New member, picking up bike tomorrow, has a leak

[gordonv]

As for the applying the chock, and possibly needing cleaning, do it the easy way, for any New-To-You bike. Add 1/2 can of Berryman B12 carb cleaner into 1/2 tank of fuel. Drive normally. Most carb problems go away.

This should clear up most items. If it doesn't then, then a 2nd try, and if the carbs give you a lot of running problems, then worry about a carb rebuild, not before.

[..]

Berryman B12

    Add 1 oz. of cleaner per 1 gallon of fuel
    Use every 2500-3000 miles or every oil change as part of regular maintenance
    Excessive use of this product in high concentrations may be harmful to your vehicle!
    Do not use with Diesel Engines!

http://www.fuelinjectorcleanerhq.com/berryman-b-12-chemtool-carburetor-fuel-treatment-and-injector-cleaner-review/

[Roidfingers]

BOWK, you have been in the military. You know how to do things by procedure. If you can turn half a wrench, you got this. I hadn't riden in 25 years when I got my girl. Had 41,000 on her. Never worked on a motorcycle before. But because of this site and all the AWESOME members, I've done all the maintenance. Pulled carb backs and cleaned. Installed different exhaust. new handle bars, did the rear end, darkside tire, etc etc.....
 
If the Stealer said they replaced all seals, then ask them why is this leaking.? Offer 3400 and see what they say.

[Bowk]

Offered them 3800, settled on 4100 for the bike with my trade in. As far as procedures go, yea.. I'm not worried about maintenance. I was in the infantry but got "voluntold" to be the company armorer. I've smashed.many a thumb and lost thousands of small parts, but gained the experience working on things that gave me the confidence to tackle this ol girl.

Now if any of you can control the weather so I can actually ride it home, that would be great!

[Harryc]

Congrats. Good luck with your new Phat Gurl.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Offered them 3800, settled on 4100 for the bike with my trade in. As far as procedures go, yea.. I'm not worried about maintenance. I was in the infantry but got "voluntold" to be the company armorer. I've smashed.many a thumb and lost thousands of small parts, but gained the experience working on things that gave me the confidence to tackle this ol girl.

Now if any of you can control the weather so I can actually ride it home, that would be great!

You hadn't mentioned trade in!!!!

I reckon you paid too much unless yer trade in was a piston melted Puch 50 moped.

...

What sort of bike was traded in?

[Bowk]

Well with it being raining I held off on signing all the paperwork and told the dealer I wouldnt touch the bike if they didn't replace all of the o-ring on the carbs and lube the splines. They told me not a problem, but everytime I call they have been dodgy and the response is usually "we didn't have the time yet, but we think you will be fine." Got a really bad feeling about it so pulled out of the deal..

A friend of mine just recently offered me his 2007 Suzuki m109r for 7k, which I have ridden and liked, I think that's what I'll end up with until I find a better deal for a valk.

I want to thank you all again for all of the advice and pointers, and I'll lurk in the background and absorb some wisdom until I get a valk, because sooner or later it's going to happen.

Ride safe everybody,

Bowk

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well with it being raining I held off on signing all the paperwork and told the dealer I wouldnt touch the bike if they didn't replace all of the o-ring on the carbs and lube the splines. They told me not a problem, but everytime I call they have been dodgy and the response is usually "we didn't have the time yet, but we think you will be fine." Got a really bad feeling about it so pulled out of the deal..

A friend of mine just recently offered me his 2007 Suzuki m109r for 7k, which I have ridden and liked, I think that's what I'll end up with until I find a better deal for a valk.

I want to thank you all again for all of the advice and pointers, and I'll lurk in the background and absorb some wisdom until I get a valk, because sooner or later it's going to happen.

Ride safe everybody,

Bowk

There are some fine Valkyries out there for sale. I'm sure you'll find one to your liking. 

[Bagger John - #3785]

There are some fine Valkyries out there for sale. I'm sure you'll find one to your liking.  

Absolutely.

I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the bike itself as I would the dealership.

What are they trying to hide by playing the game they're playing?

Like Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys often says: "Something's ..."

[The emperor has no clothes]

There are some fine Valkyries out there for sale. I'm sure you'll find one to your liking.  

Absolutely.

I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the bike itself as I would the dealership.

What are they trying to hide by playing the game they're playing?

Like Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys often says: "Something's ..."

Yeah, the first clue was them saying they replaced ALL seals .

[..]

Well with it being raining I held off on signing all the paperwork and told the dealer I wouldnt touch the bike if they didn't replace all of the o-ring on the carbs and lube the splines. They told me not a problem, but everytime I call they have been dodgy and the response is usually "we didn't have the time yet, but we think you will be fine." Got a really bad feeling about it so pulled out of the deal..

A friend of mine just recently offered me his 2007 Suzuki m109r for 7k, which I have ridden and liked, I think that's what I'll end up with until I find a better deal for a valk.

I want to thank you all again for all of the advice and pointers, and I'll lurk in the background and absorb some wisdom until I get a valk, because sooner or later it's going to happen.

Ride safe everybody,

Bowk

What bike were you going to trade in?

