She had me at "Vaarrrooooommm!"

[97ValkSteve]

Actually, she had me before because i haven't even had a varroom yet cause the damn key isn't here yet but I just like the name of the post so there.  ANYWAY, got my 97 Valkyrie with 3481 miles on it delivered today, finally, from an ebay auction.  Here she is in my garage......




My neighbor helped me push her into the garage where she sits waiting on a key that was supposed to be delivered today but was not (I told the people I'd pay for overnight delivery).  

First impressions:  Good looking bike.  The paint job is very well done.  Can't tell it started life as black.  At first glance it looks new but signs of age are there but not bad.  Just needs some polishing especially the wheels.  All in all very nice looking bike.  HATE the mirrors.  After market bling that's hard to adjust.  Have to remove the racing Tach so can add a windshield.  Have to rerelocate the rear turn signals so can add saddle bags.  Will withhold judgement on the neon spark plug wires till I see them but they'll probably go as well.  Will post  better pics and videos when I get THE FRIGGIN KEY!!!

Think I'll use this post in the near future to record my affair with this big old fat lady.  OH!  Not as heavy as I thought she'd be.  I had a ZZR 1200 before this and a Yamaha 1100 Classic before that and it feels a lot like the Yamaha.  Much easier to get off the side stand than I thought it would be.  

Other initaial thoughts..... That engine looks HOT!!!!  It's got forward foot pegs but won't they burn your legs?

I've got Avons to slap on as soon as get MY FRICKIN' KEY and the FRICKIN' TITLE.  Sorry, but I'm a little obsessed with getting the FRICKIN' KEY!!!!

Anyway, she's in my garage and I'll post updates here as the arise.  Steve

[97ValkSteve]

Dammit!  Still having problems posting pics!

[97ValkSteve]

There she is!

[toetruck21]

Nice looking bike, I would lose the tassels on the handles also, JMO!  If you ever get the key hope you have some fun with her!  I have had mine for 30 days now and just have about 800 miles on her!  You will enjoy......

[musclehead]

oh shes a sexy thing isn't she? 

[97ValkSteve]

Nice looking bike, I would lose the tassels on the handles also, JMO!  If you ever get the key hope you have some fun with her!  I have had mine for 30 days now and just have about 800 miles on her!  You will enjoy......

Yeah, I'm not one for tassels either but the clutch and front brake levers are nicely rapped.  Maybe I'll just snip em' off. 

When I get the key I'll post some YouTube vids of the neon spark plug things and maybe have a vote. 

[97ValkSteve]

oh shes a sexy thing isn't she? 

Can't deny that. 

[Rowdy]

  Like the color and set up   

[slider]

now thats a purrrtty one you got!!If you dont want the neon wires let me know would like to purchase thanks slider   oh yeah got the key yet??(couldnt pass it up)   

[Tropic traveler]

NIIIIICE!!!!!

[GreenLantern57]

Sweet!

[Redline +]

It will most definitely "Vaarrrooooommm" with those open Two Brothers pipes. 

Got the key yet...you could hot wire it! 

Redline 

[Hook#3287]

Nice Paint!   

It's got forward foot pegs but won't they burn your legs?

The heads get warm, but not so hot as to burn, unless your riding in shorts, which I would never suggest you do.

Good pair a boots keep the ankles happy.

Get the key and enjoy.

[Grandpa Bigbuck]

Good looking ride. I really like that paint job.



 

[old2soon]

Didja get the frickin frappin friggin ignition iniator yet??? You get on your fat mama-just be prepared for her to take over your life. Nice lookin scooter ya got there. Hope you get the little plastic and metal thingy your awaitin on. RIDE SAFE. Leastwise iffin that thingy(key) ever shows up.

[olddog1946]

That really is a lovely lady....Get in the habit of shutting that petcock off...don't need to take chances with her...or just ship her over here and I'll be happy to shut the petcock off after every ride. hehe..
YOUR GONNA LOVE HER !!!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

If it only has 3,400 miles on it I wonder why it was painted    I wonder how the pipes blued up so fast    Took my Cobra's well over 10,000 miles to blue up that bad they are single wall like the Two Brothers.I had mine ceramic coated about 50,000 miles ago and they still look great.....Nice bike you have     However  I still  wonder about it 

[Gerard irl]

 :cooldude:Nice bike man wear well

[Red Diamond]

Hey doughtful Joe, don't burst the man's bubble, but iffin it was mine, I'd know how good it runs, because I would have a key right after it hit the ground. Good luck, nice bike.

