SilverWing Tales

Part 2 - I Owe My Good Fortune to a Harley Owner

By: Chuck Gardner




I love the Washington Post. Thanks to the Post classifieds I've found three great jobs and two excellent motorcycles. In 1982, after responding to an ad in the Post, I went to work for the U.S. Information Agency as an overseas printing specialist. The USIA offices were then located at 1776 Pennsylvania Ave. a block away from the White House. I didn't have a bike at that time, having recently sold my BMW R60/2 and R50/2, but when I discovered how much it cost to park a car and noticed that metered motorcycle parking slots across the streets -- you could park all day for five quarters -- I resolved to find a new bike.

I knew I would be going overseas in a year and didn't want to sink a great deal on money to a bike, so that pretty much precluded getting another Beemer. I was looking for something large enough to have a frame mounted fairing and some luggage space. Scanning the Post classified I spotted, "1981 Honda Silverwing Interstate". I called, and then went over to Virginia to take a look.

The showroom new burgundy SilverWing Interstate was parked in the driveway next to an equally new and pristine Harley. The young owner related how the Harley was a special commemorative model, which he had unsuccessfully tried to find before purchasing the SilverWing for $3,600. He finally found his prized Harley, and bought it on sight least it slip away. He now had a severe case of the shorts, trying to make payments on two bikes. After negotiating a bit we settled on a price of $2,500 and I was the proud owner of a nine-month old SilverWing Interstate with about 3,000 miles on the clock.

The Redskins went to the Superbowl that year, so that slick looking burgundy bike with gold accents drew many appreciative comments and wistful stares from my fellow caged commuters.

To be continued: Rock Creek Park