Miss June

[Hook#3287]

Yeah, a bike, not a model

I'd thought I'd write about the bike of mine that was picked to represent June in this years VRCC calendar.  I feel honored to have been chosen, as I'm sure most are.

Don't know if the calendars are a PITA or a $$ maker for the board, but if this starts a tradition and helps the board, good.

I purchased the bike in a E-bay auction.  I put in a bid that I thought was low, not expecting to win, but I did.

She's a 98 CT, born in Sept 97, 1HFSC343WA10100, Green & Black w/19,518 miles when I picked her up.

I decided to make picking her up an adventure and took the ferry out of New Haven, CT. over the Sound to Long Island.  It was fun and I'm glad I did.

She was sold by a guy that didn't treat her very nice.  He would ride around the salt air and put her away wet, under a tarp, next to a garage that was full of crap.

He told he had bought her from a Air Force service man that was located in upstate NY.

He also told me he had run an auction earlier and when the winner showed, he opted out. Humm.   I started the bike, rode down the road enough to know she was solid, loaded her up in my truck and took the ferry back.

The PO told me he didn't think that Valkyries were all that powerful or that they handled that well.  He was right in the respect that HIS wasn't and didn't.  When I got her home, I found jets were clogged, vacuum lines rotting, carbs un-synced, not enough of the original oil in the down tubes, rear shock bushings were toast and in general, lots of the sparkly parts were very dull and hazy, some just rusted.


She sat in my shop for about 6 months before I got the time to work on her. I stripped her down to the motor and frame and fixed, cleaned, or replaced everything I touched.  I de-smogged and put in 38's. New fluids all around. Fork seals, intake o-rings, exhaust gaskets, IS carb springs.  Rear service, valve clearance.  Surprisingly, brakes and tires were good, well except for the nail in the rear tire the PO left for my enjoyment.  I plugged it and ran it for 9K.

I bought a excellent condition set of OEM pipes out of FL, cause hers were bad.  All the other chrome I added is to long to list.  I bought the solo bar from RJ.  He sent it to me w/o waiting for payment, trusting guy he was. 

She's now my double dark side, two up, week end, long trip bike with just over 45K and as the calendar shows, better than new.

All in all, a good experience with a GREAT bike.

[The emperor has no clothes]

She's a beautiful bike.    If they made Interstates in that color that would have been my choice. Love the setting of the calendar pic also. 

[Hook#3287]

She's a beautiful bike.    If they made Interstates in that color that would have been my choice. Love the setting of the calendar pic also. 

Thanks Rob, a very solemn place, Bloody Lane, Antietam.

Beautiful country side, amazing history.

[art]

Sexy

[wiggydotcom]

You did your bike a great service, Hook. Congrats on her being chosen, Miss June!
She's looking perty, indeed!

[Dennis from Blythe]

Very nice 

[Rams]

Excellent write up, cool story and thanks for saving a fat girl from an ugly demise.   

[Pappy!]

I think she knew you were the one and reached out. She needed help and you provided it.
Well done, on the purchase and the restoration! There could not have been a better choice for Miss June!

[Pepmyster]

Looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hooter]

I have the same color...supposed to be "jade and black". I always thought jade to be a bit greener, but maybe not? I have a simular story. Mine came out of a dealership that a buddy of mine ownes. I had sold my red and black about a month before he called me. Selling it was a mistake and I knew it but it was gone. I had told Tom at the dealership if he ever found another one to give me a call.
   About a month later it was him on the phone. We have a Valk here and thought of you first, c'mon down and take a look, so I did. He told me it needed some help. When I got there he said here it is. I was disappointed that someone had treated a bike like this. Dirty, rust and plain neglect. One positive was the paint was OK.
   I told him I wanted to ride it. It was closing time and he said wait till the store is clear of people and I will get it outside for you. That happened and out I went.
   Much to my disappointment the bike ran like it looked. I pulled into an Auto Zone, grabbed some clear tubing and a gas can and drained the tank. Dumped that gas in a guys jeep, walked across the street to the gas station, fresh gas and grabbed a can of Sea Foam. Fresh gas and Sea Foam was the answer after about 30 miles. Ran like a champ.
   I went back to the dealership and Tom asked me what I thought? I told him no bike should ever be treated like this! I then asked what he wanted? He told me and I said no way. I finally bought the bike for $4,000. Rode it home, spent 2 weeks fixin, and will never sell it. Had 32,000 on it when I bought it and looked like it had lived its life outside. Now it lives inside and is taken care of like any bike should be. Specially one of this caliber.

[RDKLL]

I too have that same color. Mine started out as a '98 Tourer that I picked up in June 2004, almost a year to the day that my original, bought brand new, Burgandy and Cream that was tin switched to Red and White was totaled on the BRP.
It had 4500 miles and I picked it up at a dealer in Saginaw MI. In the last year or so it has began a transformation into a bobber and it has been ridden almost everyday since we have moved to Arizona.

[Jack B]

Great color I bought mine jade and black brand new. Lots of people loved that color.
 Unfortunately after 111,000 miles I sold it and it still looked like new.

[baldo]

Beautiful bike.....and I love your shop....

[havoc]

well done sir!

[mike72903]

It's the color combination I fell in love with at first sight.  Had to have it.

[RainMaker]

Great story and restoration.  I keep mine safe and secure inside the garage - love the Valk!

[Hooter]

The only thing I need is black bag tops for the bike. Whoever drilled this for the racks musta done it wrong someway. There are cracks from each hole. I know they are hard to find but maybe some day?

[Jess from VA]

Miss June, 1961.  Remember her well, I was 8.   

Look, it's a blue and silver.

Heidi Becker - Miss June 1961

[Hook#3287]

Thanks for all the great responses

And Jess, thanks for Heidi, wonder where she is now?

[westsidevalk]

That is a great write by a man who lives all his Valks with the same TLC!

[Fsixer]

Looks great! Awesome job.