New Valkyrie owner, thoughts and questions

[aseigler]

Hi everyone, I'm from central Florida, and I've picked up a black 2003 standard with 19k miles, last week after much internal deliberation and debate.  It's spent some time in West Virginia and Tennessee based on the registrations people have left with the manual.  I've always wanted a bike like this but the stars never really aligned until now.  I am not afraid of getting my hands dirty but I've never had to deal with more than 2 carbs, or had the luxury of shaft drive, all hydraulic disc brakes or anything quite this large or heavy before.  It's a bit intimidating.

I've read over as much as I can of the "new bike, wut do" stuff.  Brake/clutch fluids, hoses, tires, brake pads.  The most obvious thing to me is what this bike has been dropped hard at some point on the left side, snapped off the mirror and the flange on the clutch master cylinder that the mirror threads into.  Whoever broke that did not replace it, but instead got aftermarket, smaller mirrors that are way too far inside for my liking.  Got replacements for all that stuff on order already.  Previous owner claims it has new coils, plug wires, plugs, rear brake pads and rebuilt carbs.  "Rebuilt carbs" might mean different things to different people. 

What recommendations or suggestions have yall got?

Thanks,

-aseigler

[wjamesfl]

Hey, I am in Tampa FL. I am a new owner but a few tips I have so far.. It sounds like you plan to do most of your own maintenance. That being the case look around this forum for discussions on lift adapters if you havent yet (both homemade or purchased). Due to the shape of the underside of the bike you may want an adapter to lift it safely without causing damage. Some hoist the entire bike up instead.

Also check out Moto-Resto Machine and Repair on YouTube. Lots of videos working on Valkyries. Helped me learn about them.

[Hook#3287]

Congratulations on your new ride, Valks are awesome bikes.

I wonder why at 19k the coils and wires were replaced, seems suspect.

I've noticed that a lot of problems Valks experience are owner/operator caused, so jump right in

If she's running right and not leaking I'd leave the carbs alone, but I'm pretty much a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" Valk owner.

Swap the fluids, check the tires and brakes and ride her.

[Serk]

In addition to the regular items you listed, do the final drive maintenance. Keeping up with that every 10k miles is critical and one of the Achilles heel's of a Valk if not kept up with.

Also, if it's still got the OEM rubber valve stems get those replaced with metal ones in the comfort of your shop, not 1,200 miles from home on the side of the road.

Howdy and welcome!

[Pluggy]

Every Valkyrie owner has been a first-time owner, too.  I also asked if anything besides maintenance was needed.  The response was mostly gizmo and bling items.  Without all those "mods" my bike has been safe and fun for the past fifteen years. 

Well, I did replace the valve stems at the first tire change.

[aseigler]

The valve stems are metal, and the tires look and feel great, no sign of dry rot whatsoever.  However, the date codes are 5011 and 1711 which ain't good.  I have a feeling this thing sat for a very long time.

[aseigler]

I see you are in Sanford.  We were in Seminole County for 10 years before returning to NC.  There are some aspects of Florida I miss.  But, not Interstate 4.

I-4 got better for a while when more people were working from home.  The express lane expansion is a nightmare. I try to avoid it if I can.

Let me suggest making your first new tires good motorcycle tires.

Already started looking for some!

[Serk]

Guys will say "Put a car tire on the back of that bike".

Put a car tire on the back of that bike. 

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

Hello and Welcome .My suggestion would be to replace the timing belts. this is an interference fit engine. If a timing belt breaks  it will most likely cause at least a couple bent valves . Not that your bike has a lot of miles, just the aging process of rubber. Much less expense to replace the belts than it is to repair the damage that can occur. Visit often and enjoy the rides.

[calcruiser]

i bought my first 2 valks this year, one after the other.  for me the issue with both bikes was the fuel petcock.  replaced one and couldn't believe the difference.  they sell them on ebay for under $20 now, so i bought another one.  wow, what a massive difference again.  especially at low rpms.  best money i've spent on the bikes.  congrats on the valk, best bike ever made.

