New Owner New Member New Question

[shep]

Some background leading to the present!

First let me say Hi to everyone! My name is Neil Sheppard I'm down as "shep" but whatever works for u is fine! I'm glad to be in the group & to own a Radian again. I had a beautiful '89, 600 in 1994 for $2,000 it had Kerker pipes - a bit loud for me, since I was on vacation in Cape Cod, I think everyone else agreed! The bike was smooth as silk in perfect shape! I bought a new 94 Kawasaki Voyager 1200 before riding "it" back to New York City! I always missed the Radian though. Especially IN the city! I just bought another one; an '86 Radian 600, the owner who I placed my faith in, said it was perfect before I agreed to lay out $800 I didn;t see it until I took delivery last week! It was supposed to be $1050 total, and I am wrestling with paying him the last $250 until I know the real deal! The bike is far from perfect! I'll soon be writing an explanation as to why I think we should change the agreed to price! Any how I'll get into that and more down the road. Up to this point at least you now have some background getting us to this point!

Apart from at least one valve knocking, plus the carb needing at least a good cleaning, plus a leaking head gasket, and other odds and ends, I am still evaluating everything. But I still love Radians!

Today the horn and the indicatior lights died all together! They seemed to fade in & out prior to this. I thought I was imagining it! I checked the horn earlier & I think I touched both wires with a screw driver shorting out the fuse!

I assume, as my prior Honda's & Kaw etc ( & here's where someone can jump in - anyone!) That the fuse box is a panel oppostite from the oil reservoir, or under the seat? I'll find it on my own shortly meantime any outside input is appreciated~!

My real concern is that when she warms up I'm definitely hearing the tapping of a valve or 2 & apart from replacing the head gaskets which looks like a simple "no engine pull" job! The valve & the carb situation bothers me! I don't yet know the extent to which they'll need attention! If they're both minor jobs I got a good deal, if not I'd have to re-evaluate everything! I guess I'll probably have to go for a better maybe even newer bike if that's the case, although I love the feel and ride of a Radian being 5'8 its all perfect for me size wise! In fact I don;t even know anything new that would be as comfortable! If anyone does I'm all ears!

Oh Yes I'm also looking for a decent used or cheap helmet for my young son Isaiah who's 12. It must of course be regulation! He outgrew the youth sized - full face helmet! I'll keep that for my little grandson 18 months old, he'll soon need it! If anyone has decent one let me know!

Lastly I'd very much appreciate any thoughts or - an experienced Radian owner's best guess....on the issues I mentioned.....Do you think the valves are toast? or might I get away with an adjustment (Hey I'm allowed to dream!) and also a carb cleaning instead of a rebuild ---while I'm dreaming - I thought I'd throw that in!

Apart from that, I have a few other little things here and there that could use sprucing up. If the main things arent too serious I might even enjoy working on them a little in my own time bring this little bike back to that beautiful humming "top" that it could be!

One more quick parting thought if anyone has access online to a manual that I could consult with, it would be a help. Other than that I guess you'll probably see me dropping in from time to time!

I hope I have some good experiences to share. Who wants a new member coming back all bitchy & whiney every time he's on!

Oh I also might add, that I'd welcome any information, tips, or leads to service &- or parts at a good price whenever they are available., and in or near New York City!

Thanks again for letting me join your community and share! HOPE WE ALL GET TO MEET ONE DAY! MEANTIME HAPPY TRAILS!

Take Care

Neil Sheppard