I think I found my new Valk IS, but....

If that bluing is on stock double wall pipes, it may be that he left it running (too) long over the winter (sitting in the garage).

Check to make sure the bag lids and hardware are all in place and working and snug up tight, and the trunk too.

Ask if he has a file on all maintenance (if he does, you want it), you'd like to know the oil/filter/air filter has been changed and the rear end lubed, and if he has ever had Ujoint, starter, alternator problems. How old is the battery? Does it have the OE valve stems (and elbow supports in place) or upgrade to metal 90* stems. How long has the bike sat (winters?), have the carbs ever been worked on, has the petcock been worked on (coverset?), or petcock been upgraded to Pingle? When was the last time he changed the brake and clutch fluid (the sight glass in the master cylinders should be more clear than dark amber). When did he last get new brake pads, and are the rotors smooth or have a big lip on the outside edge? When was the antifreese/distilled water last changed (look below the radiator cap for evidence of past leaking)? Are the plugs original or been changed (to OE NGKs?)

Is he throwing in a Honda service manual? Does he have the little bike manual? You want the stock tool kit, where is it?

Pull the dipstick and look at the quality of the oil on it (and level).

If you want to see if it's been over, get down and look under the front engine guards and rear bag guards (scrapes and bangs).

You can look under the driver's pegs/boards to see if they have been scraped (no big deal, mine are, but it shows his riding style).

If it has a car tire, do you want a car tire (or can you ride it home that way)? Are the tires any good, how old are they (if you learn how to read the date of mfr codes on the sidewalls, you can see for yourself)? Has he kept the wheels clean and polished or how badly pitted are they?

If he has added any electrical (lights, gear), who did the work, is there a fuse block or does it all run to the pos. battery post, is it fused?

Did he add taller risers?

Are the bulbs in the fairing headlights original or ever been changed? Check hi/low beams for function and front rear brake lights for function, and signals for function. Make sure the radio works. Rear speakers added?

Are the shocks original or been upgraded? Are they 13" original height or shorter? (if it hasn't been well cleaned, a close look at the top covers can reveal leaks). How do the top shock bushings look, are they perfectly centered or off center?

Any seller worth his salt will have started and run the bike before you show up (feel the engine for heat), it's always best of you get to see it started up dead cold.

They rarely leak, but discover where he has parked it and look for old oil stains. You can look down low on the left and see if he has a shifter seal leak.

Learn how to remove the side covers correctly (pull the back out first and swing them forward off hooks), and look to see if the radiator reservoir is full to line, and see if there is evidence of a fuse block melt, are all the spare fuses present, and any wiring add-ons look clean. If it's filthy, he's never/rarely been in there.

I'd look for a bike that has all or most of the extra chrome and other stuff that is hard to find and/or expensive already on it. OE or upgrade seats?

That's all for now.