Topic: 1998 Honda Valkyrie - future profect???

[Johnie]

A friend wants me to consider this from a motivated seller. The owner just died and they want to move it. Not really crazy of the Valkyrie look. 1500cc…I sent him a list of questions. Anyone have any pros or cons on this bike? Looks like a Honda take off look of a HD. Thx

[spotty]

had one for a while, lovely bike to ride, smooth as butter, very torquey and more than enough power for its needs

however, no-one over 6'2" should consider this bike, the rear cylinders are where your feet should be, forcing a hideously uncomfortable bending of the knees, you can't realistically use highway pegs as they will put you in the birthing position due to the width and height of the cylinders. I'm 6'5" so all the above applies but more so

originally i thought it was due to me needing a hip replacement but after that happened it was just as bad

oh, and should you need to replace/repair the clutch hydraulic slave cylinder, book in most of a weekend to do it, especially if someone has fitted the aftermarket centre stand

[Johnie]

Thanks for the tips spot. Helps a lot. Like I said I am not real fond of the look of the bike. Great clutch info too.

[Stev-o]

  I am not real fond of the look of the bike.

+1... I'd pass.

[Mikey G.]

It's a bit heavy in the parking lot, and fuel milage isn't the greatest, but apart from that it's the best bike I've ever owned.

It's fast, smooth, and comfortable.  The Goldwing motor is pretty bulletproof, and you'll get tired of riding it long before the bike gets tired of running.

Depending on the price it may be worth picking it up to try it, and flipping it if you don't, but that really depends on how motivated the seller is.  I love mine, but I'm also biased.

[Johnie]

I see some on marketplace between $2500 - $6,000.

[Mikey G.]

I paid $2500 + a two day drive for mine, and I feel like I did good.  I tend to agree with the styling complaints- I'm doing some cosmetic modifications on mine, but I'm going to leave the bones alone.  It's needed nothing so far except tires, oil and gas.  It's nice going down the freeway at 80 and the bike not caring in the slightest.

(The clutch slave is a pain because you need to remove the side stand to take it out.  That said, the whole bracket is only two bolts, so assuming you don't have the (rare) aftermarket center stand, it's not bad.  And it's not like it's something that's known for going bad.)

Another thing to think of- a lot of the aftermarket chrome bits fetch good money these days.  That light bar alone is a Cobra, and would fetch $600, easy.  The other little chrome add-ons might get you close to $75-$100 each.  I had a bunch of that stuff on mine and made a third of what I paid for the bike back.

[Johnie]

Mikey I am not familiar with the "clutch slave" and why would you take it out?

[grcamna2]

The picture on the first post makes it look like it just 'appeared out of thin air' with the smoke 

[Mikey G.]

Mikey I am not familiar with the "clutch slave" and why would you take it out?

The Valkyrie has a hydraulic clutch, so there's a slave cylinder on the bottom rear of the engine.  If the seals start to leak, it's three bolts to pull it off the engine and replace the seals.  Problem is, one of the bolts hits the side stand bracket, so that has to come off first.  I had to do mine a couple weeks ago.  Annoying, but I've had worse jobs.

On the plus side, the bleeder is on the end of a tube that run up to the top of the engine, so bleeding the clutch afterward is real easy.

[Johnie]

Thx for the explanation Mike. Have not heard back from the friend yet. He's going back to the house after the funeral in a week or so and will get more info then.

[Don R]

 A friend had close to 500,000 miles on his the last time I saw him. He did need to replace the drive shaft and coupler when the splines wore out. He blamed it on a lack of maintenance on his part. He owns a bike shop.

[BenelliSEI]

Johnie…. I’ve ridden one for an afternoon, and it was huge fun. So ugly, it was sad.That one looks very complete and lots of people love them. What’s the mileage?

[toomanybikes]

Having owned multiple naked GL1100's over the years, I also had my eye on a Valk and pulled the trigger on a non-runner, but relatively clean project bike for $2350. After getting it roadworthy and going for multiple rides, I decided I liked the GL1100 over the Valk, and sold the Valk for $3300, about what I had into it including the basic needs (tire battery, etc.) and some cosmetic upgrades. Pic of mine is below.

The one in your pic is a tourer model, a good middle ground with luggage and windscreen, but not so bulky as the Interstate. I had one person who wanted to buy my luggage and screen for $800 How much are they asking and what is the mileage? Also, how much do you like projects and/or flipping bike?

here's my summary

Plusses
Super smooth engine once it's sorted
I liked the look, just enough chrome.
The engines do seem to last forever when reasonably maintained.


Negatives
If the carbs need work, there are 6 to worry about. Mine came ready to go.
I'm 6'3" and the low seat position made my right hip (a weakness of mine) too tight.
It's heavy to move around the garage. OK once underway.
As with many bikes, many owners love them and therefore overvalue them when selling.

[Johnie]

Johnie…. I’ve ridden one for an afternoon, and it was huge fun. So ugly, it was sad.That one looks very complete and lots of people love them. What’s the mileage?

John...he has not got back to me yet. I think they are working on the funeral right now.

[toomanybikes]

BTW, if you get it, rule #1 for Goldwings and Valkyries is unless you are 100% confident the timing belts have been changed recently, change the belts. These are interference engines and a snapped belt will cause damage.

On the plus side, it's easier to change the belts on the Valk than  it is on the old Goldwings. The cover can be easily removed without taking off the radiator and the 6 cylinders mean there's fewer spots where the force of a cam can rotate the unrestrained camshaft out of the correct timing position.

[Johnie]

BTW, if you get it, rule #1 for Goldwings and Valkyries is unless you are 100% confident the timing belts have been changed recently, change the belts. These are interference engines and a snapped belt will cause damage.

On the plus side, it's easier to change the belts on the Valk than  it is on the old Goldwings. The cover can be easily removed without taking off the radiator and the 6 cylinders mean there's fewer spots where the force of a cam can rotate the unrestrained camshaft out of the correct timing position.

I just did the timing belt on myt 76 GL1000 and you are correct there is a lot to get to it. I appreciate the message.