Looking at 2000 IS, What issues should I be looking for?

[mrbmoran2]

Hi,
I've looked at and rode a 2001 IS with 62k miles, didn't pull the trigger on it. Owner said he'd only changed the oil. I was worried about final drive lube and other routine maintenance. This one was $5750

Now I'm looking at a 2000 IS with 46k miles, new tires, new forks seals, and the owner said he's done the routine stuff as well. This one is $5500. This would be a new to me bike. What common issues should I be looking for?

I'm also concerned about Hydrolock, I saw one today that I believe had been. Good thing I had read about it and kind of knew what to look for. It was a 1999 IS, owner said it was sitting for almost two years, he's moving and wanted to start it. He charged the battery, tried to start and POP. His description of events lead me to believe it was Hydrolocked, and he busted the starter gear or worse. He had posted for $3k. Before I went to look he was down to $2k. I didn't buy it because it was also rough and the unknown of the damage caused. The front tire also had a groove wore in it on the left side, looked as if the wheel bearing may have been bad.

Anyway, new to Valkyrie and this forum, any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[sandy]

Size up the seller. Is he knowledgeable and confident in how he reports maintenance? Or does he fumble for words? 46K is low mileage and you shouldn’t have any issues. Ask the seller about final drive servicing. Has he ever done it? The rest you can check yourself; oil; does it start easy on choke(fuel enrichment)? Does it idle smooth when warm. Rev it up and as you back  off, does it pop? These are easy fixes.

[Jess from VA]

An old list.  http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Known%20Valkyrie%20Problems.htm

Carburetors and smooth running is number one.  

The square cut trans gears whine, get used to it.

I prefer OE exhaust to Cobra 6x6, and I don't want OE exhaust that's been drilled or punched out (trimming off the three piggies (one inch tubes) behind the last baffles is OK).  

A guy who has kept a record of regular maintenance and can show it to you (or otherwise convince you of it) can bring good confidence.

Feel how badly the brake rotor edges are cupped. They all are.  

Look in the clutch and brake master cylinder sight glasses for clearer (not dark amber fluid).

Look for fork fluid leaks.

How old is the battery?  My bikes (choked), fire up instantly on a good battery.  When the battery begins to fail, it will begin to take two seconds to fire, instead of instantly.  Most sellers warm up a bike before you come over.... it's better for the buyer they don't.  

Did they ever change out the timing belts (and replace or rebuild the pulley tensioners)?  It's not necessary on lower mile bikes, but nice to know.  The manual only says to inspect belts at 100K, but 20 years old is also a concern.

Has the OE petcock ever been rebuilt?  Has the starter switch ever needed cleaned up?  These are two weak links.

Did they de-smog the bike (remove vacuum hose and pair valves and plug things up)?  It's not a performance upgrade, just a reliability upgrade.  

Did he ever install a quick disconnect kit on the fuel line?  More often than not, this leads to gravity feed fuel problems.

Is the shield clear enough or will it need replaced?

If he's added bling and aftermarket stuff (has he kept all the stuff he pulled off, and can you have it)?

Learn to read tire manufacture date stamps (week of year/year), old dried out tires need replaced.  

[Pluggy]

My British friends have a term, a "Bodger".  That's a person who can make a mechanical or electrical mess of a motorcycle while intending to do good work.  See any Vise Grip marks, electrical tape, parts that don't quite fit?   Those are signs of Bodger ownership.  You will read of "mods and upgrades".  These are beyond the ability of a Bodger.  Now, some Bodger damage can be hidden, only to catch up with you later.  So ask what has been done on a bike, and ask about the details.  I prefer a used bike without owner extras or modifications.  It greatly reduces the chances of Bodgering.