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