Made The Decision - Honda Coming Home, EV To Be "Adopted-Out"

[Bill Havins]

What a tough decision!  I decided to buy the Honda Valkyrie.  My EV will be going up for adoption; it will make someone an excellent all-around performer now that it is well-sorted.

I hate to walk away from the Guzzi brand; it is all I have owned since 1979 (with an extended gap in there while I was in practice).  But I am not a "collector" - if I'm not using "it" I want someone else to get the benefit from it.  Heck, I only have one carpenter's hammer.  So, I will do a little detailing on the EV (doesn't need much) and push it to the end of the driveway with a "For Sale" sign on it.

This is going to be difficult.  I really get attached to my machines....  Heavy sigh....

Bill

[Tobit]

Ride what makes you happy.  I struggle with the same thing after almost 30 solid years of Guzzi ownership.  I did sneak an R100RT in for a while but always kept the LeMans.  Even a Cal III Touring and Monza came and went, but the LeMans stayed.  I don't ride it much and think of selling it often, then make the mistake of riding it for an hour or two.  Still, I'm not drawn to it like I once was.

Good luck!

Tobit.

[Bill Havins]

Thanks, Tobit.

[rocker59]

Bill,

How 'bout some details on your bike, with asking price?  I'm sure it won't be sitting long.

[elvisboy77]

Once a Guzzi nut, always a Guzzi nut.  Let us know how you like the Honda once you get some miles on it.

[Bill Havins]

Bill,

How 'bout some details on your bike, with asking price?  I'm sure it won't be sitting long.

Michael,

The "high points" of the bike are these:

1998 EV Black Anthracite (of course, tubeless spoked rims) <32,000 miles
Bike has been lowered (fork tubes raised and new shocks fitted, see below) 7/16" to fit shorter inseam rider (great for 30 to 31" inseam)
Swanee handlebar mount fairing, black with simple silver pinstriping
Givi MonoKey Panniers and Trunk
Keihen Systems Polished Stainless Steel exhaust system (crossover and mufflers)
OEM Mufflers (in a box)
Progressive Suspension Air Shocks (appx. 1 year old) - excellent, excellent, excellent addition!
Modern chrome mirrors (Norge, I think) from MGCycle.
CalVin Seat re-padded & recovered in black 4-way stretch vinyl; seat latch adapted to work perfectly & allow for mounting of air shock Schrader valve under seat (Judy loves the pillion part of the seat)
OEM Seat in Excellent Condition (in a box)
New brake pads all around <1500 miles ago.
New Throttle Position Sensor (two "used ones available)
Throttle Bodies seals replaced with Viton seals last winter; absolutely no leaking of fuel into TPS
Fuel Injectors expertly cleaned last winter (fuel injector house in Houston did the work)
Two extra cleaned and serviced fuel injectors available
Power Commander III USB available - not on bike now (original MAP included - meant for BUB Mufflers).
Rear Brake Proportioning Valve adjusted to fit shorter shocks; nothing damaged in process so can be returned to stock - works like one would expect when loaded and two-up
Original shocks available
Two sets of new extra thick valve covers and oil pan gasket available (from MGCycle)
Headlight bucket & innards replaced with 7" unit from MGCycle so will accept "modern" LED headlight if desired (that was my plan)
Headlight is on separate relays; wired correctly with 15Amp fuse and 12 gauge primary wire.
Cardan joint and carrier bearing replaced last winter.
Other "stuff" and details.

Bike has never been down at speed (to my knowledge).  One area of abrasion on right crash bar (about the size of a quarter).  One chip on front fender paint.  Other normal use paint defects - nothing of importance.

I don't have a price - we all know the value of the above and I'm more than reasonable, but not a sucker (a dope, yes, but not a sucker ).  If someone is interested they can call me at three two five, two zero one two four eight three.  I'll be glad to shoot detailed (macro?) images and email them.

Thanks for asking.

Bill

[brenwin]

So many bikes you can own and not enough time . I hope you let us know what you think of the Honda after you've ridden it for a while . I've always liked them . Is it the newer version ?
Many times I've threatened to sell my Stelvio because of the many aggravating issues I've had with it since new . Alternator failure , clutch groan , possible bearing replacement but after a recent remap and coping with these aggravating problems I'm in love with the bike all over again . I've only been a guzzista since 09 ( newbie ) but have owned 6 of them so far . Seems I'm really hooked for the time being .
Hope you hang around anyway and maybe a good idea to keep the Guzzi for a while just in case !

Steve

[LowRyter]

those Valks are tanks.  Congrats on the ride.

[John A]

I've wanted a Valkyrie for years, I think you made a fine choice. When it comes time for a new ride for me,that's one that I will seriously consider so keep us posted on how it goes!

[Bill Havins]

I am posting my EV on the Swap Meet area of the forum.  Will be up in a minute.  Price is noted there.

Thanks.

Bill

Swap Meet ad is now posted.

[Bill Havins]

The Guzzi and "Batman's Motorcycle."  The windshield and backrest for the Honda are on their way from Honda America.  Then we'll see if it was a good decision.



