That Poor Valkyrie

From basic novice to the hard core cutomizing. Sharing tips, tricks and knowledge. Feel
free to ask question or give us your "2 cents".

Moderators: sunnbobb, Neil, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

That Poor Valkyrie

#1

Post by sunnbobb »

Part 1 - The Kid

I was standing outside my favorite watering hole, the Rex Bar and Grill, just outside of Mount Vernon, WA., doing my best to enjoy a beautiful sunny day. I was out test riding a 68 Wards Riverside 175 2 stroke. Being the ornery cuss I sometimes fancy myself as, I had taken it to the Rex to mingle among the Harley-centric gathering of bikers usually hanging out there. The local Harley clubs that meet up there generally accept my existence, given I always showed up riding something interesting that wasn't a Harley or Indian, and I wasn't wearing the colors of a rival club.

Hanging out having a smoke, A young'un engaged in conversation with me, let's call him Gil. We talked bikes, as bikers do. Gil had just joined our local bad boys bike club and was proud of his prospect labeled cut. I asked him what sort of bike he was riding that day. He timidly told me he was riding a Valk and thinking about getting a Harley. I told him his Valk would smoke any bike in the parking lot that day and he would regret ever getting rid of it later in life. Telling that to a 21 year old who is caught up in the social aspects of a Harley oriented bike club is like telling my cat not to get up on the counter.

He showed a genuine interest in the little Wards, and I gave him the run down on mixing oil, tickling the carb, and kick starting. Except it wouldn't start. Damn it. In the time honored tradition of bump starting motorcycles everywhere in the world, I asked if he would mind giving me a push. I climbed on the little bike, he pushed, I dropped into 3rd and dropped the clutch. The little monster roared to life, or more appropriately, brap brap brapped to life. In a cloud of smoke, I stood up on the pegs and waved thanks to the kid as I rode off into the countryside, heading back to the shop.
Attachments
20220820_141933.jpg
20220820_141933.jpg (225.08 KiB) Viewed 1510 times
mwpm.jpg
mwpm.jpg (110.04 KiB) Viewed 1510 times
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#2

Post by sunnbobb »

Part 2 - The Text

A month had passed, maybe two, when I got a text from my Buddy, "Doc" Harley. Doc was the oldest member of the aforementioned Bad Boys bike club. The aforementioned club had asked him to join their club. He had accepted, on one condition, he wasn't going to do the "Prospect Crap". He had ridden across deserts, in driving snow storms, and raced Harleys at Bonneville. He was friend with Sonny Barger. All before most of the club members had been born.

Doc asked me if I was interested in a Valk that a member had decided to sell. He said the kid need money and was going to sell his bike. I knew better, but decided to go with the story. I suspected the seller was the kid I had spoken to months ago, and he needed a down payment for a Harley.

I kind of always thought of the Honda Valkyrie as huge and somewhat pretentious, so I wasn't gung ho on following up, but decided for the right price, I could be persuaded to make a purchase. I was in the middle of building a Cafe Racer out of a Wards Riverside 125, and I didn't really feel like stacking up another project while waiting to finish the build.

I told Doc to give the guy my number and have him ring me up. A couple hours later, the phone rang. It was Gil.

Over the years, when I'm on the fence about buying a particular bike, or car, or stereo, I always tossed a super low ball number out to the seller, half hoping they would decline and I could justify that the Karma gods had decided the goods were not in my path. Herein is a little side note to buyers and sellers. I've been doing this a long time. Nobody makes a bunch of money on restoring or customizing a bike, even if you get the thing for free to start with. Knowing this, I always low ball the seller. I'm not trying to take advantage of the seller, I'm just trying to get the cost down so I can live with myself diving headlong into this hobby, spending my retirement savings freely. So here is the deal. So here were the facts in this possible transaction: 1. I know the seller has a woody for a new toy. 2. I knew the seller wasn't super attached to his bike. 3. I knew the bike had not been cared for (information from Doc) 4. The seller called me quickly, which told me he was eager to sell. 5. I knew that $1800 was the most I would spend to buy the bike.

