[Robert Coats]

Pretty sure all of us have been pranked...so share your best one (pranker or prankee).

For me, it was when I was working at Honda (lawn mower division) and caught the motorcycling bug kinda late in life (32). The motorcycle division would often sell-off slightly used press/photo/demo bikes to associates, and I manged to snag one. I was pumped when it was unloaded into our shop, but had to wait until after work to break it out of the crate. Did I mention it sat in our shop for a few hours? With a couple of guys back there eager to nail me in a prank?

Come 5 or so, I dashed backed to the shop and broke the crate loose; it was a stunning fire-engine red and looked clean and in top shape. Less than 100 miles on the clock. I rolled it onto the floor and lifted up on the centerstand, and started going over it carefully. Then I saw it. A yellow tag wired to the right side of the engine. I fished it out and written on the side were the words "Low compression on #4---M/C Engineering" I was heartbroken! How the f could a bike with such low miles have "low compression?" I stood back with my arms folded and shook my head. Then, I heard some gunts and giggles behind me, and turned around to see the two shop guys and one of our engineers all holding up yellow tags and they busted out in laughter. I had to smile myself; they knew I was a newbie to motorcycles, and couldn't resist a plumb chance like this.