Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
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- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Anybody take pause at that title? No? Well, I thought I'd post this note for a couple of reasons. 1)To show off a little... 2) and to let folks know that Honda never made a 1997 Valkyrie Tourer with the Black/Yellow Bumblebee color combination. It was only offered on the Standard.
So, I had to make one. I'm pretty sure there are only a handful in the world. And I have one!
I bought my '97 way back in 2015. Sold my '84 Aspencade right after buying it. (I kept the black '78). Purchased from a Mesa, AZ police officer, I was shocked to find he had the popular Cobra 6 into 6 pipes on it...with NO BAFFLES! They looked great and I liked them, but the very first thing I bought for this bike was a set of baffles for those pipes.
Here's how it looked the day after I bought it. Maiden voyage if you will. LeatherLyke bags and Tourer windshield came on the bike. For a while, I ran the full naked solo look. But Mama liked riding this bike and I got tired of switching back and forth between solo and rear seat and rack. Besides, this is a road bike and a road bike needs carrying capacity. The next summer, a buddy and I took a trip to Colorado and I grew to hate two things on that trip. The Cobras and the aftermarket LeatherLyke bags. So, I set about seeing what I could do about that. As luck would have it, an older local gentleman was "triking" his Tourer and was selling all the take-off stuff. I made out like a bandit - except for the color. At the same time, I had an opportunity to buy a very desirable set of Viking pipes that would go great with the Tourer bags. While the bags were out for paint, I installed the Vikings. To be honest, neither the guy selling them nor I realized what they were. I just knew I was getting large diameter equal length ceramic coated pipes with 36" glass packs. $150! Used, they go for almost a grand. Like I said, I made out like a bandit. Imagine my surprise when I realized this!
I also put on a Mustang seat and a few farkles, but that's pretty much it. Oh and I've put on right at 30k miles.
So, I had to make one. I'm pretty sure there are only a handful in the world. And I have one!
I bought my '97 way back in 2015. Sold my '84 Aspencade right after buying it. (I kept the black '78). Purchased from a Mesa, AZ police officer, I was shocked to find he had the popular Cobra 6 into 6 pipes on it...with NO BAFFLES! They looked great and I liked them, but the very first thing I bought for this bike was a set of baffles for those pipes.
Here's how it looked the day after I bought it. Maiden voyage if you will. LeatherLyke bags and Tourer windshield came on the bike. For a while, I ran the full naked solo look. But Mama liked riding this bike and I got tired of switching back and forth between solo and rear seat and rack. Besides, this is a road bike and a road bike needs carrying capacity. The next summer, a buddy and I took a trip to Colorado and I grew to hate two things on that trip. The Cobras and the aftermarket LeatherLyke bags. So, I set about seeing what I could do about that. As luck would have it, an older local gentleman was "triking" his Tourer and was selling all the take-off stuff. I made out like a bandit - except for the color. At the same time, I had an opportunity to buy a very desirable set of Viking pipes that would go great with the Tourer bags. While the bags were out for paint, I installed the Vikings. To be honest, neither the guy selling them nor I realized what they were. I just knew I was getting large diameter equal length ceramic coated pipes with 36" glass packs. $150! Used, they go for almost a grand. Like I said, I made out like a bandit. Imagine my surprise when I realized this!
I also put on a Mustang seat and a few farkles, but that's pretty much it. Oh and I've put on right at 30k miles.
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Last edited by desertrefugee on Fri Jan 29, 2021 11:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
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Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Couple of "as she sit" shots. For some reason, they wouldn't attach to the previous post. I have also added a set of Progressive 430's that lowered the rear about an inch and a half. The lake shot is before lowering. The Grand Canyon is after...
Last edited by desertrefugee on Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
The paint guy duplicated Honda's color and pinstripes to a T!
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
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Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Oh! One other VERY important, no essential, addition to ANY Valkyrie is this
Yep, a Phat Ghurl just HAS to have a Dragon somewhere. I have one on the front of the rear fender on each side...
Yep, a Phat Ghurl just HAS to have a Dragon somewhere. I have one on the front of the rear fender on each side...
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- Jonesz
- Silver Member
- Posts: 906
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- Location: Manitoba, Canada
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
That is a cool bike desertrefugee! Can't wait to climb back on my 99 tourer come spring, that is except for my 78 GL1000 for shorter runs. You have stirred up my wanting to get out and go.
Jonesz
1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5315
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
beautiful bike. I walked past a standard just like it for 2 years every time I went to my local bike shop..
still kicking my ass for not buying it.
still kicking my ass for not buying it.
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)
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)
- Liam
- True Blue Steel Biker
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:23 am
- Location: Ireland
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Desertrefugee you have planted a seed in my brain. I have a black rat that needs some work, and I was wondering what to do, but now I know. I am currently getting set up to do painting, as in setting up a painting room in one of my disused sheds.
I am taking pictures of my spray room construction and maybe I will post some pictures here, just to bore everyone to oblivion.
I am taking pictures of my spray room construction and maybe I will post some pictures here, just to bore everyone to oblivion.
-
- Titanium Member
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- Location: Charleston SC
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
That is a GREAT paint match!
1979 GL1000
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
- sgwilly
- Gold Member
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- Location: Clayton, NC
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Personally, I went with a rhino theme. The black & grey color scheme was calling for it.
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
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
'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
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Very nice paint job. Is that a pearl or metal flake?
Liam - look forward to your paint shop and paint project. Nice to know what other people used for their paint project, paint gun, etc because I painted my '95 1500 - Pearl Glacier White and '85 Limited Edition Gold Wings - two tone gold/brown metal flake with pinstripe.
Liam - look forward to your paint shop and paint project. Nice to know what other people used for their paint project, paint gun, etc because I painted my '95 1500 - Pearl Glacier White and '85 Limited Edition Gold Wings - two tone gold/brown metal flake with pinstripe.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
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- Location: Michigan
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
The black and yellow is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite paint scheme the Valkyrie came in, and only because I can't quite place where "overall black" belongs on the list.
The only stock colors I would consider better are the purple and cream. Mostly for the audacity of owning a purple motorcycle.
The only stock colors I would consider better are the purple and cream. Mostly for the audacity of owning a purple motorcycle.
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.
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.
- Sagebrush
- Run Executive
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Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Curious to know why you didn't like the Leatherlykes? Was it because of looks or function?
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
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
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
1) They leaked like a sieve.
2) The tassles buffed the area behind them smooth (from the constant scrubbing in the wind).
3) They developed stress cracks and needed to be reinforced. (Mount holes).
4) Hokey lower support consisted of a piece of nylon (or some white polymer) that rubbed/rode on the shock.
5) Didn't really care for the look.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
Thanks Ernest. It's a very fine textured pearl. I was surprised and pleased he was able to match it so well.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Evolution of a Bumblebee Tourer
I think Mother Honda got it right on the Valyrie two-tone paint scheme. I suspect it'd translate well onto similarly configured bikes. I have a friend with a gorgeous pearl dark red and pearl cream '98 Valk.Liam wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:07 am Desertrefugee you have planted a seed in my brain. I have a black rat that needs some work, and I was wondering what to do, but now I know. I am currently getting set up to do painting, as in setting up a painting room in one of my disused sheds.
I am taking pictures of my spray room construction and maybe I will post some pictures here, just to bore everyone to oblivion.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
-
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