The personal and professional website of Douglas Van Bossuyt
I sold my trusty 1979 Honda XL500S, The Gangly Giraffe, last week. I had amassed five bikes and wasn’t riding the XL500S very much so it was time that we part ways. The new owner appeared to be a guy who will really enjoy the bike. Here are the photos that Drew took for me to help sell the bike.
After having driven from Corvallis to Pullman, Washington following Drew in U-Haul with all of Drew’s possessions and Carl’s and my motorcycles the night before, we woke up early to hit the highway for Oregon. The first leg took us from Drew’s new apartment in Pullman, Washington, to Dayton, Washington where we stopped to get fuel. 2.158 gallons purchased. Average speed was around 60-65mph. 50.8 mpg. 109.7 Miles. Running with fully loaded saddle bags, tank bag, and gear tied onto passenger seat. Stayed on main highways.
From Dayton, Washington we went to just south of Walla Walla, Washington. Had been having troubles shifting out of first gear since the beginning of the morning. Added more oil to the engine in Dayton which helped temporarily. In Walla Walla, the bike would no longer go out of 1st. Tried adding more oil but it didn’t help. Bike was burning a LOT of oil. Turned out that I was running the wrong weight (50 instead of 10W40). Had to trailer bike to Richland and then U-Haul to Corvallis. See Maintenance Log for more. Air temp was hot (90+) for most of the ride starting at 6am.
Carl driving the U-Haul somewhere in Eastern Washington.
Unloading the U-Haul outside Drew’s apartment.
Our motorcycles parked out of the way waiting for the next morning.
The only thing in Drew’s fridge.
Drew and Amber.
The old highway dropping down into Lewiston and Clarkston.
Carl and I with our trusty steeds.
