Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

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Forge
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Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Forge »

I found a deal on a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate 1500. The Valkyrie and Intruder have been my dream bikes and now I have one of each. She only has 10,700 miles on her but had a significant drop about a year and a half ago. The previous owner was cruising on 2001 vintage tires that he thought looked good, but they are rock hard. He lost traction in a turn and she slid at 50 to 60 mph and has significant road rash. The guy broke his pelvis and back in 2 places, but is ok and said he is done with 2 wheel riding.

The Valk has been sitting for a year and a half. Yesterday, I changed the oil and filter, put a battery in her (the original would not take a charge), cranked on her to make sure she made oil pressure, and pulled the fuel tank and used starting fluid to get her to run. The gas in the tank didn't smell bad but I drained it anyway and put a gallon of fresh gas in her and installed a new fuel feed line and an inline filter. We got her to run, but she's very sputtery. I knew the carbs would have to be rebuilt when I got her, but I'm not afraid of carbs, especially after owning an S83!

She sits tall for me, being 5'4" tall with a 29" inseam. I am on the balls of my feet, so I will be lowering her about an inch to an inch and a half. She sounded pretty damn badass initially when started with the starting fluid because of the 6 into 6 aftermarket exhaust and I'm pretty sure she wasn't rejetted judging by the ridiculously purple headers. Luckily I got the stock exhaust with her and that will be going back on since I don't want to rejet and lose mileage. These bikes are already known for 33 mpg, but at least it has a 5.3 gallon tank. I love the forest green and tan color combination, but that road rash... The right side foot peg is broken but I already have one on the way. Also the crash bar is ugly, but it did it's job and saved the engine. She needs work, but what do you think? I only paid $2150 for her and will be doing the carbs and desmog myself. She absolutely needs tires and I will also do the bodywork myself. I will also be doing a popular mod that enables you to remove or replace the trunk assembly in about 5 minutes.

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Designer »

What a BEAUTY! :rock: good for you! :clap:

I too love the colors. And WELL worth what you paid.

The Rash doesn't seem as bad as I thought it might crashing at 50 MPH. Being that a greater percentage of crashes seem to damage the left side, perhaps finding used parts for the right side might be easier.
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by old time rider »

Flat black her and ride a lot! One good friend has one and like me rides motorcycles far more than more than two stuff.His has well over100,000 and runs like new.He has a first year 1800 that he rides in below 45 temps most the time.

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by old time rider »

His is not the tour valk but think same motor.

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Forge »

old time rider wrote:His is not the tour valk but think same motor.
The 1500 Standard, Tourer, and Interstate all have the same motor. All Valkyries have 6 carbs instead of what comes on the Goldwings as well as the Valks have lumpier cams. I believe the Interstate has a slightly larger fuel tank and heavier duty rear shocks to compensate for the hard trunk, bags, and fat bottom girl!
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Marauder03 »

Very nice looking bike, sounds like you got a deal on it. Best of luck with it. Oh and before you change the exhaust please make a sound clip on of what’s on there, I’ve never heard a Valk with aftermarket pipes. Thanks

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by wally w »

Valks seem to hold their value and one bike I always wanted but would like it better if it was 200 lbs lighter. Nice ride.

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Tbeck »

Before you go tearing into carbs do yourself a favor. Pick up some marvel mystery oil at the auto parts store. Dump a half cup into the fuel tank and top the gas off, shake it up well and start the bike up for a good 10 minutes. That will get the MMO into the bowl's. Let it sit for 24-48 hour's so the MMO can do it's thing and then take a long ride and vary throttle input. By the time you run the tank out she should be running better. May take a couple more ride's to work all the guns out, but it beats rebuilding carbs on that bike.

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by MadCow »

:rock: :rock: :rock:
-DBTO

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by DevilsFan »

Great find! Glad you're happy and found the bike that you always wanted!

Can't wait to see you "pretty her up" and I hope you can salvage those colors! They look sharp! [emoji106]
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by MadCow »

DevilsFan wrote:Great find! Glad you're happy and found the bike that you always wanted!

Can't wait to see you "pretty her up" and I hope you can salvage those colors! They look sharp! [emoji106]

Yeah I like that color combo as well...normally I wouldn't...I prefer black bikes.
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by hillsy »

It's a good thing the crash bars and panniers took the impact - otherwise it would have ground into the head and possibly written off the motor.

That should clean up nicely - always wanted a Valk as well :cheers:

Do as T said with the carbs - SeaFoam works also if you cant find MMO. Rebuilding 6 carbs sucks - I've done it a few times on my Z1300 :shock:

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Designer »

Perhaps this should be on the Tech Board,...but, ;IDunno: ...As did hillsy mention Sea Foam,..I have had better results using Sea Foam.

Used it many a time before working on other guys Carbs (and mine, of course), and it has often made noteworthy improvements in the poor running symptoms before tearing into them.

If you can, you might benefit from running Two Treated Tankfulls of Fuel through before disassembly. :bow:
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by HARRIS »

IT'S A WONDERFUL BIKE ! I HAVE A 98 TOURER. THE SMOOTH POWER AND BALANCE IS FANTASTIC.
HERE IS A SITE THAT WILL ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS AND ONES YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU'D ASK


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index. ... 5387ef8019&
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Suzuki Johnny »

What a steal of a bike for someone who can do their own maintenance ...Congrats on the purchase...
I've rode a touring Val and I was really impressed with the ride and needless to say the power...Hope you get many more good miles out of her.. [emoji106]
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Tbeck »

Yah seafoam will work as well, I just always keep a can of MMO around for keeping EVERYTHING in the bike clean. A half cup in a full tank of gas, no jet/float buildup. A 1/4 cup in the motor 100 miles before an oil change and no slipping clutch plates.

But choice is all yours....

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by RoadKing »

I could never pick up a Valkyrie. However, on warm days I am able to pick up the lawn mower.

Serious, tho, that is an intriguing looking machine, my kinda ride. I picture it black and gold. Don’t say this often, but I’d ride it.
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by old time rider »

Unlike the 1500 Wing they need valve adjustments don't they? :putput:

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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Forge »

old time rider wrote:Unlike the 1500 Wing they need valve adjustments don't they? :putput:
Yes, they have solid lifters, so periodic valve adjustments are needed. Thankfully, I believe they are the screw type tappets. These bikes are rated for 100 horsepower and 102 foot pounds of torque as both are measured at the rear wheel. It’s basically the Honda Factory’s hot rodded Goldwing 1500 engine with 6 carbs and lumpier cams, hence the solid lifters.
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Forge
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Re: Picked Up a Valkyrie Interstate

Post by Forge »

My brother took her around the block yesterday. Here’s a clip so you can hear the 6 into 6 pipes. Carburetion is still off.
Ignore the comment about him leaving his Vette running. The second link is him coming back around. He doesn't rev it up as high, but you hear the idle when he pulls up into my driveway.



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