Valk Build/Mod Thread: Closer And Closer

Area for discussion of the Honda Valkyrie

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Lucien Harpress
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Valk Build/Mod Thread: Closer And Closer

#1

Post by Lucien Harpress »

(drum roll).....I....

DROVE 6 HOURS! And still aren't home yet, because I'm currently relaxing in a hotel in Maryland.

O why, you may ask?

Just this little ol' thing.

($2500 wasn't too steep for this, was it?)
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Last edited by Lucien Harpress on Sat Jul 30, 2022 2:00 pm, edited 8 times 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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dontwantapickle
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#2

Post by dontwantapickle »

Every since I have started thinking about selling mine,
I have noticed that they have been coming down in price.
$2500. is a pretty good price for such a dependable motorcycle.
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Track T 2411
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#3

Post by Track T 2411 »

Congrats! I hope you get to ride it a bit before tucking it in for the winter...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#4

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Normally I'd rip the fairing off first thing, but I may leave it on until the weather warms up a bit. I've got plans for this beast, but I want to live with it a bit first- most of what I want to change is cosmetic, but not all, and I don't want to ruin a good ride if I can help it.

Stock exhaust, but a PO may have drilled it a bit- it's got a bit of rumble, but too early to tell if it's too much. I don't think so.

It's going to have a full once-over once I get it home, and those chrome sidecovers are swapping to black as SOON as possible, but it appears to be is really great shape. And if you subtract the money I got from selling my 1200, I only paid 600 bucks.

Yeah, I'll take it.
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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5speed
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#5

Post by 5speed »

nice score...
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#6

Post by ericheath »

I haven’t seen a price like that. Definitely a good deal.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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desertrefugee
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#7

Post by desertrefugee »

Good grief. I’d make a long drive to for a price like that on an interstate. I’ve had my Valkyrie for six years, and I cannot believe how much the prices have dropped in that six years. That is a lot of Motorcycle for the money, Lucien. You will not regret it.

I’ve often said that mine would be the last motorcycle I would ever have, but it is a heavy beast and I may someday have to eat those words. One thing is for sure, I don’t have to worry about the prices that they’re going for since I have no intention of selling it anytime soon.

Congratulations on picking that jewel up. May you have many happy miles with it. For sure it will be one you won’t have to work on very much.

By the way, let me know if and when you want to let those chrome side covers go. Mine came with them and I kind of like them, but I have a pretty good crack in one of mine.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#8

Post by wingrider »

Great job! What model is it truly? You certainly have some IS parts, but some aftermarket as well.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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dontwantapickle
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#9

Post by dontwantapickle »

It looks like a standard model (maybe tourer) with a Memphis Shades batwing fairing.
I don't know for sure who made the trunk, but it is aftermarket and not from an Interstate.
I'm gonna guess it's an XMFT king tour pack.
Last edited by dontwantapickle on Sun Dec 06, 2020 1:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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desertrefugee
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#10

Post by desertrefugee »

Definitely an Interstate tank. A good look at the bags would tell you as well.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#11

Post by Liam »

You have done very well there, looks really good.
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5speed
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#12

Post by 5speed »

there are 2 listed for sale up here.. $5K each..a 99 and an 01
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#13

Post by sgwilly »

Very nice score. That's not the bigger Interstate tank as those have the different badges with the chick (cool looking badges too). That batwing fairing is nice and will make riding faster than 50mph much more enjoyable.

Folks do all kinds of things to the stock exhaust. Bone stock is really quiet even at high rev. That's the way I got mine. I cut the "piggies" off (three internal 5" pipes at the tail end of the exhaust) and that gives it just a slight rumble at high revs. After that, folks will drill straight through the middle of the exhaust, they'll remove baffling. There's no coming back from those modifications. My brothers each have Valks with aftermarket pipes which are quite loud. These engines can sound like Ferraris and it is VERY hard to avoid the urge to leave invisible iron art hanging in the air at every stop light. However, on long rides that throbbing can become tiresome.

Service wise, the vacuum hoses for the exhaust air induction system tend to crack at this age and can introduce backfiring. Lot of folks plug them up with either the "red-eye" kit or just use JB Weld to seal the pipes.

You should look at the final drive next time you put a tire on. If they dry out, they'll begin to wear fast. And don't forget the nylon washer. Tiny part. Big consequences.

Leaking petcock can lead to hydrolock which can lead to cracked gear case.

Getting a relay on the headlight so that amperage doesn't flow through the starter switch is a good idea.

Do NOT track your gas mileage.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#14

Post by desertrefugee »

Really good advice right there. That sure looked like a fat tank, maybe just the photo. I wasn't aware of the different badge...or maybe forgot.

Doing the de-smog to the air induction system noted above does not provide any increase in horsepower as some believe. It simply removes a potential point of failure. I did mine and forgot about it.

Huge +1 on checking your rear drives splines every time that wheel comes off. Liberally lube with molly paste. These things will wear those splines out in a hurry if it dries out.

I don't trust my vacuum petcock and manually shut it off every time I park the motorcycle.

I do occasionally track my gas mileage, but was genuinely happy for you when it appeared you had the interstate tank. Trust me, you would be glad if you had an extra gallon. Standard/Tourer is a shade over 5 gallons. In fact, on trips into the boonies, I actually carry a 1 gallon container that tucks into the far rear curve of a saddlebag. Been spooked a couple of times out here in the wild west. Reserve comes up fast, i.e. ~125 miles if you're lucky, 100 on occassion. At 150ish you're walking.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing (New Bike)

#15

Post by Lucien Harpress »

[Furiously writes down all the advice for the future]

I'm currently about 3 hours from home, so I'll get some better pics tomorrow. I'm fairly certain it started life as either a Standard or Tourer, because the tank does not look that big, and I see no gas gauge. It's a 97, if that helps.

It was the typical, "I got this, but really wanted a Harley" owner. Really nice guy though. There's a couple addons- cheap fairing, tour pack rear bags, air horns, handlebars. I need to go through it, but it doesn't seem too molested. And most of the alterations I'm going to change anyway, so it's all good.

She starts easy and runs smooth, so the important bits are covered.
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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