Over the phone, Gil told me that the previous owner had sideswiped a deer, and the bike had been repaired. He also mentioned some other things, that sent up some red flags in my brain. After hearing all this, I told him the most I would be willing to go was $1000. I thought he was going to cry. Sorry kid, life is tough. In the world of used bikes, it's eat or be eaten. "Can you go $1400?" he asked. Thinking about how he had so willingly given me a push in the parking lot a few months back, I decided to go with it. We setup a time to get together the next day.
Attachments
20230112_224851.jpg
20230112_224851.jpg (169.96 KiB) Viewed 1504 times
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#3

Post by pidjones »

2 tone Valk Interstate is, IMHO, the most beautiful mass-produced bike ever. And I don't like chrome!
Last edited by pidjones on Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
eades473
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:57 am
Location: Alton, IL

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#4

Post by eades473 »

Where's the picture of the Valk?
riding the **** out of it!
1977 Naked
2012 Ultra Classic Limited
1999 Valkyrie
1981 Shovelhead springer
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36853
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#5

Post by Whiskerfish »

Love where this is going!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#6

Post by sunnbobb »

Part 3 - The Adoption

It was a typical Northwest rainy day. I had a friend take me to meet the owner of the Valk. Gil had informed me it was parked outside at his buddies place. Gil seemed to think something was wrong with the rear brake and he didn't want to drive it home.

I had already done a drive by scouting trip earlier to look the bike over. It passed the 20 foot through a rain soaked windshield test. It was dirty, wet and looked sad sitting out there on the street in pouring rain. If Gil were in my motorcycle club, he would have worn the nickname "Pig pen".

So we arrived and Gil was there. And he had the bike running. Note to sellers. If someone warms up a bike before you show it to them, something isn't right. We shook hands, and I took a little closer look at the bike. My mind was screaming "take back your offer and re-offer $1200" If it weren't for the fact the kid was cool for pushing my Wards, and truly interested in old bikes, I would have. I asked him about why he had started it, and he stated it could be a little resistant to starting when cold. I felt the choke lever and found it would take the thumb strength of a gorilla to move it. Lucky the lever wasn't broken off under the stress. I also noticed the throttle was super gummy. It had a heinous mural painted on the tank. I think it might be a right of passage for Valkyrie owners to have a Gaudy mural painted on the tank and then cover the bike with poorly chromed accessories. Possibly a carry over from the pinstriping and mural painting days of GL1200s. I've never understood why guys buy Valks and then load them up with touring gear. I personally would rather ride a factory dressed bike made for touring, but that's just me.

After checking out the saddlebags that contained the side covers, and a bunch of small parts, I said "Let's do it." We wrote up the bill of sale and then he signed off on the title. The Valk had been officially adopted and was heading to a new home. My buddy asked if I wanted him to follow me, but I told him, nah, I'm going to wait for a bit, as I can could see a clearing in the clouds coming. Just before he left, Gil handed me a coin and said I'd probably want this. It was a 1999 Valkyrie Commemorative Coin celebrating the 1st MASS Production of the Valkyrie Motorcycle, this coin is very rare because it was given to employees of Honda, USA where the motorcycle was being produced. He said he had found it buried in the tool bag. I wondered if the employee had stashed it there for someone to find some day?

As I sat in the saddle, I talked to her, let it know it was going to be loved and we were going to find out just what it was made of. In the back of my mind, I knew I could part it and double my money, if the condition of the bike warranted it, but I never let the bike hear my thoughts.

The weather cleared, I eased her into gear, and took off, fighting the shifter a bit. (I'll talk about all these issues further down the road in this story.) The first thing I noticed was the handle bars were jacked up, but the levers had not been rotated around to compensate. I had to reach over the grips to reach the controls. I imagine this was part of the trying to fit into the Harley scene by placing the bars into the Ape position. I felt like an ape trying to reach the brake and clutch levers. I discovered the turn signals on a Valk are not self cancelling, as I had turned the right turn signal on and failed to notice it was still on as I was distracted by how uncomfortable the lever positions were. A car pulled out right in front of me, thinking I was going to make a right hand turn. I went to lay on the horn, and was cussing away, when I made another discovery. not only had I failed to cancel the signal, the horn did not work either. I started thinking about how embarrassing it would have been if the horn had worked, as the driver pulling out in front of me was my fault.

