Why do I even bother....

[CrazyCatman]

I am really tired of calling my insurance company: after moving from my childhood area to my girlfriend's apartment I have so far had to call the insurance three times - in six months!

First time was two weeks after getting my car (my dad's well maintained 2004 Toyota Yaris): the front fender was literally missing, the buffer broken and scattered on the ground, liquid was leaking (window wash luckily) and the wheel shields were sagging or laying on the ground.
Luckily it got fixed - and in the beginning of this month it was rear ended during parking; nothing too serious but the wheel well was gaping so I wanted it fixed (I also see that the front have been scrapped - but that's just cosmetic).

Now this morning I wanted to take the bike to work; I had just serviced her with some gunk-off magic liquid, fresh oil and K&N oil filter Sunday - and I hoped that the bike would then start although it wasn't too warm in the air... I forgot my iPod Shuffle clipped on the vinyl cover, but it was there ready to play some rock music for the road to work. There was just one small problem

WHY?! Just why?

[CrazyCatman]

No problem with the insurance; they will take the case - but the issue is that I can't find a workshop now to fix it: Vintage bike workshops don't have the room and can't get the parts - and the big, local Honda dealer told me that they can see that they can't get the parts from Honda so they don't think that they can do the job - but I am welcome to take it to them and let them go over it... A little bit useless to be honest as I can't ride it as it is, and I can't have it transported on a flatbed more than once (at least not within the insurance) - so now it seems that I need to cancel the insurance work and just buy a new Barracuda ignition switch from Wingchrome who also tell that the OEM switch were obsoleted around 2006. Buying the switch and installing it myself will be below my part of the insurance anyway so there is no need to involve them anymore.

Still not sure why someone remove the inside of the switch - and never coming back to pick it the now unlocked bike...

Anyway I am ordering a new replacement switch Friday, loading the bike on my moving truck Satuday to drive it to my new apartment where I hopefully can have my bike and cars in peace without any more hit-and-runs or attempts of thefts...

[julimike54]

Bummer..............

[WingAdmin]

WHY?! Just why?

The "why"...is that they were trying to steal the bike by punching the ignition.

[Shadowjack]

...and then found they didn't bring a tool to turn the switch.

[CrazyCatman]

I moved this weekend; hopefully she will be more in peace at the new place.
Now I just don't know if I should get a second hand original ignition switch - however I am not sure that an '85 Limited Edition ignition switch will fit the '84 Aspecade, as the OEM replica by Saber Cycle/Barracuda claims to be "for all years of GL1200 except 1984 Standard, 1985 Limited and 1986 SEI" - I am not sure if this is for the OEM replica - or also for the OEM...? Anyone who knows the difference?

[CrazyCatman]

Got the aftermarket ignition switch but it sure isn't fun to work on a Goldwing Too many things to remove. I managed to get one of the bolts of without too much dismantling (the right bolt) - and even just using the 10 mm ring spanner from the tool kit. The left bolt wasn't as easy to get into.

I read about someone in the forum going in from below using a socket wrench and extender(s) - going to try that. Next step will be too try getting the lower fairing off if the socket and extender won't do the trick. I really don't feel like going all in with removing the top fairing unless I really really have to (although that does give me a good excuse to go through a thorough cleaning!).

Hopefully I get some time tomorrow evening to do some work, so I can get some air in the rear wheel to drive it to a workshop and have the tire replaced (that I don't feel like doing myself at all)