[Jess Tolbirt]

take the VIN to the Honda shop and get one made!!!
or sit and wait on the mail and you know how dependable they are,,,LOL got a Valk and no key,,,

[MP]

take the VIN to the Honda shop and get one made!!!
or sit and wait on the mail and you know how dependable they are,,,LOL got a Valk and no key,,,

Do not know if you can do that.

If you take a key in, they will duplicate it.  Just a VIN though, I would hope not.  Otherwise, any one could take a VIN off a bike on the street, and go get a key made up.

If you take the title with you, then it may well work.  You should have to prove that you own the bike, before they make a key for you.

MP

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

take the VIN to the Honda shop and get one made!!!
or sit and wait on the mail and you know how dependable they are,,,LOL got a Valk and no key,,,

Do not know if you can do that.

If you take a key in, they will duplicate it.  Just a VIN though, I would hope not.  Otherwise, any one could take a VIN off a bike on the street, and go get a key made up.

If you take the title with you, then it may well work.  You should have to prove that you own the bike, before they make a key for you.

MP

+1 Nice scoot and I still have "pipe envy" 

[Oss]

sweet lookin ride

the odometer only goes to 99999 on a standard if I remember so it MAY have 103000 on it

but not to worry as that means it is just gettin broken in

what kind of tires is on the bike  are they original dunlops? look on the side wall of the tires for the DOT number and post it for us   the number tells you when the tire was made   if it was made before 97 it really is a cherry

good luck with the key   

[Hook#3287]

Another way to test mileage is to "Mic" the brake rotors.  If she's only 3-4K old, the rotors should be almost new.

[MacDragon]

Great looking bike with some mods... The blued pipes and paint job seem suspicious for 3400 mi on her...hmmmm.

hope ya get the key soon.... a Valk without a key... is just a good looking paperweight.

[Scooby]

What kind of tires are on her right now?  With that low of mileage I would assume that the crappy old Dunflops are on her...........if not it may have had a tire change and at that mileage it would make me wonder.  If I remember right there were the original Dunlops and the E 3's, can't remember if there was a model in-between, but someone else may remember.

Scooby

[Willow]

Great looking bike with some mods... The blued pipes and paint job seem suspicious for 3400 mi on her...hmmmm.

TBRs normally don't blue.  My suspicion is the bike was allowed to sit at idle for way too long causing the pipes to heat up unreasonably.  The custom paint wouldn't be all that unusual were the bike owned by a dealer that wanted to use it as a showcase item.  It was a plain black.  Why wouldn't someone want to paint it?

I am a little worried about the bike in the garage with no key and no title.  I've seen that scam before where the police show up at your door with a warrant regarding receiving stolen property and they've already got your money.  You might want to get that bike into someone else's house before the hammer falls.  PM me if you need help with that.    

[97ValkSteve]

Oh, ye of little faith.  Don't you think I checked out their story as best I could with motorcycle version of CarFax.  It was "built" by a Honda dealer who let it sit on the showroom floor in Ohio for 3 years until he sold it to his current boss who coveted it.  It wasn't titled until 2000.  From what I gather, most of its miles were put on down at Daytona bike week over the years which could indeed explain a lot of idle running and hence the early bluing of the pipes.  Boss never rode it much so it has very little miles on it.  No way over 100,000 but I did think of that in my research.  Here's some pics I just took of the DOT numbers on the tires which may indicate they (Dunlops) were made in 1996......





Here's another pic of it being offloaded from the truck yesterday...




By the way, I had the title last week but they forgot to notarize it which is required in Ohio so I had to send it back to them.  There was only one key which I told them to hold onto until the shippers picked it up in Ohio in case they needed it.  You can't ship the key with the motorcycle. 

The big fuc%up was caused by UPS which dropped off my title and key in a package yesterday in my neighbors driveway down the street.  They discovered it this morning and brought it too me.  UPS has been notified that I want a full refund.  Anyway, got the key, got the title.  Registered her today and ordered two key blanks (yes, I got the right ones).  Wanted VROOOM for my tag but it was taken so got my second choice of 97VALK. 

Will post my initial driving impressions later but gotta go fix a bourbon and water and start the grill.

Well, hell.  You already know I had a good time, don't ya?     Steve

[Sodbuster]

Nice lookin scoot 

Whatcha got in mind for saddlebags ??  I'm guessing some studded leather bags ??

