I Traded My Son's Used Laptop For A Whizzer

I Traded My Son's Used Laptop For A Whizzer.

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This is the 2006 bike I traded my son's 2 1/2 year-old Toshiba laptop for:

whizzer bike

Seller bought it new for $1800, paid $400 more for shipping.


This deal fell onto my lap with an interesting story dating back to 2006. I saw an ad for a near-new Whizzer bike selling locally for $1800. A year later, same bike selling for $1300. Called the buyer, couldn't get together, forgot about it. Two months ago, same bike selling for $900. Called, couldn't get together and a week later it's on craigslist for $1K.

Earlier this month owner offers on craigslist to trade for a used laptop, simultaneously listing it on ebay, starting at $450. No bidders..

Now comes the weird part. We meet at the University of Hawaii campus where I presume this 46 yo man used to attend school. For lack of a safer place to store the Whizzer, he chains, covers and leaves this prize on the students' bike rack behind the Science Building!

This must've turned the few prospective buyers away, but I'm a diehard.

Now the guy attends HCC(my school and my son's school) 5 miles away but regularly visits the U of H library, close to where the bike is kept.

Seller does not have a car or a phone("Cellphone got stolen in the library.") and he arrives on the city bus.

I like the bike, he likes the laptop(Son gets a new computer IF he wants one.). I check out the bike's registration; it's expired so I need to pay $137.

I google the seller's name. It says he's a real estate salesman, but he sure doesn't dress or act like one. His driver's license and ownership/registration papers check out.

Owner shows me how to kickstart. I ask him TWICE not to start the engine, 'cause I'm flushing the tank and adding fresh gas. Owner shows me the "clutch lever" to control the centrifugal clutch. "Without squeezing this clutch, the bike won't move".

"Ohh, you mean this compression release lever?" I asked.

Bike starts easily but moments later spurts gas from the carb's crumbling fuel line.

Guy's in a rush to make the transaction, feels it's unecessary to sign the bill of sale my son is preparing. After a handshake he's gone, leaving the old tarps and plastic he'd covered the Whizzer as trash for the caretakers. (son threw it into the dumpster nearby.)

It took us 90 minutes to wrestle the heavy bike onto my new rack, after removing its fuel tank and loosening the wiring harness. Thankfully it weighs less than my other bike "The Iron Dragon", and not the 130 pounds listed on the registration papers.

What an unpleasant transaction. If it wasn't such a sweet deal for me, I would not want to have anything to do with that seller person.

So now the bike I call "The Whizzard" rests inside my apartment. I replaced all the fuel lines and will do more research before starting it.

My wife and neighbor declare that it's a beautiful bike, and I agree. It needs cleaning, the sheave and chrome pipe is pitting

I never really intended to buy a Whizzer bike. I truly believe this one was looking for me.
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Honey, it's just a bicycle. and i REALLY need it to excercise, and to ride it to work.(hehe)

looks like a very nice bike 5-7.
very interesting story, sound like u 2 were made for each other.
Hope u can diognose the problem quickly and be on the road.
Congratulations.

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5-7HEAVEN,

Considering the used laptop may have been worth $200.00 you made out real well in that deal.

I know what ya mean about squirelly sellers...I've been there, done that, myself. But hey who cares, as long as the paper work was in order, you'll never see him again anyway. You got a steal on a Whizzer. I would have been right on top of that myself.

Jim

Sounds like you got one heck of a deal! I just bought a new laptop for my wife yesterday @ Fry's and I paid $550 out the door and it came with a 3 year warranty. I can't wait to see the pictures of your new bike!

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Link to the Pipelyne tuned pipes
http://motorbicycling.com/f23/new-sc...-sale-189.html

brisbane, the bike had been sitting for months in the open. I brought fresh gas, extra fuel container to hold the old petrol, siphon hose and tire pump with me. The bike started easily and the deal was made.

When I reached home I rode the bike in the parking lot with engine off and compression release lever on. All mechanicals seemed okay. Then I replaced the fuel lines.

I'll replace the battery today, as the lights are weak and the horn barely squeaks.

The oil level seems okay, but how do I change the oil?

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. It seemed like an excellent deal with very little mechanical repairs needed. I guess the original owner and the other prospective buyers wanted something they could just hop on and drive away.

Awesome!! Sounds Like a great deal and I have to agree that you two were meant to be together.

I just can't imagine this bike abandoned for months in a college campus open parking lot.(And the owner doesn't attend this college.)

I keep staring at the bike and the bike stares back with its headlight and chrome clutch cover.

The throttle cable's outer sheath was bent almost 90 degrees, so I lube then repair the cable with a coil spring and fuel hose until I can order a new one.

I say "thanks"...

"The Whizzard" says "no...thank YOU!"

Time for a wash and wax.

I think it's love.

This is why I check craigslist every day.
Man you made good.

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You have found the fountain of youth. Ride and forever stay young.

Some thing, some force brought you to the bike.
Someday I'll tell the mysterious way my Whizzer drew me in, not cheap is her love.

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The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.

You got that right. It was a very unusual transaction. Seller had no phone or computer. He called me from a payphone once, then we communicated once every other day by email for two weeks. I missed our first appointment, but he emailed me back.

Son just returned home three weeks ago from L.A., bringing his car, clothes, dog...and laptop. I also wouldn't have been able to load up the bike without him.

Let's hear your story, Weedy.