I've Bought My Last Honda

[DIGGER]

I love my Valkyrie.  I plan to keep it the rest of my riding days.   If plans change and I do buy another new motorcycle I dont think its going to be a Honda. I bought my 2001 Valkyrie new (nearly new-it had 600 miles on it) at Wild West Honda in Houston, Texas.  I also bought a brand new Honda Rancher 4 wheeler at Wild West Honda in 2004.   I still own it.    10 yrs ago Wild West Honda told me they wouldnt do any kind of work on my Valkyrie anymore as it was over 10 yrs old.   This is the dealer that sold these products to me.    They wont fix what they sell.  

I moved my business to Honda of Houston to get my service work and repairs and parts.   Been a good relationship for last 10 or so yrs.    I bought 800 dollars of tires recently to go to the Spring Fling in Mississippi.   I called today and ordered a new air filter and asked how much to put in the air filter and to replace the vacumn lines.   They informed me new company policy they dont work on any bikes 15 yrs or older.   Going to ho there tomorrow and cancel my parts order and tell them I wont buy their parts anymore.  Im going to try College Station dealership tomorrow and see if they will work on it.

This sucks.   I only spend probably $2,000 a yr at the dealership.  Guess its not enough to get their attention.

[Chrisj CMA]

I’d install that air cleaner for a couple cold beers. Easy. But I get your point. I suggest expanding your search to s as non Honda dealer. Just a shop with a good mechanic

[Serk]

I've seen the same up here in the Dallas metromess and it's infuriating, but I ALMOST understand (I don't agree, but I understand) when the bikes are older than most of the wrench turners.....

I've lucked out and found a GREAT independent bike repair shop that has no problem working on anything you roll in on, even does dark side tires without batting an eye... I'd suggest looking around for an independent shop near you, try to feel 'em out as to their knowledge level with our Valks and if you find a good one, give 'em your business.....

(And just FYI, the unicorn I've found in the D/FW area is Metric Motorsports in Lewisville, TX - http://www.metricmotorsportsllc.com/ )

[Willow]

Dealers make their money selling vehicles.  They also service vehicles that they may have sold but if you keep a vehicle for ten or fifteen years you are not their primary target.  Also their service persons are not necessarily trained for older vehicles.

Independent shops make their money servicing vehicles.  Find one you trust and give him your business.

[Rams]

In that I only own Honda motorcycles, my question is this.   
Do other brands have the same or similar limitations on their older bikes?

Rams

[scooperhsd]

It has been my experiance that ANY dealer for new motorcycles has the same policy. COncur with the find a good independent shop who WILL work on older machines,

[da prez]

When I was working for an independent H D shop , we took in a lot of bikes . H D would only install tires that were bought from the dealer. Most bikes out of warranty or more than three years old were not worked on.  They would not do modifications or aftermarket installs.
 I had a three year old bike come in that H D totaled because mice ate the wiring in the faring. I cleaned and rewired it . The bill was around $800.00. The owner got around $18000.00 and bought the bike back from the insurance company. The cheap sob didn't even offer to buy me a beer.

                                                da prez

[f6john]

My only new bike purchase was my 99 Valkyrie. The dealer mechanic either didn’t know how or didn’t want to work on it. Bought a factory service manual and joined the VRCC, problem solved!

[DIGGER]

Manoman....Im blown away.    I contacted the 4 major Honda motorcycle dealers in the Houston area and none of them want to work on my 2001 Valkyrie due to age.  However....the one closest to me that I have dealt with the last 10 yrs or so did give me the business card of a repair shop that they highly recommend.   

[scooperhsd]

Manoman....Im blown away.    I contacted the 4 major Honda motorcycle dealers in the Houston area and none of them want to work on my 2001 Valkyrie due to age.  However....the one closest to me that I have dealt with the last 10 yrs or so did give me the business card of a repair shop that they highly recommend.   

See - I told you....

[Jess from VA]

Up my way, I used the lead tech at the huge local Honda dealer for years (expert gold Wing/F6 guy).  He finally got fed up with leadership, quit, and started his own shop.  So I still have a guy.  But his place is three times farther away.... cheaper rents. 

[Valkorado]

BigBF was a Godsend.  He will be sorely missed by many of us, and by our old fat ladies.  Or is that fat ol' ladies?  Either way, he'll be missed.

[Jess from VA]

BigBF was a Godsend.  He will be sorely missed by many of us, and by our old fat ladies.  Or is that fat ol' ladies?  Either way, he'll be missed.

He is missed.  He was such a good and gentle man, and an ace mechanic.

I employed him every time he was in my area, and had him do overkill maintenance (every damn thing), because the bikes are old and can use all the TLC they can get, AND because that's how he made his living and I wanted to support him (and because I'm a sucky and reluctant mechanic).  I gave him a room in my house (he and his dog), cooked or ordered all meals, watched him work, and we filled up a whole legal pad talking about the bikes and everything else under the sun when he was here.  He really was one of kind.

And it's a testament to his skills that my bikes are both running great with no problems since the last time he was here.  All I've done since is tires.  

So now we need a new ace mechanic to fit out a 40 foot trailer and drive around the country fixing and maintaining our beloved motorcycles.  Somebody?  Anybody?   I'm not a bad cook.  

