Need Help/Advice in MN

[Madwoman]

My husband owned a 99 Valkyrie Interstate - It was his baby. He passed away last summary and the bike is too big for me to ride. I have a Magna. We hadn't ridden it for a while due to circumstances too many to list.  I put the bike in storage and when they got ready to bring it back this spring, they discovered it has a problem with the gear that engages with the starter.  They are telling me that it is $2000-2500 to fix. I need to sell the bike and I am not sure if I should sell it "as is" or fix it and sell it. The bike is in immaculate condition with only 13,000 miles on it. My husband wasn't having any problems with it so this is all a huge surprise to me.  From what I can tell the bike should be worth $8500 or more.  The dealer offered me $2500 which felt like an insult.  The service person said when they did have it running, it ran perfectly. Like I said, my husband wasn't having any problems with it. It didn't start when I put it in storage but I thought just the battery was dead. Any advice or thoughts you can share would be appreciated.
Thanks - Maddie

[R J]

If the battery is up and it no connect, I'd say it needs a starter button maintenance on it.....

Do you patronize the MN board?

If so grab ahold of T.P. or Ebony Red, they are the MN Rep(s) state and Chapter..

Someone should live fairly close to you that could perform this maintenance on the starter button.....

Here is the link to the MN board.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/mn/

[R J]

If it is a gear busted, then it hydro locked on them and they hit the button and broke the gear.........

That looks to me like it would be their fault for not checking the cylinders before trying to start it.......

I always pull the plugs and roll it over after mine has set all winter.....  Just for that very reason.......  As there is times I forget to turn the fuel valve to the off position on those long storage time periods.........

[MP]

Your 8500 is about right, depending on bling.  $2500, they should be charged with attempted robbery!  Seriously.  It button repair, pretty easy and cheap.  If  hydrolock broke the gear, they did it.  However, i am sure you will never get them to admit it, because they know how much it costs to fix!!!
Good luck. 
If wanting to sell, ebay is a good place.
MP

[Master Blaster]

I would put it up for a reasonable price with full disclosure of the problem  You should be able to get around 6-7 grand as is if it is as clean as you describe.  The place you had do the work severely dropped the ball, and unfortunately you will probably never get them to accept responsibility.  Its an obvious hydrolock and even if they repair it, they might not address the cause.  IE leaking petcock and sticking carburetor float valves.  It is an expensive repair to have done at a dealer, but not so bad for a do it yourself repair.  I know there are some capable Valksters out there that are lusting for an great low mileage Interatate, and it would be a means for them to get into one they couldnt otherwise afford by investing a little sweat equity, and at the same time help you out.  Good luck with it, and keep us posted. 

[T.P.]

I grew up in west Bloomington, now live in Apple Valley. no problem to look at the Valkyrie. call my cell from the VRCC/MN site.  T.P.