Chance to buy a new 97

[Tfrank59]

Well almost new it has 7600 miles on it. It looks to be pristine too, it's one of those Pearl and green tourers that I love so much. I haven't looked at it up close and personal yet I probably will tomorrow but the seller said it's been in storage for 10 years. I think this is an estate sale and the previous owner passed away I guess. Anyway besides the fuel system being all gummed up what else should I look for on a bike that's been stored for that long and was hardly ever ridden prior?  I know a lot of you guys have more than one Valkyrie and I have three motorcycles at the moment just one of which is a valk, I'm thinking about possibly selling my 98 which is getting up there on miles and riding this low mileage one for I guess the rest of my life 

[Flrider]

I would check for rust on the tank, the rest would be a maintenance thing once you buy it, like new fluids and rest end maintenance.

Good luck with your purchase, hope it works out, it sure is a nice find.

[h13man]

Check the cylinders for possible petcock failure/hydrolock as sitting for 10 yrs. anything could happen not to mention rodent attack on wiring etc. Rust inside the tank would be the biggest culprit for sure.

[JimC]

I just went through this with a 7,000 mile valk.
Like said above. before purchase check tank for rust, if rusty, that opens up a whole can of worms re: carbs etc.

After purchase:
Tires
Brake fluid and calipers, if lucky, if not complete re-build.
Most of my switches did not work, I had to take them apart, clean and lubricate.
Rear drive line service.
Most of the vacuum lines were dry and cracking, figure to replace all, or desmog.
Throttle cables were slow to respond due to dried lubricant.

I'm sure there is more, but that should keep you busy for a while.

Jim

[sssportsmfg]

Well almost new it has 7600 miles on it. It looks to be pristine too, it's one of those Pearl and green tourers that I love so much. I haven't looked at it up close and personal yet I probably will tomorrow but the seller said it's been in storage for 10 years. I think this is an estate sale and the previous owner passed away I guess. Anyway besides the fuel system being all gummed up what else should I look for on a bike that's been stored for that long and was hardly ever ridden prior?  I know a lot of you guys have more than one Valkyrie and I have three motorcycles at the moment just one of which is a valk, I'm thinking about possibly selling my 98 which is getting up there on miles and riding this low mileage one for I guess the rest of my life 

I just got a under 7000 mile Valk, it other than the 1/3/5 carbs being gummed up is in perfect condition, brake rotors have almost zero wear, the fluid was a little dark but not bad and no crystallization in the master cylinders.   Didn't find any water in the MC's either.  I put in new fluid and bled it out to get all new fluid in the lines and calipers and the slave.   Of course I changed out all the lubes, rear end and the engine oil.  Synthetic all the way, Mobile 1 15w50w engine, and Mobile 1 75/90 rear end gear lube.   Absolutely everything else works.   It only doesn't fire at idle, anything above about 2000 rpm's and it fires on all cylinders, I took the pilot jets out sprayed carb cleaner through the passages .....but that didn't do the trick.   I have ridden it for 3-5 hours hoping that moving some fuel would do the trick....that didn't work either.   

Of course the tires are old, but no cracking at all.  But I am going to replace them and check the spline for lube when I do.   Good luck with her, and hopefully you will get as lucky as I did.   I have been purchasing all the seals and jets and am about to pull the carbs and go through them top to bottom.  Decided to install the .38 and .105 when I am in there, as I plan on putting the Cobra 6/6 on.

You basically did what I am doing, I sold my 60,000 mile tourer, for this low mileage bike.

Good luck!

Marty

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have 60k on my Standard and 145k on my Interstate. I’m sure I will give out before either of them do.

[sssportsmfg]

I have 60k on my Standard and 145k on my Interstate. I’m sure I will give out before either of them do.

You are probably right, there was absolutely nothing wrong with my 60,000 mile tourer.  Ran like a champ, sold it to my best friend, and he couldn't be happier.   I did go through the tourer from top to bottom when I got it, basically new everything, MC kits slave kit, all new fluids, new timing belts, new iridium plugs oil and antifreeze.  I had also changed it over to all LED lighting everything, light bar, headlight, tail, and all turn signals.   He got a sweet bike.   Now I am starting all over, but I enjoy working on them.

Marty

[Tfrank59]

 thanks for all your replies guys. I forgot how much crap I've done to my bike over the past 5 years I don't feel like going through it again really kind of talked myself out of it now. I think I might go look at the bike on behalf of a buddy of mine whom I won over from Harley's to Hondas  . He's got a couple of old wings but now wants to consider getting a valkyrie and this would be a great one for him he's very handy with a wrench. As for me I'll just keep riding my girl which has less than 83k on it it's still barely broken in right?