Looking at a High Mileage Valkyrie.

[Valk-Obsessed]

I'm looking to purchase my first Valk when I get back from deployment in a few months.  I have been perusing Craigslist, Cycletrader and the classifieds on this site. I've seen some potential bargains.  But I have to wonder if an Interstate with 104000 miles, should raise some eyebrows or just an example of Honda reliability?  I realize much comes down to how well the bike has been maintained in it's lifetime.
Aside from timing belts, drive shaft maintenance and of course oil changes, what sort of things should I look at to make sure a higher mileage bike has been well cared for?

I saw an Interstate on Cycle Trader in Texas, that has a Blue/Black color scheme I've not seen elsewhere, and it intrigues me.

[Willow]

Test ride the bike and look it over.  You'll be able to tell. 

As for the timing belts, the book only calls for them to be inspected at 100,000 miles.

U-joint and final drive maintenance and condition are important.  Vacuum hoses may well be rotted and need replacement f not already.  If the alternator has been well serviced or replaced that is a definite plus.

Shocks and shock bushings.

[Pappy!]

Willow covered it well.
Would almost rather buy a bike with that mileage than one with almost no mileage.......as long as it has been maintained. The high mileage bike will probably be running like a sewing machine and need little compared to one that has to be brought back into service.

[Brewer]

The engines in the Valks are not the potential problem unless they have been treated very badly.

The above statements are true. Any used vehicle could hold a surprise but they are fairly manageable on this bike.

I see you are in Bennett CO, several of us are between Pueblo and Fort Collins and even in Elizabeth. If you are looking at one in the area and I am available to go with you I will.

Cheers
Brewer

[Tailgate Tommy]

The engines in the Valks are not the potential problem unless they have been treated very badly.

The above statements are true. Any used vehicle could hold a surprise but they are fairly manageable on this bike.

I see you are in Bennett CO, several of us are between Pueblo and Fort Collins and even in Elizabeth. If you are looking at one in the area and I am available to go with you I will.

Cheers
Brewer

What Brewer said. I'm in Fort Collins and if I can help in any way just PM me.
Tom

[Valk-Obsessed]

Thanks for the tips. 
I won't be back stateside for another few months yet...I'm sure that bike I saw in Texas will be long gone by then...

There are quite a few for sale in Colorado at the moment...any of them from folks on here?

Regards,

Chris

[Rio Wil]

Check these out:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5095071544.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5093553684.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5094110530.html

[jdp]

As far I I can tell most Valkyrie and riders take pride in the bikes so I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much as long as it looks and rides good, and people are right the low mileage bikes can be a problem.

[The emperor has no clothes]

As far I I can tell most Valkyrie and riders take pride in the bikes so I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much as long as it looks and rides good, and people are right the low mileage bikes can be a problem.

I think for the most part you are right. BUT I've seen a few that I would NEVER consider.

[RONNIEB]

Have a 99 standard for sale

[DenverDave]

The engines in the Valks are not the potential problem unless they have been treated very badly.

The above statements are true. Any used vehicle could hold a surprise but they are fairly manageable on this bike.

I see you are in Bennett CO, several of us are between Pueblo and Fort Collins and even in Elizabeth. If you are looking at one in the area and I am available to go with you I will.

Cheers
Brewer

What Brewer said. I'm in Fort Collins and if I can help in any way just PM me.
Tom

Same offer here

I'm just imagining the look on a potential sellers face when 3 or 4 people on valks show up in front of his(or hers) house to help check out the bike he has for sale. 

Dave

[Dark]

Thanks for your service FJR 9
+1 on what Willow has to say.
When I bought my Valk last fall I had been looking for a couple of months. Was back & forth between tourer & IS. I'm really happy I held out for an Interstate.

[cookiedough]

one good thing about a 100K plus Valk,  is the price should be a few grand cheaper in price if not all blinged out.  PLus, you know it lasted 100K, so should go another 100K.

Give it a good test ride and if any issues you feel or hear,  probably pass on it and go onto the next.

I rode a 5K Interstate with 60K miles on it recently at a Honda dealer on consignment asking 5500, but after riding it I knew within the first 3 miles I would not want to buy it besides cosmetic damage,  needing new tires, and the rear brake pedal with right foot did not work at all when pushed down all the way (needed new rear brakes at the mininum) and always stuck in neutral shifting from 1st to 2nd gear all the time on every shift.

Dealer didn't care about all the little thing wrong with it, so wouldn't consider buying it either then on consignment for a guy who bought a newer Goldwing from them. 

[Hooter]

Mine was a low mileage bike when I bought it. The PO had not taken care of it at all. It sat outside and I ended up replacing a bunch of things on the bike. I bought it right so I had room to play. I changed the oil / filter twice within 1500 miles because it just got plain filthy. That finally cleared up, the bike never did smoke and the clutch was fine. Used a bunch of Seafoam and replaced the seat with an Ultimate Solo.
   As of now the bike is nice. It's clean and runs just fine. The guy I used to ride with says I have OCD when it comes to my bikes. His is rolling junk yard and I tell him that is better than NO-CD. I love looking past the crap to see if there is something hidden there that no one else can see. Sometimes the cosmetics blind people and they can't see by them and get a good deal. When winter comes around that is the time for us up here in the north to make things better and / or fix things.