[LTD]

Your right Big BF was really great he is sorely missed..   I broke down in East Texas last year on the way to Inzane bad wheel bearing and got lucky the local honda dealer worked on my bike.

[MAD6Gun]

 Yeah, Bill had a great setup and he is sorely missed. But keep in mind there are quite a few guys across the country that can work on  Valkyries. Myself included. Although I don't (and I suspect most don't ) have the capital or gumption to do what Bill did, I am more then willing to work on Valks in my area. Hell I've even driven a few hours away to pick some up.  But don't forget Dave Wilder,Jared Hinkle,Wood Butcher and many more that can too.

[f6john]

Yeah, Bill had a great setup and he is sorely missed. But keep in mind there are quite a few guys across the country that can work on  Valkyries. Myself included. Although I don't (and I suspect most don't ) have the capital or gumption to do what Bill did, I am more then willing to work on Valks in my area. Hell I've even driven a few hours away to pick some up.  But don't forget Dave Wilder,Jared Hinkle,Wood Butcher and many more that can too.

I appreciate you guys willing to help the rest of us. At the Dragon Weyr this past weekend, I was only there for a couple of hours, but I saw Mitch O, among others helping bleed the clutch on a Wing trike. And I enjoyed watching you repair those leaking carbs at Inzane last year.

[signart]

Took my '08 BMW to Knoxville dealer to clear a light warning light on the panel. They had a prominent sign at the door saying that they did not service bikes over 10 yrs old.
They were very friendly and got the diagnostics done on it for 1/2 hr labor ($75). It needed some sort of sensor that cost hundreds, but said it wasn't necessary in so many words, but they could bypass it to turn the warning light off with a connector that would need to be ordered and another 1/2 hr labor, pst included ($75).
They also said it had a recall on the fuel pump that they would order and install at no cost at the same time. Nice that they would honor a recall on a 14 yr old bike (K1300GT)

[Rams]

Nice that they would honor a recall on a 14 yr old bike (K1300GT)

Question, do they have a choice on a recall?

Rams

[Serk]

Nice that they would honor a recall on a 14 yr old bike (K1300GT)

Question, do they have a choice on a recall?

Rams

I was curious about that so did some googlin' and short answer, to my surprise, they did NOT have to do the recall for free:

"Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?
Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks."

(Although the language is a little confusing, apparently the recall has to be issued before the vehicle reaches 10 years of age, it doesn't say much about how long after the recall is issued one has to have the repair done gratis)

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallprocess.cfm

[Rams]

Nice that they would honor a recall on a 14 yr old bike (K1300GT)

Question, do they have a choice on a recall?

Rams

I was curious about that so did some googlin' and short answer, to my surprise, they did NOT have to do the recall for free:

"Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?
Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks."

(Although the language is a little confusing, apparently the recall has to be issued before the vehicle reaches 10 years of age, it doesn't say much about how long after the recall is issued one has to have the repair done gratis)

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallprocess.cfm

That's good information to know.   Thanks for doing the research.

I guess that means Mother Honda won't replace my OEM Tire Valves.............. 

Rams

[signart]

I don't know if they have a choice, but if they get reimbursed by BMW, I'm sure they would accept the order for repair. There is no apparent problem as of now, prolly some minor annoyance, like a FIRE. If it is a safety recall, I imagine they would extend it to a very reasonable time period, as found on braking, steering etc on an automobile.

[DIGGER]

Gonna have to start learning how to do basic work on the Valkyrie myself.   Air filter has over 50,000 miles on it.   Pulled the tank and had to loosen the handle bars to turn them up due to bar backs I installed long ago.    Got the old air filter out...it really needed changing.... then 5 hrs later I managed to get everything completed.   The 3 hoses going to the tank were all 3 so short the tank had to be in place before they would reach.   Having to work thru a very small hole I managed to drop a hose clamp that fell into never never land on top if the engine.   Went to 3 auto parts and a lawn mower shop before I found a clamp that would work.  Anyways....nothing is as easy as it looks.   

[Jess from VA]

Maybe too late Digger, but I've found that the OE lines under the tank are just long enough that a small piece of 2 by 4, turned on end and stuck under the tank in back (against the frame), will allow you to use both hands to work unhooking and hooking those lines up.  That's 3.5".  Use a headband led light to see.

Trying to work one handed, holding the tank up in back with the other is impossible. 

[signart]

Long handled needle nose pliers are handy for the task noted above, also.

[cookiedough]

I found a local mechanic expertise wise specializing in 1100 1200 goldwings and 1500 goldwings, so a Valk should be similar if ever need carbs taken apart.  He just did my kids 1997 honda magna carbs leaking gas and other minor things while torn apart over the winter.  Did tell him though was not too happy him overfilling the rotella T6 oil 8 ounces overfilled and underfilling the radiator 6 ounces from full.  Pretty sure he overcharged me on the oil change I can do it for 30 bucks parts costs.  He charged me 85 bucks thought that was a tad excessive.  Around 500 bucks on labor for carbs was enough as well.  Luckily he said he will stand behind his work for a few years as he should in case carbs leak again, etc. 

Since he was doing it outta his heated attached home garage in dead cold of winter,  I think the idle speed is set a tad high as well at 1200 rpms now that it has warmed up, should be closer to 1000 rpms once warmed up I think.  Easy adjustment turn knob though in case I want to turn it down just a smidge.