Retire the old Valkyrie

[jdp]

Well I think it’s time to retire the old girl and as much as I hat even writing this I might get a goldwing, I still ride coast to coast once a year and the Valkyrie has never let me down but it is getting old and I’ve noticed parts are hard to get, I’m just thinking out loud right now

[Jess from VA]

This sounds very similar to how some guys think about their wives. 

(Except retiring the old model can get VERY expensive)

[F6Dave]

My two Valkyries are semi-retired, like their owner! The Tourer with 182K miles is ridden mostly locally. The Interstate with 116K miles is used for the occasional overnight trip.

But a decade ago I added an F6B, which I ride on all my long trips. The audio system is much better, even though it gets little use on trips. The cruise control is a game changer on long stretches. And the 200+ mile range (thanks to fuel injection) eliminates range anxiety on those really deserted roads out west, like Nevada's 'Loneliest Road in America'. And if I ever need service away from home, there's a chance a Honda service department will know what it is.

[Knapdog]

Well I think it’s time to retire the old girl and as much as I hat even writing this I might get a goldwing, I still ride coast to coast once a year and the Valkyrie has never let me down but it is getting old and I’ve noticed parts are hard to get, I’m just thinking out loud right now

I'm doing what you're doing in reverse
 I'm now selling my year old Goldwing and going back to the Valkyrie that I sold a year since it's come back on the market. The Goldwing was superb in many ways but soulless.
I missed the Valkyrie and I can't quite believe it's on it's way back.

[Serk]

I thought the same thing a few years ago so added an '08 Wing for traveling...

Twice now I've had to have it towed home from failing on the road...

Granted, my Valk also had to get home under other than her own power a few times as well but meh... Ride what you like, have contingency plans in place to get you and the bike fixed or home as the need arises...

I'm keeping my Valk, still ride her, but she's an around town bike now.

[f6john]

Here’s the hard part for me. I still have my 99 Valkyrie that I bought new. I lavished a lot of time and money on it in the early years, added some used leather Hondaline bags, Corbin seats, then Ultimate seats, Cobra chrome, Two Bros pipes, cab, cruise control, Supertank, custom paint and the list goes on. But, when you stop riding them boy can they go down hill fast! I have no desire to sell the bike or part it out even though the idea has passed through my mind in the past. I have a long time friend who bought a Valkyrie 3 months before I got mine, at my urging really, who has moved on to other bikes, and sadly now may never be back on a bike due to a stroke. But at one point in time he was chiding me to sell my Valkyrie to him. He was somewhat serious but he is not a mechanic or even mechanically inclined. I offered to practically give him the bike and he came back with,” whatcha think it will cost to get it back up and on the road?” That was the end of his asking about buying the Valkyrie.

I keep telling myself I will start working on it again myself, but more and more I’m beginning to realize it probably won’t happen. That’s why I have a Wing now. It’s also why I have a Corvette and an unfinished Chevelle in my mothers garage 80 miles away. A man just has to realize and accept his limitations.

[Jess from VA]

I have two Interstates.  One has some electrical problems.  I'm no mechanic, and wiring is absolutely my worst skill.  The bike is immaculate, but the harness was a filthy mess.  I finally got a relay fixed (the worst part), but it will only run brights, no dims.  It worries me to ride it and get stranded, though I've ridden it several times with no problem.  Running full time brights on a bike is OK (in daylight, I don't ever ride at night).  

So I've been on the other bike for nearly two years now (instead of swapping back and forth), and it's perfect.  I've been thinking of selling the other one (for cheap) to be done with the headache (and second expense of tax, ins, plates), and I only really need one anyway.  And it sure would be easier with only one in my 10 X 12 shed than two jammed in there.  

I've fired up the second one occasionally and it runs fine.  It's a permanent supervalk with no trunk or back seat, and I always liked it better than the trunk bike.  I'm conflicted about it.

[Oss]

I am going to Americade just before heading to Inzane so I can test ride the new Wing and the tour model of the 1100 dct (and maybe some others)   But not selling my Valkyrie
It doesnt a lot of miles on it compared to many

These Valks aint gettin any younger and neither are we 

[DIGGER]

Manoman....you guys are scaring me.....Valkyries breaking down????    Never heard of a Valkyrie having to be towed....just saying.    My Tourer still runs great, 130,000 plus miles, and I am considering a May run with some Harley friends frooom Houston to California to see the redwood trees.  When I take a trip I hook my motorcycle trailer up to my truck and park it in the driveway facing out in case the wife has to come get me.  In 130,000 plus miles I have never towed my Valkyrie due to break downs.  Im afraid you guys have messed up my mojo.....now I will be paranoid on a trip....ha

[Challenger]

I guess I never really worried about my Valk breaking down on the road. My pretrip inspections are thorough enough apparently.  My 158,000 mile Std has only failed to start once and that was in the garage due to a bad battery. My 99 I/S has never let me down. I have however been on rides with guys on  (another brand) and the electronics went haywire interrupting our weekend. Crap is going to happen, I've  just decided it isn't worth worrying about until it does and then deal with it. I'm old enough to not need the latest and greatest, and enjoy the simple things. I very seldom even turn the radio on. Man I love my VALKS

[Rams]

Nope, not going to happen at my house.   I have no idea who will get them after my demise but they will be ready to roll (assuming I’m not bed ridden for a long time frame prior to that event).

