New Lady in the house, aka winter project

[Crackerborn]

I have been looking for a stable mate for the green and cream tourer for the last year. It was a real toss up whether to get another Valkyrie or add a little variety to the existing herd, a '97 Valkyrie Tour and a '67 Norton Commando. I had looked at a '57 BMW R series but decided the price was wrong even for such a classic. Besides, the Large Lady is the only ride I will consider for an extended jaunt toward either coast. Okay, a Valkyrie it is and this time an Interstate. After a few near hits, I stumbled across this gem in Illinois.





She has been bruised and neglected, she only shows 5k on the clock (300 I put on today) but the last PO bought her on an estate sale and the paperwork shows at 19K the LCD display was replaced under warranty. Mustang seats will go, the Cobra six-into-six may go to the tourer to annoy the local populace, no way I am going all day listening to that on extended trips (even though it really has a nice throaty rumble and roar when the wrist slips in that downward direction). A trailer hitch that I doubt I will use and that awful rear light-bar are also on the "to be removed" list. I plan to Super Valk her and clean up the rats nest of wire that are left over from the first PO. While I have her apart a desmog, Dan-Marc, Pingle, Smart Switch, Modulator, lots of new lights and a thorough cleaning and polish are all called for. The Show Chrome crap is peeling apart and corroding and needs to be replaced. B-12 is my friend since the slow jets seem a little.....well.....slow. What do you expect when you buy an eighteen year old Girl that has been sitting as much as this one has? She runs strong once off the slow jets, fluids all look good even though they well all be changed this winter. I'll wear out the Metzlers that are on her (maybe) before she is introduced to the Double Darkside. That may even be before snowfall this year.

So now the Tourer will become the local ride



and the Interstate will get the longer runs. I wonder if the Norton will get lonely with the two Large Ladies as stablemates?

[Valkorado]

  Congrats, she's a beauty!

[F-six]

That's a really nice Interstate! 

That's the way to do it, a Tourer and an Interstate, I can totally relate to that! Have fun!

 

[Hooter]

Great stuff...that rear light bar is, well, an eye catcher. My valk was a neglected bike as well. It took a winter to straighten it out and clean it up.

Not unlike me with where you live you have plenty of winter and time. Congrats on the find.

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

Very nice pick up!

[Hook#3287]

Welcome to the MVRCC.

Multiple Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club

She looks like a beauty.

I'm on my third neglected Valk and the most challenging, but I enjoy the work and the subject.

It's satisfying to bring these awesome bikes back to their glory.

[Sorcerer]

Nice find. If the Norton can get it up, no one will be lonely.

[baldo]

Nice find. If the Norton can get it up, no one will be lonely.

badump bump, tsssh

[cookiedough]

SCORE - congrats.

I find it amazing only 5K miles for an over 16 year old bike to be dumbfounded of any type of cycle.

My 2001 Valk I/S some 7-8 years ago only had about 15K on her before I rescued it as well sitting in a barn not being run apparently much.  I do not ride it tons of miles cross country, but usually at least once per week if weather permits before 4 months sitting under cover in the winter months coming up in about 1 more month.

They are out there, just gotta keep looking.  I was interested in a 2003 Valk standard for 3.5K lower miles as well but is now sold already.  Gotta grab your chance when you can sooner. 

[Willow]

...
I find it amazing only 5K miles for an over 16 year old bike to be dumbfounded of any type of cycle.
... 

24,000. It's still a low mileage Interstate.

[Crackerborn]

Willow is correct, 24k so not even broken in after 17 years. The Tourer now has 64k so I managed to get her out of the break-in mileage this year. She had 26k on her when I got her 3 years ago. I don't seem to be riding as much as I once did.