New to me 2000 Valkyrie Standard

[Toothless]

Hi, I bought a Valkyrie a few weeks ago, and figured it was time to say hello. Its my first cruiser type bike since the 80's (I have a few VFRs). I was actually leaning towards the new Valkyrie 1800, and wasn't familiar with the original 1500s. Luckily a dealer I was visiting had both, and I really took a liking to the old style (it was a tough call). His 1500 was beat up, so I started looking for others, and was amazed to find one 15 miles away from me in NJ.  One owner, 957 original miles, kept in a climate controlled garage for 19 years! It still has the chalk mark on the rear tire from the factory! 

It hadn't been started in several years, but all it needed was a tank flush, carb clean and a new battery and it fired right up! I've changed the fluids and belts, and I'm currently looking into tires.  I'll get the rear serviced with the new tires.

I've narrowed my tire choices down to Avon Cobra Chromes, or Metzler Marathons. I'm also looking into gauges (oil press, temp, and volts).

Very happy with the bike far, and thrilled to find such an active and passionate community (found the Facebook group first, who directed  me here!)

as soon as I figure out how, I'll upload a couple pics.

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome to the club.  Sounds like you know your way around a bike.  I would say from reading your post don't "get the rear end serviced"  You can never trust a dealership to do it right.  Learn how, plenty of help in here.  Then you know its good 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Congratulations ! 957 miles ?  

[..]

Hi, I bought a Valkyrie a few weeks ago, and figured it was time to say hello. Its my first cruiser type bike since the 80's (I have a few VFRs). I was actually leaning towards the new Valkyrie 1800, and wasn't familiar with the original 1500s. Luckily a dealer I was visiting had both, and I really took a liking to the old style (it was a tough call). His 1500 was beat up, so I started looking for others, and was amazed to find one 15 miles away from me in NJ.  One owner, 957 original miles, kept in a climate controlled garage for 19 years! It still has the chalk mark on the rear tire from the factory! 

It hadn't been started in several years, but all it needed was a tank flush, carb clean and a new battery and it fired right up! I've changed the fluids and belts, and I'm currently looking into tires.  I'll get the rear serviced with the new tires.

I've narrowed my tire choices down to Avon Cobra Chromes, or Metzler Marathons. I'm also looking into gauges (oil press, temp, and volts).

Very happy with the bike far, and thrilled to find such an active and passionate community (found the Facebook group first, who directed  me here!)

as soon as I figure out how, I'll upload a couple pics.

https://postimages.org/
Create an account using SIGN UP box top right
Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do max of 4 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

[scooperhsd]

I bought my '98 Standard with Metzler Marathons (19K miles), and I've replaced one or 2 sets as well - also with Metzler Marathons.

SInce you've been riding  awhile, and probably been on other bike forums, you know that tires brings out the same thing as "what oil should I use" discussions. One thing that sounds interesting is using a car tire as your rear tire. I'm sure you will get plenty of comments, so hang around and listen to everybody's opinions and make up your own mind.

Welcome.

[sandy]

My vote is for the Avons. Had many sets in the past 16 years.

[Toothless]

Welcome to the club.  Sounds like you know your way around a bike.  I would say from reading your post don't "get the rear end serviced"  You can never trust a dealership to do it right.  Learn how, plenty of help in here.  Then you know its good 

Thanks ChrisJ. You are 100% right. I may as well pull the wheels myself, and buy the seals and oil. I have the manual, but I'll look in the tech section for a member tutorial.

[Toothless]

Congratulations ! 957 miles ?  

yeah. crazy right? the guy bought it new when he was 20, and was "afraid of it", so he rarely road it. Then it sat in his home, because he liked the look of it and didnt want to part with it.  its immaculate. Thanks for the welcome Meathead!

[Toothless]

Hi, I bought a Valkyrie a few weeks ago, and figured it was time to say hello. Its my first cruiser type bike since the 80's (I have a few VFRs). I was actually leaning towards the new Valkyrie 1800, and wasn't familiar with the original 1500s. Luckily a dealer I was visiting had both, and I really took a liking to the old style (it was a tough call). His 1500 was beat up, so I started looking for others, and was amazed to find one 15 miles away from me in NJ.  One owner, 957 original miles, kept in a climate controlled garage for 19 years! It still has the chalk mark on the rear tire from the factory! 

It hadn't been started in several years, but all it needed was a tank flush, carb clean and a new battery and it fired right up! I've changed the fluids and belts, and I'm currently looking into tires.  I'll get the rear serviced with the new tires.

I've narrowed my tire choices down to Avon Cobra Chromes, or Metzler Marathons. I'm also looking into gauges (oil press, temp, and volts).

Very happy with the bike far, and thrilled to find such an active and passionate community (found the Facebook group first, who directed  me here!)

as soon as I figure out how, I'll upload a couple pics.

https://postimages.org/
Create an account using SIGN UP box top right
Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do max of 4 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

Thanks Britman. I'll give it a try.

[Toothless]

I bought my '98 Standard with Metzler Marathons (19K miles), and I've replaced one or 2 sets as well - also with Metzler Marathons.

