Tom Petty had it right....

Message

chri5917 · #1 Unread post by **chri5917** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:44 am

...Waiting IS the hardest part.

So, I've been lurking around this message board for a while (tried a few others and feel that this is the best one).

Sunday a friend called. Knowing that I was in the market for a bike he told me about one he'd seen for sale. Drove by and saw a 1983 Honda Ascott 500 (the twin cylinder model).

Talked to the owner, lookoed at the bike, rode very briefly down a little side street to make sure it ran (and boy, does it!)

Now the tough part. My safety class isn't until the end of June! I can get a learining permit to practice and I have easy access to a great place to get some slow practice, but part of the deal I made with my wife was that I can't ride it until finals are over. That's 2 weeks away! How the heck am I supposed to wait that long?
Does show good foresight on her end, though. She realized that if I was riding a motorcycle I wouldn't do a bit of studying for finals.

Did find a loop hole. She never said anything about CLEANING the motorcycle. Pulled it into the driveway yesterday and gave it a good scrubbing. 2 weeks from now, with boredome from studying kicking in, that bike will probably be the cleanest it's been since it rolled off the show room floor!

Thanks for all the help of everyone that posted on here and gave me great advice before I made my purchase!
Waiting to join the ranks!
Thanks again,

Kyle

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Tue May 03, 2005 6:12 pm

I love them Ascots... specially the twins. Cool bike. Enjoy the wait... go dance with MaryJane to pass the time.

Toyuzu · #3 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Tue May 03, 2005 6:18 pm

Congrats on the new wheels! Just think of the celebration ride you get when finals are over!

AdrianZ · #4 Unread post by **AdrianZ** » Wed May 04, 2005 7:25 am

It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin' I mean Ridin'
trees flew by, me and Del were singin' little Runaway
I was flyin'

Yeah runnin down a dream
that never would come to me
workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
runnin' down a dream

chri5917 · #5 Unread post by **chri5917** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:43 am

Great song. Gettin' ready to go! Insurance, check.
Registration and permit, Friday.

Had a 15 minute break to run home after 7 hours at work this morning, followed by class and 7 hours more work (the joys of having to pay a mortgage and tuition, right?)
Anyway, ran into the garage, popped the key in, put 'er in neutral, started her up and ran up the revs a little just to feel it.
Had to take off again, but boy, what a great break!

One question, for anyone that might know the answer.
Where would I go to find a manual for this bike?
Or, if someone else has a similair bike, I could start out with how much of what kind of oil do you use? She's in need of a change and I figure that's something I could do before I'm allowed to ride it.
Thanks again for the help.
Kyle

#6 Unread post by **cb360** » Wed May 04, 2005 9:25 am

Try this page:

http://100megsfree4.com/honda/h0500/ascot-ft.htm- if it isn't on there just browse around on http://100megsfree4.com/honda and I'll bet you'll find your manual. Good luck.

chri5917 · #7 Unread post by **chri5917** » Wed May 04, 2005 10:04 am

Edited to say "DARN IT!"

Wow, guess it pays to know more 'bout the subject before you buy.

Guess I don't got a V-twin.

Guy said it was 2 cylinder and I saw two exaust pipes comin' out the engine, so I believed him. Thought the V was turned sideways or somehing

. Guess this is why I posted in the "New Biker Forum".
Looked at the above web site and thought, "Hey, that's not my bike... It actually LOOKS like a v-twin.... oh..."
So, is a single sylinder still a good bike? Feel bummed out now. Don't know why for sure, but I got really excited about having a V-twin. Guess it's from reading a bit 'bout cruisers....
So, anyhow, sory for the misinformation. Thanks for the help. Can I have some more? How's the bike now?

Kyle

isnowbrd · #8 Unread post by **isnowbrd** » Wed May 04, 2005 2:44 pm

BuzZz wrote:go dance with MaryJane to pass the time.

Did you just tell him to...

Nah

TechTMW · #9 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Wed May 04, 2005 5:01 pm

chri5917 wrote: Guy said it was 2 cylinder and I saw two exaust pipes comin' out the engine, so I believed him. Thought the V was turned sideways or somehing . Guess this is why I posted in the "New Biker Forum"...
Kyle

I can't tell you how many times i've talked to people who own BMW cars and describe their vehicle as having a v-6. BMWs do not, have not, will not -ever- have a gasoline v-6. The company built itself on the smoothness of its inline 6s for goodness sake!

Don't worry about not having a v-twin. I know a thumper isn't as cool, but I think you'll actually be alot better off. You've only got one carb to deal with and one set of valves for example. Everything on a one cyl bike is very straightforward. Even a complete engine teardown is very easy. Remember, this ain't your last bike - use it to learn on, wrench on it a little bit when necessary, and you'll set yourself up to get an awesome bike the next time around

BuzZz · #10 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:25 pm

It's the same basic engine that the XR/XL-500's used for years.... reliable as anything with moving parts can be. A little less power than the twin, but still a strong lump for a bike of that weight.