[aseigler]

i bought my first 2 valks this year, one after the other.  for me the issue with both bikes was the fuel petcock.  replaced one and couldn't believe the difference.  they sell them on ebay for under $20 now, so i bought another one.  wow, what a massive difference again.  especially at low rpms.  best money i've spent on the bikes.  congrats on the valk, best bike ever made.

What were the symptoms that drove you to replace the petcocks?  The bike seems to run "fine" but I don't know what "right" feels like.

So far I've only had the time to flush the coolant and replace the clutch master cylinder.  Got parts for a bunch of other stuff already on the list to do but other things have come up as priorities.

[mbramley]

  Welcome, and congratulations on owning an awesome bike. 19 k is low mileage for sure. I bought mine in 2016 with 19000 and many told me that was low mileage then. It's a Honda, other than some of the basics already mentioned here if she feels good and sounds right ride her like you stole her. I have seen and heard many times that Valks aren't broke in until 100,000 miles. There is a post on this sight somewhere on high mileage Valkyries. DDT just went over 800,000 this year and it's a long list of over 100,000 mile bikes. There is an annual event called Inzane that I recommend you try to attend, a lot of genuinely nice people and most are more than happy to share information and hard earned knowledge. Also doing a search on the forum, there is A LOT of information there.

[carolinarider09]

For some reason, I just now saw this post.  So congratulations on the "new to you" bike. 

Here is the 2003 Valkyrie Standard I purchased in June of 2003.  Picture taken on a trip we (friends and I) made to Oklahoma, in August 2006. 



A picture from January 1st, 2023.



I very glad I made the purchase. 

Hope you enjoy the ride.

[jdp]

I'm far from an expert on these bikes but I've been riding them for around 300 thousand miles and the only real issues I had was the vacuume lines dry rotting , mostly all I've done was oil and tires , best bike ever made as far as I'm concerned, enjoy and if you have any problems this is the best website with the best people

[old2soon]

    My 1st Valkyrie was a 99 Green and Pewter I/S which I recently gave up fer a 12 G/W Trike. But I did manage to put over 100000 miles on the I/S. And YUPPERS yer tires Do merit a change as while they may Look Good they have Aged out!  When the rear end is serviced Replace All 3 O rings use Good Grease and follow the Torquing SEQUENCE when hooking everything back up. Git er all serviced up and new shoes on her then RIDE IT LIKE YA STOLE IT!  And BTW Welcome to Our sand box and the Insanity!  Generally speaking on a road trip you just might maybe be sorta close to a Board Member who May be able to help if you have an issue too far from yer shop. Also BTW most Honda Dealers may NOT Know the Valkyrie is in Fact a Honda. Someone mentioned a lift adapter. You can build one or purchase one from Hordse Apple Ranch in Colorado. I believe he's still a vendor. RIDE SAFE.

[Oss]

congratulations !


Yeah since it is not an interstate you do not know if 16000 or 160000 so think about those rubber parts and the timing belt as  well as the other simple things

When you do the rear end service check on the rubber bushings in the wheel as well

Hope to see you at an Inzane next year

[Hook#3287]

congratulations !


Yeah since it is not an interstate you do not know if 16000 or 160000 so think about those rubber parts and the timing belt as  well as the other simple things

When you do the rear end service check on the rubber bushings in the wheel as well

Hope to see you at an Inzane next year

One way I use to determine if a Standard/Tourer has flipped 100k is to look at the chrome timing belt cover.

If the part that is protected by the coolant pipe is much shinier, then 100k+ is suspect.

[HayHauler]

congratulations !


Yeah since it is not an interstate you do not know if 16000 or 160000 so think about those rubber parts and the timing belt as  well as the other simple things

When you do the rear end service check on the rubber bushings in the wheel as well

Hope to see you at an Inzane next year

One way I use to determine if a Standard/Tourer has flipped 100k is to look at the chrome timing belt cover.

If the part that is protected by the coolant pipe is much shinier, then 100k+ is suspect.

This!!!      

Hay 
Jimmyt