Rams

[Hook#3287]

Manoman....you guys are scaring me.....Valkyries breaking down????    Never heard of a Valkyrie having to be towed....just saying.    My Tourer still runs great, 130,000 plus miles,

I am not familiar with any Valk being towed, although I do remember a story of a Valk towing a 1 ton truck a couple decades ago. 

I have 4 Valks and except for the Bobber, I'd hop on any and head to the left coast.

But, most likely, I'd get on the DCT instead.

[Oss]

I had go get towed in Connecticut at about 27000 on the odometer when the 1st alternator died
Since I had the honda warranty that was free  to replace and my AAA paid for the tow

Also on the way to Spearfish when road debris shattered my rear tire
as the size of the hole was larger than 2 plugs could hold

AAA paid for that tow as well, but not for the rental car to get  from Desmoines to Spearfish and back
to the Honda shop

After that I carried spare parts and also a small battery charger and at around 110000 miles or so when the next alternator went, since I have a voltmeter in the fog light line I stopped at a gas station, charged the battery for a couple of hours, disconnected the fuse for lights and radio and made it home the last miles

Unfortunately we broke the tabs off the center cover trying to get that damn alternator out and earlier this fall the left cover fell off after hitting a good pothole and dissapeared    Never was able to find it

Any bike can break down, just try to be prepared

[Hook#3287]

Ha Evan, didn't you run over a squirrel and pop a tire?

[Serk]

Just for the record, my Valk has come home (Or to the shop) other than under her own power a few times...

-Disintegrated 2nd gear (Early failed rivets in the clutch problem. I MIGHT have nursed it home stuck in one gear, it's been almost 25 years so details are a bit fuzzy.)
-Failed u-joint
-Failed alternator

(All 3 times were still under the Honda warranty)

Other issues I've managed to limp 'em home or to a shop. Two failed OEM valve stems, 2 other failed alternators (On my other Valks), put the tank on wrong and missed the vacuum hose, sure there are a few others....

[Fazer]

I too have acquired a Goldwing for loooong rides, but still ride my '98 Tourer around town and on shorter day trips.  Have not had any issues with the Valk, but the Wing has been in the shop twice since I have owned it (3 years).

I have lots of extra Valk parts including drive shaft, pinion cup, U joint and boot, clocked GW alternator.  Had Bob Attic Rat Smith do his magic several years ago.  Goldwings are a dime a dozen, but the Valk has real PANACHE!

[GiG]

Yes! For Sure!

If the old Valkyrie has old tires they may have dry rot!
Definitely re-tire it 

[Oss]

That was just a silly rumor by Old2soon who got me a stuffed squirrel at the IZ

I had gotten one of those stuffed critters for Dan Meyer's black Valk years back in honor of his short story

Maybe he can repost it as it was too funny

[Hook#3287]

Just for the record, my Valk has come home (Or to the shop) other than under her own power a few times...

-Disintegrated 2nd gear (Early failed rivets in the clutch problem. I MIGHT have nursed it home stuck in one gear, it's been almost 25 years so details are a bit fuzzy.)
-Failed u-joint
-Failed alternator

(All 3 times were still under the Honda warranty)

Other issues I've managed to limp 'em home or to a shop. Two failed OEM valve stems, 2 other failed alternators (On my other Valks), put the tank on wrong and missed the vacuum hose, sure there are a few others....

I experienced both a rivet and alternator failure but was able to get her home both times.

The clutch issue didn't completely stop forward progress and l limped home.

Lucky, when the alternator quit up in VT, I was with Craig (Newvalker) and we switched batteries a couple times to make it.

I think I still owe him a battery cause his died soon after.

OSS, I remember the squirrel story but didn't realize it was a joke.

[Serk]

I had gotten one of those stuffed critters for Dan Meyer's black Valk years back in honor of his short story

Maybe he can repost it as it was too funny

https://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/29/neighborhoodHazardorWhyTheCopsWontPatrolBriceStreet.html

[Challenger]

(Serk) that squirrel story was just as funny when I read it today as it was when I first read it over 15 years ago.