SInce you've been riding  awhile, and probably been on other bike forums, you know that tires brings out the same thing as "what oil should I use" discussions. One thing that sounds interesting is using a car tire as your rear tire. I'm sure you will get plenty of comments, so hang around and listen to everybody's opinions and make up your own mind.

Welcome.

Thanks Scopp... I promise I'll try not to ask about oil, tires, or the darkside   

[Toothless]

My vote is for the Avons. Had many sets in the past 16 years.

thanks Sandy!

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome to the club.  Sounds like you know your way around a bike.  I would say from reading your post don't "get the rear end serviced"  You can never trust a dealership to do it right.  Learn how, plenty of help in here.  Then you know its good 

Thanks ChrisJ. You are 100% right. I may as well pull the wheels myself, and buy the seals and oil. I have the manual, but I'll look in the tech section for a member tutorial.

Good. As a Matter of Fact I posted a PowerPoint slide show on rear end service. It’s in shoptalk. Some say it helped them get used to the specific order the assembly is required to be done. Good luck

[Toothless]

Welcome to the club.  Sounds like you know your way around a bike.  I would say from reading your post don't "get the rear end serviced"  You can never trust a dealership to do it right.  Learn how, plenty of help in here.  Then you know its good 

Thanks ChrisJ. You are 100% right. I may as well pull the wheels myself, and buy the seals and oil. I have the manual, but I'll look in the tech section for a member tutorial.

Good. As a Matter of Fact I posted a PowerPoint slide show on rear end service. It’s in shoptalk. Some say it helped them get used to the specific order the assembly is required to be done. Good luck

Awesome! I'll definitely check it out.  Thanks again 

[sandy]

Check this link and click on "links". I think there is a link for wheel R&R.

https://www.valkyrieworld.com/

CORRECTION; IT'S UNDER THE LINK "DOCS".

[larue]

From Florida Congratulation on the score of the decade, welcome to this great group, you'll fit right in.

[old2soon]

        And da Man from Joisee SCORES!  Did I mention You Sir SCORED?  Welcome to our sandbox.  Sounds like you Iz headed in the right direction. Did I mention You SCORED?  RIDE SAFE.

[JimC]

Welcome.

And I thought I did good. I looked for a year to find a low mile interstate, I eventually did find a 1999 with 6,700 miles.

950 miles? that is almost criminal.

You will have to keep an eye on the board and join up with some of us on Oss's Columbus weekend ride in New York.

Jim

[Pappy!]

Way to go and a welcome from Hotter than Hell Central Florida!
You definitely scored on that buy!
Will also agree with doing the rear service yourself. Almost guarantee a service facility will do it incorrectly and you will suffer a failure and it will leave a bad taste in your mouth for the Valkyrie.
Do it yourself, not difficult and there are many many posts on it in here. Just ask and you will receive all the information you need.

[mhallock]

Congratulations on your (new to you) ride....where in NJ are you?

Mark

[Toothless]

Check this link and click on "links". I think there is a link for wheel R&R.

https://www.valkyrieworld.com/

CORRECTION; IT'S UNDER THE LINK "DOCS".

Thanks again Sandy!

[Toothless]

From Florida Congratulation on the score of the decade, welcome to this great group, you'll fit right in.

Thanks Larue!

[Toothless]

        And da Man from Joisee SCORES!  Did I mention You Sir SCORED?  Welcome to our sandbox.  Sounds like you Iz headed in the right direction. Did I mention You SCORED?  RIDE SAFE.

but.. seriously,  do you really think I scored?   

Haha. Thanks O2S

[Toothless]

Welcome.

And I thought I did good. I looked for a year to find a low mile interstate, I eventually did find a 1999 with 6,700 miles.

950 miles? that is almost criminal.

You will have to keep an eye on the board and join up with some of us on Oss's Columbus weekend ride in New York.

Jim

Thanks Jim. I was truly blessed. Its only the 2nd 1500 that I looked at. Couldn't pass it up. 

and where can I find info on this ride in NY?

[Toothless]

Way to go and a welcome from Hotter than Hell Central Florida!
You definitely scored on that buy!
Will also agree with doing the rear service yourself. Almost guarantee a service facility will do it incorrectly and you will suffer a failure and it will leave a bad taste in your mouth for the Valkyrie.
Do it yourself, not difficult and there are many many posts on it in here. Just ask and you will receive all the information you need.

Thanks Pappy! I'll definitely give it a go myself.

and sometimes it gets to hot to ride here in NJ. Could not imagine riding in the summer down south. cudos!

[Toothless]

Congratulations on your (new to you) ride....where in NJ are you?

Mark

Thanks Mark.  I'm in Edison. I've only been riding locally due to the 20 year old tires.    ...but once I get the new rubber, I plan on cruising Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex! Beautiful area you're in

[Toothless]

Thanks to Britman for the photo tutorial... here are a few as promised. Love this bike!

Home with the family (I have a thing for VFR/Interceptors    )
polished pumpkin
first ride to a local lake
Odometer the day she came home
factory chalk still on the tire

[old2soon]

         When you git the new round black rubber thingys installed 86 those factory valve stems and go with the metal valve stems. The 90 degree ones. Friends don't let friends ride factory valve stems here bouts.  RIDE SAFE.