My Valk is officially now a senior citizen...

[Serk]

My Valk is officially now a senior citizen...

I think she's held up all these years a lot better than I have!

A few days after I brought her home:



And earlier today:



With her new "Senior citizen" license plate that came today.....

[hubcapsc]

You can tell it is an antique because it comes from the time before
they invented motorcycle tires 

-Mike

[cookiedough]

I have 20+ year old matching BLUE WI plates on my same color 1998 Valk tourer as yours, matches well.

Also, have same 20+ year old blue WI plates on my kids 1997 Honda 750cc black magna which is 3 years older than he is only age 22. 

Tempted to get antique same blue plates on my black 2001 Honda Valkyrie I/S since it really saves money in the long run not having to renew with a sticker every year. 

[Jess from VA]

Great bike. 

But methinks a new shield might be in order.

Transparent works better than translucent.   

BTW, were you even 30 in that pic? 

[scooperhsd]

In Kansas, a Vehicle must be 35 years old to be considered "Antique". I'm not sure if I'll even make that - mine just made 26 years this year.

[Jason and Amber (Ga)]

Serk, I think she has cataracts man! Can you see thru that windshield at all???

[Foozle]

Serk:

Q:  Any driving restrictions associated with the Texas antique (vintage) tags - at least ones that are routinely enforced?  Or is it merely a reduced licensing fee for "older" vehicles?

Terry

[Oss]

in nys must be 25 yrs and not used for daily transportation
also need special "historical coverage"
I think it is 85 bux for the plates
Still it would be fun riding cross country with them or my weekly ride across the TZ bridge

[f6john]

One more year to go on mine. I was just thinking, it’s been so long since mine was on the road, last licensed in 2014, that the state has stopped sending me annual tax bills and plate renewals! For many years I have had vehicles that were in my possession but not licensed however the state always wanted their cut.

[cookiedough]

In Kansas, a Vehicle must be 35 years old to be considered "Antique". I'm not sure if I'll even make that - mine just made 26 years this year.

sorry,  I did not mean antique plates, meant collector plates have to be 20 years old cycle in WI

[Serk]

You can tell it is an antique because it comes from the time before
they invented motorcycle tires 

Heh, quite the contrary, it took years for us to evolve to the point beyond needing MC specific tires since it came around! 

I have 20+ year old matching BLUE WI plates on my same color 1998 Valk tourer as yours, matches well.

Nice! I've always been partial to the blue and ivory, and that has nothing to do with having had one as my first and forever Valk...

But methinks a new shield might be in order.

Transparent works better than translucent.   

BTW, were you even 30 in that pic? 

While the shield could definitely use a good cleaning, the sun was behind the bike in the initial pic, it's not THAT bad, although I do mostly look over it, not through it:



...and I'd just turned 29, by a few weeks, in that picture.... And I'm in my 50's now...

In Kansas, a Vehicle must be 35 years old to be considered "Antique". I'm not sure if I'll even make that - mine just made 26 years this year.

25 in The Republic...

Q:  Any driving restrictions associated with the Texas antique (vintage) tags - at least ones that are routinely enforced?  Or is it merely a reduced licensing fee for "older" vehicles?

The exact verbiage from the State of Texas:

"I certify I am the owner of the above-described vehicle, and as statutorily required, I also certify the frame, body, and motor are at least 25 years old; the vehicle is a collector’s item that will be used solely for exhibition, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest; it is not a replica or aftermarket vehicle; will not be used for daily transportation except when routine maintenance is needed; and will not carry advertising"

In exchange instead of creeping near $100/year registration plus the hassle of needing to get it inspected every year, the inspections are no longer required, and registration is $50 for five years.

I don't use the bike to commute, no interest in carrying advertising on it, and in my ever so humble opinion, every place a Valkyrie parks becomes an exhibition, so...

[Jess from VA]

To use antique (or collector) plates, one need only to have a standby story ready in case you are pulled over and asked.

Officer, I'm having some fuel flow issues and I'm taking it over to my shop in X (or my Uncle in another town who is a Honda expert), to have it looked at.  

You have your story ready, rather than having to make it up on the spot.  (IF EVER ASKED)

BTW, I had a shield like yours that was mostly clear when clean, but it got so that if the sun hit it just right (riding into the sun), it could not be seen through at all, with lots of spiderwebs in it (OE polycarbinate).  So I got another shield (Lexan replacement ClearView).

I was 29 in 1982, 15 years before the first Valks were made.  

[Serk]

Mid 60's and sunny, and I'm "only" secondary for oncall today. Serk Jr wants to have a sportsball party, so excuse to have a Valkyrie Exhibition at the local Wal Mart to pick up some odds and ends for his party...

(I actually asked the store manager years ago if it was okay if I parked there, he said as long as I wasn't blocking anything, go for it. Nice bike btw!)



And just for S&G on the way home I pulled over, and took a pic with the camera on the phone directly in line with my eyes.... I.E. this is my view while going down the road... Windshield is fine, and even if it wasn't, I look over it mostly...

[Serk]

Good for all you Texans!  Not many people get the "Antique" tag in North Carolina.   You possibly save on property tax.  30+ years old is valued at $500, tops.  Went to register a 1980 Honda 900 as antique.  "Well, Mr. Pluggy, you will pay more and get less".  The lady looked up the value and it was $250.  Might be worth the restrictions if I owned a Rolls-Royce.

That confused me so I did some googling. Ya'll pay property taxes on your vehicles annually??? Here you pay sales tax on the value of a vehicle when ownership changes, but that's it... The value of the Valk doesn't matter until/unless I choose to sell it, then it's an issue for the buyer...

[..]

Yes.  The town and county.  Valkyrie costs me $15 extra per year.  North Carolina is tax friendly if you smoke cigarettes.  Every place is different.

Apart from the NC rip off "inspection" fee of $25 for a bike.

[Serk]

Mid 70's and sunny in February? Took the Valk our for a run around town... Been spoiled by the softness of the Goldwing, forgot just how visceral the Valk is when you grab a hand full of throttle...

She'll still do the ton, very easily!

...I really need to ride this one more often...