Bill

[Aaron D.]

I think you made the right choice, Bill. And I understand, my 1996 Spot 1100 is in the swapmeet with your EV.

We still have a Jackal but it belongs to her. And I've been on Guzzis since 1973.

[Cam3512]

That's a great, well sorted EV.  I would keep it until you get that Honda out of your system.  They aren't worth much anyway, and you will regret it. 

Honda, really? 

[lucian]

Congrats on the purchase Bill, I bet that Honda is one smooth running machine. Just curios though if you had considered a 1400 Guzzi? Or any other options for that matter. If so , what tipped the scale towards the Honda?  And nice EV by the way,definitely two different animals. enjoy!      Dave

[rboe]

A buddy has lusted for the Bat Bike for a while now. Last weekend he took some test rides on the new Indians. Now he wants the blacked out Chief. Go figure. 

Share your impressions on the new bike. Looks like I'll be "forced" to ride the CB1100 to the next Guzzi gathering as the Griso is needs roller tappets. Not her strong suit (open road) at least compared to the Guzzi twin.

[shapemaster]

You purchased the NEW Valk.

I prefer the old ones that look like motorcycles.

This new model will run very well and perform like a dream.

Have fun and ride safe.

Buying the six pack exhaust for it?  Vance and Hines is making it again I think.

I'm a Harley rider and at my age don't want loud any longer.  Really not happy that I spent 3k on exhaust
and upgrades on my new Heritage Softail last month and it's still too loud with V & H big shots and quiet baffles too.

Bought a new Guzzi v7 and keeping it quiet.  The Heritage may go up for sale in the Spring and a new Eldorado coming to the stable to take its place.  I'll have more invested in Harley clothing and the like than I do in bikes but that's OK, I can change brands when I want, it's still a free country.  Well not that free but still sort of free.

[Bill Havins]

Dave,

I really, really wanted to buy a California 1400 Touring.  That will be my next purchase if I ever get to buy another scooter.

I chose to go with the Honda for several reasons.  Here's what went into the decision.  In another thread I questioned if I should go with a "popular" motorcycle platform as I continue to develop my motorcycle information display.  Adam (Flangeman) made the point that I may have "missed the boat" with my display, because 2016 motorcycles in Europe will be outfitted with a generic OBD connector.  That will prompt hundreds of individuals to develop apps that will allow for display of ECU data in "real time" on a smartphone or tablet.  It really won't be quite that easy, but his point is well-taken.

After talking about it for a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time, Judy and the kids said they wanted me to "drop everything else" and build my display.  As a family they want to see me get it done.  (I'm the luckiest guy in the world when it comes to wife, kids, and grandkids!)  I already have the patent for the concept ("cognitive mapping").  And a Daimler engineer was really excited about the concept when I presented a paper to an SAE conference.

Here in Abilene the folks at Max's Kawasaki have been very kind to me over the last several years; they are the Japanese bike dealership where I have made "generic" motorcycle gear purchases over the years.  They have been interested in (supportive?) of my work on the display.  The owner of the shop said he would be willing to sell me the Honda at what turned out to be less than his cost if I wanted to use it.  He wanted it off of his floor plan (it had three miles on it when I test rode it).  He said he would get me any accessories I needed at more than reasonable prices.  They are great people.

The Valkyrie has up-to-date Japanese electronics.  And the Goldwing is, as we all know, one of the largest-selling touring platforms out there.  It seemed to me I could do some customization work to the Valkyrie and use it as an appealing-to-some advertisement for my display once it is ready to show.  And it will eventually make a wonderful touring "roadster" for me and Judy.  With the popularity of Goldwings, the interest of the dealer, and the ease of interfacing with the bike's electronics it seemed like a "no-brainer."  Judy said, "Do it!"  Although the kids don't like their grey-haired parents on a motorcycle, they said, "Do it!"  I guess I was the only one who had any doubts.

So, you asked why I chose the Honda over the California 1400; there's what contributed to my decision.  And when I get this project up to speed I may buy a California 1400; the Honda will continue to be used as my project's rolling advertisement.

So why sell the EV?  I want someone to have it and love it.  It doesn't do a motorcycle any good to "sit."  The EV needs to be ridden.  It really likes to go down the road.  I won't have time for it for the next couple of years.  To leave it sitting would be a crime (IMHO).

Bill

[lucian]

Thanks Bill, I get it. I think you made a great choice, that Honda will be a great touring mount for sure. And will be reliable long after a lot of us will be. Hope you find a nice home for the EV, but it must feel like your giving up a kidney. all the best going forward.     dave

[ohiorider]

I'm seriously considering a 'Big Red' for my next bike.  After looking over some leftover 2014 CB1100s, I'm thinking one of them might make a really nice 'jump on and ride' machine.  Not a lot of sex appeal, maybe not much soul as we Guzzi riders describe soul, but just a rock solid daily rider.  As one of the WG forum members who already owns one said, 'you'll still have the 1200 Sport for when you want to feel crazy!'

I'm thinking it's going to happen.

BTW - congrats on your Valkyrie.

Bob