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Way to go Steve ! O YE of little faith ! The sky is falling, the sky is falling ! and it is going to Hydolock! Flamming death if a car tire gets near it !  You have a great bike just enjoy it !

[old2soon]

Glad ya got that metal and platic thingy. Makes life a little easier when ya finally get all your little duckies lined up and going approx the same direction. Enjoy the new to you fat girl. RIDE SAFE.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  FINALLY

[97ValkSteve]

Thanks guys!  Here's a couple of vids showing the Dr. Neon light thingies.  It seems to be one piece on each side with a splice on the spark plug wire.

[url]http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu285/zzrsteve/?action=view&current=MVI_0420.mp4]

http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu285/zzrsteve/?action=view&current=MVI_0420.mp4	powered by Aeva

[url]http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu285/zzrsteve/?action=view&current=MVI_0427-1.mp4]

http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu285/zzrsteve/?action=view&current=MVI_0427-1.mp4	powered by Aeva

By the way, the video in no way makes the Two Brothers pipes sound as awesome as they do. 

[Sodbuster]

I guess if it were me I would remove the neon show .... but, the pipes sound awesome 

[Willow]

I watched the videos.  I think I just figured out why the pipes are blued.      

Oh, I'd lose the neon wires.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

This bike show's 28,000 miles it has well over 66,000 miles....It's on it's third speedometer from two crashes before I bought it. Custom paint and a few years ago it showed all 000000 but in reality it had 38,000 miles on it. Pictures below are all the same bike and I'm not out to bust anyone's bubble.As stated I was just wonderin'    I'm not going to call any names but I know someone who unhooked the cable and rode the wheels off his bike then hooked the cable up and sold the bike.

[97ValkSteve]

I watched the videos.  I think I just figured out why the pipes are blued.      

Oh, I'd lose the neon wires.

So why are the pipes blue?

[Michael K (Az.)]

I watched the videos.  I think I just figured out why the pipes are blued.      

Oh, I'd lose the neon wires.

So why are the pipes blue?

Low idle speed?
next!

[97ValkSteve]

From cycle VIN....

