies somewhere in between. On a side note, That custom label on the rear brake reservoir on Greg's bike is pretty trick. | ||
| 91westwind |
I apologize to the forum for my attacking Greg. He is entitled to his opinion. Opinions however are not always facts. I was unaware until yesterday that I was being slammed in such a harsh and distorted way. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. We live in a great country "AMERICA" and it is awesome that we can have the freedom to say and do as we please. Greg's posts just sounded like I was being vague and deceptive which I was not. I will send anyone, as many pictures as they wish and answer all questions in detail, till the cows come home. Thank you Greg for driving 1500 miles and sorry for your anguish. I hope you find what you are looking for, I really do. | ||
| Joel |
It looks acceptable to me. Museum pieces are useless if you want to ride. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
It was there when I bought the bike with 3,600 miles. I wasn't touching it until I was absolutely positive it wasn't put on at the factory to ensure proper dealer prep or something. It's gone now. As for the recently posted pictures, take a good look at the finish on that shock. You can plainly see the corrosion. The bike has certainly had a good washing since I saw it, though I still see the scaly corrosion on things like the side-plate fasteners. An attempt was made to clean things up but, there is still evidence to the points I made. I'll post it again: I drove for two days, wanting to buy that bike and had agreed upon a price. My opinion is not one of just somebody who just appraised it as a disinterested party. I WANTED it and passed. Or did anybody forget that I willingly paid $3500 for this?  | ||
| 91westwind |
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― George Carlin | ||
| Malott442 |
Court, I see you as the last post here, but where did the post go?  . The older I get, the more I stop myself. An ancient saying follows the lines of: Let all that you say pass through three gates. The first is 'is it true'. The second- 'is it kind'. Finally -'is it necessary '.... I'm no saint, but I have come a long way from my Navy days haha! | ||
| Court |
I . . . having probably logged more RS miles than anyone here except Brankin . . .had a few comments about the bike. But it's evolved to more of an argument than an discussion. I can help if anyone is looking for a new RR1000 (actually I think it's got 6 miles on it) I am seriously considering parting with my S2. It's a shame to let a $10,000 motor just sit in a $5,000 bike and not have time to ride it. I'm preparing to move and have cast away years of memories . . .time to clean house a bit. | ||
| Court |
Responded to both inquiries . . . I'm going to be pretty out of pocket until 7/11. Will get info to everyone. | ||
| Malott442 |
Oh wow, I didn't expect that. I wish I didn't just commit to two tube frames, I'd be all over that infamous S2. Your 1000 now makes two of that I know of for sale. Makes me wish the lottery would hit, or something. I just can't get enough, looking at the battle twins. | ||
| Dutch_x1 |
Court Pm sent |