It was about a six mile uneventful ride home, and driving the final 3 or so miles I began to appreciate what a smooth and powerful machine these are, even flying as a somewhat wounded bird.
Attachments
20221031_095339.jpg
20221031_095339.jpg (198.13 KiB) Viewed 1449 times
20221031_095350.jpg
20221031_095350.jpg (355.62 KiB) Viewed 1449 times
ugg.jpg
ugg.jpg (89.53 KiB) Viewed 1449 times
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36853
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#7

Post by Whiskerfish »

lolol lolol lolol lolol I like the mural!!

But I will be the first to admit I have no sense of art or style. :oops: :oops:
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
Sagebrush
Run Executive
Run Executive
Posts: 6465
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:35 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/album269/
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#8

Post by Sagebrush »

Nice find, she's overdressed, both the bike and the mural ;)
Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread
User avatar
Brant
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Posts: 10126
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:31 am
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/brant/
Location: Hastings, Nebraska, USA

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#9

Post by Brant »

Whiskerfish wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 9:29 am lolol lolol lolol lolol I like the mural!!

But I will be the first to admit I have no sense of art or style. :oops: :oops:
Uh, I like it, too. :-D
83 GL 1100 bagger Ugly Betty
ALL WE WANT TO DO IS DRINK OUR ESPRESSO, RIDE OUR MACHINES, AND NOT BE HASSLED BY THE MAN
Owning a motorcycle is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that.
"Don't sweat the little things, guys, take care and appreciate all that you have around you!" - Fewman
NGWclub on Facebook
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#10

Post by sunnbobb »

Sagebrush wrote: Sat Jan 28, 2023 9:56 am Nice find, she's overdressed, both the bike and the mural ;)
great minds...
I found the end of the internet

---- Bradshaw Bikes custom polishing for your wing. Visit us on facebook!

1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
DUGG
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 342
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:11 pm
Location: Bellingham wa.

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#11

Post by DUGG »

I’ve ridden through Rexville dozen of times and thought that was a store. I’m going to have to stop in next time I’m through there.
As far as the bike, it’s not too overdressed, and the girl leaves something to the imagination just like the Valk does.
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#12

Post by sunnbobb »

part 3 soon
I found the end of the internet

---- Bradshaw Bikes custom polishing for your wing. Visit us on facebook!

1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4077
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Michigan

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#13

Post by Lucien Harpress »

sunnbobb wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 1:33 am I think it might be a right of passage for Valkyrie owners to have a Gaudy mural painted on the tank and then cover the bike with poorly chromed accessories.
Having owned a Valk for a bit now and perused the Valkyrie owner forums... 100% this.

Thankfully mine was another "I wanted a Harley but I bought a Valk" purchase, and what people are willing to pay for the chrome off it has almost completely reimbursed the cost of the bike. :lol:

(My absolute favorite though has to be the "velocity stacks" that everyone HAS to have that fit... on the tops of the carb slider caps. Like.... what?)
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.
User avatar
NotSoLilCrippseys
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 522
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2020 8:21 am
Location: York County, Maine

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#14

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

That's a Valkyrie on the tank of the Valkyrie.

The story had me thinking there'd be some crazy airbrushed art on the sides of the tank.

Here's a statue of a Valk from 1908.
ValkyrieOnHorse.jpeg
ValkyrieOnHorse.jpeg (231.8 KiB) Viewed 1128 times
And if we really want to get into it, play Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries the next time you put her in gear: https://youtu.be/GGU1P6lBW6Q


I think it's sort of fitting given the bike.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36853
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: That Poor Valkyrie

#15

Post by Whiskerfish »

an iconic piece of music
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing UnderGround CustomiZing”