Motor Vehicle Information Report
Vehicle Description
VIN:
1HFSC3407VA003139
Make:
HONDA
Model:
GL1500
Year:
1997
Information from VIN as of 03/22/2011 13:08
Summary
1 - Title Record 0 - Title Brand Records 0 - Junk and Salvage Records 0 - Insurer "Total" Records
Title Information Last Title on record with VIN
OHIO Title
VIN:
1HFSC3407VA003139
Title Issue Date:
05/19/2000
Odometer:
30 Miles
If you would like additional information regarding a vehicle title, click here for contact information
Please note: The odometer reading provided is as of the titling date and does not represent the current odometer reading.
0 previous titles found
Title Brand Information
0 Brands found on this VIN
1 of 5
Junk and Salvage Information No information found
THIS IS GOOD NEWS!
NOTE: No Junk/Salvage information was found in the VIN records, for this vehicle. However, most consumer groups highly recommend that you have any used or repaired vehicle inspected by a qualified technician that is independent of the seller.
Insurer "Total" Information
No information found THIS IS GOOD NEWS!
GOOD NEWS!! We have checked the following brand categories, in the NMVTIS database, and found no evidence that this vehicle has been branded:
Salvaged/Junked/Totaled Flood Damaged Commercial Use Odometer Issues
Rebuilt/Reconstructed/Repaired Damaged Fire/Hail Cash for Clunkers
Prior Theft (A complete list of all Brand Definitions is included in this report)
2 of 5
Title Brands - Glossary
Title Brand
Clear Flood damage
Fire damage Hail damage Salt water damage Vandalism Kit
Dismantled Junk
Rebuilt Reconstructed Salvage
Test Vehicle Refurbished
Collision Reserved Salvage Retention Prior Taxi Prior Police Original Taxi Original Police Remanufactured Gray Market Warranty Return Antique Classic
Agricultural Vehicle Logging Vehicle Street Rod
Vehicle Contains Reissued VIN
Description
No brand exists for the vehicle.
Vehicle damaged by freshwater flood (or it is unknown whether the damage was caused by fresh water or salt water).
Vehicle damaged by fire.
Vehicle damaged by hail.
Vehicle damaged by saltwater flood.
Vehicle damaged by vandals.
A Vehicle that has been built by combining a chassis with a different (non-matching VIN) frame, engine, and body parts. The VIN on the chassis is used as the vehicle's VIN.
The vehicle can only be sold as parts and can not be legally driven.
The vehicle is incapable of safe operation for use on the roads or highways and has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap, or the vehicle's owner has irreversibly designated the vehicle as a source of parts or scrap. This vehicle shall never be titled or registered. Also known as non-repairable, scrapped, or destroyed.
The vehicle, previously branded "salvage", has passed anti-theft and safety inspections, or other jurisdiction procedures, to ensure the vehicle was rebuilt to required standards. Also known as prior salvage (salvaged).
A vehicle that has been permanently altered from original construction by removing, adding, or substituting major components.
Damage or Not Specified - Any vehicle which has been wrecked, destroyed or damaged, to the extent that the total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its pre-accident condition and for legal operation on roads or highways exceeds a jurisdiction-defined percentage of the retail value of the vehicle. The retail value of the vehicle is determined by a current edition of a nationally recognized compilation (to include automated data bases) of retail values.
Salvage--Damage or Not Specified also includes any vehicle to which an insurance company acquires ownership pursuant to a damage settlement, or any vehicle that the vehicle's owner may wish to designate as a salvage vehicle by obtaining a salvage title, without regard to extent of the vehicle's damage and repairs, or any vehicle for which the jurisdiction cannot distinguish the reason the vehicle was designated salvage.
The vehicle is built and retained by the manufacturer for testing.
Any vehicle modified by the installation of a new cab and chassis for the existing coach which has been renovated, resulting in a vehicle of greater value or a vehicle with a new style.
Vehicle damaged by collision.
Eliminated in favor of code 09. Code 15 was "Prior Salvage."
The vehicle is branded salvage and is kept by the owner.
Vehicle previously registered as a taxi.
Vehicle previously registered as a police vehicle.
Vehicle is currently registered as a taxi.
Vehicle is currently registered as a police vehicle.
Vehicle was reconstructed by the manufacturer.
Vehicle was manufactured for use outside of the United States and has been brought into the United States.
Vehicle returned to the manufacturer because of a breach in the warranty.
The vehicle is over 50 years old.
The vehicle is over 20 years old and adheres to other jurisdiction-specific criteria, e.g., vehicle make, condition, etc.
The vehicle will primarily be operated on private roads for agricultural purposes. The vehicle will primarily be operated on private roads for logging purposes.
The vehicle has been modified to not conform with the manufacturer's specifications, and the modifications adhere to jurisdiction-specific criteria.
The chassis VIN has been reissued, i.e. the same VIN is reused.
3 of 5
Replica Totaled Owner Retained Bond Posted
Memorandum Copy Parts Only Recovered Theft
Undisclosed Lien
Prior Owner Retained
Vehicle Non-conformity Uncorrected
Vehicle Non-conformity Corrected
Vehicle Safety Defect Uncorrected
Vehicle Safety Defect Corrected
VIN replaced by a new state assigned VIN
Gray Market Gray Market Manufacturer Buy Back
Former Rental Salvage--Stolen
Salvage--Reasons Other Than Damage or Stolen
Disclosed Damage
Prior Non-Repairable / Repaired
Crushed
Actual
Not Actual Not Actual
Exempt from Odometer Disclosure
Exceeds Mechanical Limits
Odometer may be Altered
A vehicle with a body built to resemble and be a reproduction of another vehicle of a given year and given manufacturer.
A vehicle that is declared a total loss by a jurisdiction or an insurer that is obligated to cover the loss or that the insurer takes possession of or title to.
A vehicle that has been declared by the insurance company to be a total loss but the owner maintains possession and ownership of the vehicle.
The insurance company has issued a bond on the vehicle because the ownership of the vehicle cannot be proven; this allows the vehicle to be sold and titled. Note: This brand is not valid after January 17, 2003.