Maybe keep that so you go straight to a Valkyrie rather than buying the Suzuki?

I'd rather ride 10,000 miles on a Valkyrie than I would a V twin.

[Bowk]

My current bike is a 2013 Honda cb500x, it's just too small. I can't stand to ride it longer than 45 minutes because the wind pushes you around so much and the windshield is too small. It also doesn't have the power you need to pass safely, so my only option for an interested is to stop or change lanes for obstacles.

Good little bike, just not for me. I haven't made a final decision on what I'll do, but I know I want to ride.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Imma gonna get flamed for this (I'm sure), but...if you just want to ride and just want to ride something affordable and a bit bigger than your current bike, go find a pre-2008 Concours. Then head to Murph's website and pick up a few reliability and usability enhancements for it.

Trade your current ride in on a low mileage example and bide your time until you find the right Valkyrie.

[hubcapsc]

go find a pre-2008 Concours

No flame, I like them... why is that easier than finding a Valkyrie?

A Valkyrie is more my speed, perhaps the OP feels the same way?

-Mike "go find the thing you want, it is out there  "

[Bowk]

I'm suffering from my airborne infantry mantality... "Don't think, just jump!!"

Everything keeps going full circle to that Valk, "I can just fix it up,bit really did run smooth, come on, your friends call you Handy Andy" (first name is Andrew)..

I'm corrupted.

[Dale_K]

I'd trade you even up for my 98 standard with 22k miles.  I'd rather have a smaller bike for the kind of riding I do.  No issues on the 98.  Runs perfectly, no leaks of any kind, new tires and brakes, all new fluids, big windshield.  I'm in central Arkansas.  Send me a PM if you're interested.

[Roidfingers]

Where are you located Bowk?

[Bowk]

Arkansas is quite the hike, up in Northeast Wisconsin.

[Gavin_Sons]

Arkansas is quite the hike, up in Northeast Wisconsin.

I'd jump on that deal. Maybe you guys could meet half way. That is too good to pass up.. make a weekend oit of it

[Bowk]

It is one hell of a deal for sure, and he would be getting the short end of the stick. Even half way though, I doubt I could stay on my bike that long. Would be another thing with the Valkyrie I suppose.

[..]

Arkansas is quite the hike, up in Northeast Wisconsin.

I'd jump on that deal. Maybe you guys could meet half way. That is too good to pass up.. make a weekend oit of it

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

It is one hell of a deal for sure, and he would be getting the short end of the stick. Even half way though, I doubt I could stay on my bike that long. Would be another thing with the Valkyrie I suppose.

Hell, if that's what you are worried about just rent a UHaul.

[Bowk]

Lol, that's not a half bad idea, but still not convinced. "If it seems to good to be true, it usually is."

[Gavin_Sons]

Lol, that's not a half bad idea, but still not convinced. "If it seems to good to be true, it usually is."

I traded a smaller bike and some cash for a valkyrie 600 miles away 3 years ago. It was awesome.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Lol, that's not a half bad idea, but still not convinced. "If it seems to good to be true, it usually is."

Maybe, I don't know Dale K. Trade some pics back and forth, if it seems ok go down. If you don't like it in person, walk away.

[Bowk]

I appreciate the ideas guys, I just can't justify a 13 and a half hour trip. I would rather pay 500 more to get something local. Call me crazy, call me lazy, but it would be pretty hard for anyone to convince me of doing that. Especially with the weather we have been having lately, and it has most likely been far worse where he lives.

[Bagger John - #3785]

go find a pre-2008 Concours

No flame, I like them... why is that easier than finding a Valkyrie?

If ya gotta have a bigger bike and are having trouble finding the "right" Valkyrie, then a C10 is the next best thing. About a gazillion examples were produced.

Should distance be no object, I'm sure Bowk could find exactly what he wants.

I'm in a similar predicament: I want a certain model Harley -Rod to build into a Road Rod. It has to be a 2008 Night Rod - and not the Special. And it has to be stock for the most part; low mileage.

Try finding THAT in reasonable distance. 

[Bowk]

Well, in going to test ride the Valkyrie again. My buddy told me he would drive his bike to the dealership and look at it with me, then I could ride his home to compare.

Anything I should look for on the test ride? Are there any indicators of an abused rear end that I keep hearing about? (The splines in the shaft)

[Tfrank59]

 Well it's probably too late to say this but me personally I would've sold your Honda 550 privately and then searched like craigslist for a Valkyrie. That's what I did and I feel like I got a really good bike, a 1998 Valkyrie tourer with about 27K on it, and I got top dollar for the bike I sold which was a Triumph.  Anyways good luck and if the bike runs good during your test ride then you should be golden, after all it is a Honda

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well, in going to test ride the Valkyrie again. My buddy told me he would drive his bike to the dealership and look at it with me, then I could ride his home to compare.

Anything I should look for on the test ride? Are there any indicators of an abused rear end that I keep hearing about? (The splines in the shaft)

Not unless they are already toast. It's something you've got to inspect to see if they are wore down. If they really stand behind it, they should have no problem pulling the wheel.