Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

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desertrefugee
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#31

Post by desertrefugee »

Depends on how you define picky. The Valkyrie is known to be jetted lean from the factory. Change to more open pipes and it will run leaner. Shimming the needles can help. But, the Valk is also somewhat forgiving of a lean mixture as the watercooled engine adds a bit of a safety factor.

Bottom line: You won't hurt it, but performance can certainly suffer if you're off too far.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#32

Post by Ohio »

finally registered for THIS thread. Which is odd, cause I've visited since I owned my GL1200 back in 2012, but sold it instead of nakeding it.

oh...i got ideas about the Valk
my current fatSally is a 98
it was a tourer, removed the shield, bags, pass seat, strpping it down to tastefully make a bobber out of it.
so far, I've owned...sheesh..no idea...a dozen or more bikes? the only one I've loved is the Valk. Bought it in 2015 and its still here...bought and sold four since this one. Currently got three hondas, garage..er, house shopping for better space

got a GL1800 so touring is intact, kept the last bobber, VLX600 (its seriously naked) I built, so harsh loud short rides are intact

the current
72588562_539730256802095_2161205943956668416_n.jpg
72588562_539730256802095_2161205943956668416_n.jpg (122.61 KiB) Viewed 187 times
the before
_o.jpg
_o.jpg (128.25 KiB) Viewed 187 times
the hoped for, keeping factory colors, going to reweld tank to flow into seat, lower it, weld rear fender, figure out how to hang fender tastefully etc but I love the factory colors
a8291928f6f5c5e88c53e0e8c1011e91.jpg
a8291928f6f5c5e88c53e0e8c1011e91.jpg (52.34 KiB) Viewed 187 times
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#33

Post by Ohio »

Lucien Harpress wrote:Those Viking pipes DO sound killer. A nice rumble without being overly loud. Not sure if I'm down with sheer visual mass of that muffler, but.... you know. Eh.

In general, how picky are the Valkyries when it comes to changing exhausts? Are they like the 4 cylinder wings (ergo, they don't care), or do they generally require carb adjustments when swapping out pipes? Because in my brain I'm mulling possibilities.

I'd love to put together a 6-into-6 setup, because I REALLY like they way they look. If I can find some universal mufflers with a small enough diameter, I figure I can put together a couple packs of 3, somehow connect them to the six stock headers, and cover up the work with the "flexible" exhaust pipes certain Harleys used (because I kind of like that look).

BUT carbs remain my nemesis, so if this is going to require some extensive re-jetting and needle movements,* I'm okay with scrapping the whole endeavor.
*if i may..its like dating a stripper, this will take more work than something easier, but the end results are absolutely amazing

this would be mine, and frankly i didn't think it would
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrKdNnCTH-s

Learn carbs, get a 4 or 6 manometer and learn it..pain in the butt, however I have yet to have a shop take the time I do, and if you screw with something...like new brand of air cleaner, or add more holes to factory airbox, you can tweak it at home. first, second times the worse, I can now do mine in half an hour.

6 into 6 is sex. period
nothing quite sounds like a valk
as mentioned, they are tooo lean at factory.
you'll want to desmog it asap
mine will lug down to 20mph in 5th, and pull up thru and past whatever speed limit its encountered, even my gl1800 chatters and complains if I try that.
You get to use car parts for it
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#34

Post by wingrider »

desertrefugee wrote:I found a short video clip that I made of my Valkrie right after I had installed the Vikings. Stone cold start up. That’s why I didn’t really tach it up too far. The headers themselves are a work of art, but the sound comes from the 36 inch long glass packs. Great combination. Too bad they are so darn rare.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... hWeUpqM29R
That does sound nice! They are certainly rare, which is a darn shame.

As far as Grumpy, I don’t know that he is doing any better...sad time indeed.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#35

Post by desertrefugee »

Lol. We lured a Valkyrie rider into our web. (Thanks for stopping by). It is an easy motorcycle to love. I ran mine for a while in exactly the config you have above - solo seat with Cobras, (I had a grab bar). That is probably my favorite Valk look. But I went the other direction, from Standard to Tourer as that's what I needed.

The Cobras do sound good (if a bit loudish), but it has been sais many times that you lose power with them even "with" proper jetting. I can say this for sure, When I switched to the Vikings, I was AMAZED at the performance improvement.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#36

Post by wingrider »

I’ll try to load a couple videos of a bike that had the same exhaust mod done to it as mine does. This isn’t my video, nor me. After hearing those Viking pipes, I may consider upgrading....

With silencers in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2vCd6djrnY

Without silencers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKxcb8EZRpY
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#37

Post by Ohio »

@desert, thanks.
I have been searching and intend to find a set of the replaceable baffles that were readily available 20 years ago to soften the sound. I just LOVE that 6x6x6 look, in spite of the extra tricks to make it run right.
I much prefer the sound of the 3x1 like that black and yellow vid.
I pulled the baffles out of mine, and they are more restrictive than some, so it would seem cobra made a few different options back in the 90's
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#38

Post by desertrefugee »

One of the guys from the old Viking outfit tried to get another group build together a few years ago. He had some interest being shown, but apparently not enough to make a go of it. The price of admission was $1500 clams. That might have had something to do with it...

Here's a side shot of mine showing the Viking system:
IMG_4195 - Copy.JPG
IMG_4195 - Copy.JPG (127.92 KiB) Viewed 167 times
And an early configuration while mine was still evolving:
IMG_2798 - Copy.JPG
IMG_2798 - Copy.JPG (129.64 KiB) Viewed 167 times
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#39

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I feel like I've instigated something here.... crossy.gif

(I've been trolling some sites that have the cheap Emgo universal slip-ons for 50 bucks a pair. I could probably swing for better quality, but buying 6 mufflers at once adds up.)
Last edited by Lucien Harpress on Sat Nov 16, 2019 1:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#40

Post by desertrefugee »

Yeah, dont get us Valkyrie people going. Ride one a while and you'll see. Honda got it right. I'm still astonished they killed it off. Twice.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#41

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Oh, did they officially kill off the newer 1800 model? Too bad.

(I mean, it was ugly as sin, but still a shame.)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#42

Post by Ohio »

My problem with the 1800, was mostly it was NOT naked enough, the whole point the Valk was to strip down a wing. I had WING owners (gl1500) that did not recognize the bike
love my wing, love my bobber, but..the valk is just too different not to keep it.
I'd love to see an actual naked 1800, closest i've seen was someone removed a bit more of the plastic crap on a '15 valk...
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#43

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Looking through the Emgo muffler options, the ones I like visually kinda sound like.... junk. I actually really like the sound of the reverse cones, but wouldn't work visually in packs of 3. Ideally something (soundwise) close to my stock CB750 would be fun, but I have to be able to afford it too.

The Harley Sportster stock slip-ons that are so popular? Does anyone have a diameter on those?
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#44

Post by Jonesz »

I have a set that are new take offs from 2001. Can get you a measurement and assume that you want the ID on the muffler inlet?
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Re: Strange Request for Valkyrie Owner(s)

#45

Post by Lucien Harpress »

ID on the inlet, but also the OD on the widest part, if you could.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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