The title document is a facsimile title and not the active (original or duplicate) title document. The vehicle may only be used for parts. This code is no longer used, and has been replaced by "Dismantled".
The vehicle was previously titled as salvage due to theft. The Vehicle has been repaired and inspected (or complied with other jurisdiction procedures) and may be legally driven.
The vehicle has entered the titling jurisdiction from a jurisdiction that does not disclose lien-holder information on the title. The titling jurisdiction may issue a new title without this brand if no notice of a security interest in the vehicle is received, within a jurisdiction defined timeframe. Note: This brand is not valid after January 17, 2003.
A vehicle that was previously branded owner retained and was sold. The new owner's title contains this brand. A non-safety defect reported to the jurisdiction by the vehicle manufacturer remains uncorrected.
A non-safety defect reported to the jurisdiction by the vehicle manufacturer has been corrected. A safety defect reported to the jurisdiction by the vehicle manufacturer remains uncorrected. A safety defect reported to the jurisdiction by the vehicle manufacturer has been corrected. A title should not be issued for the VIN. This brand can be issued for rebuilt vehicles.
Vehicle was manufactured for use outside the United States and has been brought into the United States. The vehicle is not in compliance with applicable federal standards.
Vehicle was manufactured for use outside the United States and has been brought into the United States. The vehicle is in compliance with applicable federal standards.
A vehicle that has been bought back by the manufacturer under jurisdiction -defined regulations or laws, such as lemon laws. For example, the manufacturer could be obligated to buy back the vehicle when a specified number of repair attempts fails to correct a major problem on a new vehicle, or if a new vehicle has been out of service for repair for the same problem for a cumulative period of 30 days or more, within one year of purchase.
Former Rental
Any vehicle the reporting jurisdiction considers salvage because an insurance company has acquired ownership pursuant to a settlement based on the theft of the vehicle.
Any vehicle the reporting jurisdiction considers salvage based on criteria, such as abandonment, not covered by the Salvage-- Damage or Not Specified and Salvage--Stolen brands.
The vehicle has sustained damage to the extent that the damage is required to be disclosed under the jurisdiction's damage disclosure law.
A vehicle constructed by repairing a vehicle that has been destroyed or declared to be non-repairable or otherwise declared to not be eligible for titling because of the extent of damage to the vehicle but has been issued a title pursuant to state law after falling within this criterion with this brand on the face of the certificate of title.
The frame or chassis of the vehicle has been crushed or otherwise destroyed so that it is physically impossible to use it in constructing a vehicle.
The true mileage for the vehicle. The odometer has not been tampered with, reached its mechanical limits, or been altered.
The odometer reading is known to be other than the true mileage for the vehicle.
Odometer tampering verified - The odometer reading is known to be other that the true mileage for the vehicle, due to tampering.
The vehicle falls within criteria that allow it to change ownership without disclosure of the odometer reading.
The odometer reading is less than the true mileage of the vehicle because the odometer can not display the total number of true miles.
The titling authority has reason to believe that the odometer reading does not reflect the true mileage of the vehicle because of an alteration to the odometer.
The odometer in the vehicle is not the odometer put in the vehicle when manufactured.
Odometer Replaced
4 of 5
Reading at Time of Renewal
The odometer reading was recorded when the registration was renewed.
Odometer Discrepancy
The titling authority has reason to believe that the odometer reading does not reflect the true mileage of the vehicle because of known previous recorded values of odometer for the vehicle.
Call Title Division
The titling authority knows of some problem with the odometer reading that it cannot print on a title. Titling authority will discuss the problem (manual process) with authorized inquirers.
Rectify Previous Exceeds Mechanical Limits Brand
A state other than the brander corrected.
Pending Junk Automobile - CARS.gov
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) program is processing an application which, if approved, will render this vehicle incapable of operating on public streets, roads, and highways. The vehicle will have no value except as a source of parts or scrap, shall be crushed or shredded within a specified time period (including the engine block), and shall not be exported prior to crushing or shredding. For additional information concerning the CARS program visit CARS.gov.
Junk Automobile - CARS.gov
Pursuant to the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 (CARS) this vehicle is incapable of operating on public streets, roads, and highways. The vehicle has no value except as a source of parts or scrap, shall be crushed or shredded within a specified time period (including the engine block), and shall not be exported prior to crushing or shredding. For additional information concerning the CARS program visit CARS.gov.
5 of 5

Don't know why I'm defending this purchase.  Sorry if Smokin Joe can't wrap his mind around it.  It's a nice bike. 

[Willow]

So why are the pipes blue?

If you let a bike run sitting still long enough almost any pipes will blue.  My guess would be the previous owner spent a lot of time showing off those neon wires and not so much time with it in the wind.

Just my guess.  I have 150,000 miles on my TBRs and they don't look blue. 

[97ValkSteve]

So why are the pipes blue?

If you let a bike run sitting still long enough almost any pipes will blue.  My guess would be the previous owner spent a lot of time showing off those neon wires and not so much time with it in the wind.

Just my guess.  I have 150,000 miles on my TBRs and they don't look blue. 

I would guess you are correct, sir.  This boy ain't going to let er' sit too long in one place though.  Gonna ride her as much as I can.