Valk Build/Mod Thread: Closer And Closer
Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
I'll probably finish up the rear rack supports this weekend, and I'm picking at some minor things, but today a question:
I was looking around the upper radiator hose, as it goes by the frame on it's way into the radiator, and I found this clip jammed into the space between it.
It wasn't attached to anything, and the rust spot on the frame that lined up with the hole in the clip leads me to believe it's been there for a while. Before I start combing parts schematics, does anybody have any idea what this thing is?
I was looking around the upper radiator hose, as it goes by the frame on it's way into the radiator, and I found this clip jammed into the space between it.
It wasn't attached to anything, and the rust spot on the frame that lined up with the hole in the clip leads me to believe it's been there for a while. Before I start combing parts schematics, does anybody have any idea what this thing is?
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.
- sgwilly
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:43 pm
- Location: Clayton, NC
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
I don’t recognize it but I’ve never removed a Valk radiator either.
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
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Same here
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- Liam
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2073
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:23 am
- Location: Ireland
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
To me that looks like a clip to hold a paper sheet onto a drawing board.
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Yeah, I'm inclined to believe it fell off something and just happened to get wedged between the radiator hose and the frame. Between the Harley parts and the Cobra goodies I can tell this bike has led a full, interesting life, so it could be anything.
That fact that other Valk owners have no idea what this is makes me feel a bit better.
That fact that other Valk owners have no idea what this is makes me feel a bit better.
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.
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Another day, another little detail to pick at. Today's goal? Horns!
So a bit of backstory, the bike as purchased came with an air horn. However, I was never too keen on it- while the compressor works, the horn doesn't. Either due to faulty horns or a split air hose, I'm not sure. Either way, the compressor is jammed up under the right sidecover, and while it "works" (so to speak), that plus the relay turned all the OTHER wiring into a mess. That paired with the fact I don't use any of the horns on the bikes I have that much led to me to decide to delete it.
Now, I could just put the stock horns back on, but where's the fun in that? A quick trip to eBay later, and voila!
Now, as far as mounting them goes, I COULD just run them up by the front belt covers, like they came from the factory. But in my quest to do dumb things correctly, I went back to look at a bunch of old British bikes, and where they decided to put their horns. I noticed a lot of them tended to put them back by the rear fender, for whatever reason. Take this Ariel Square Four, for example.
Now, I'm always a fan of a bad decision, so I just may try something similar. The issue is getting the fitment right so it doesn't get hit by the swingarm, rear shocks, or the feet of a potential passenger, while also looking good- again, a dumb idea, but executed CORRECTLY.
Not helping my case? When they arrived they were a bit... larger than I was expecting.
I'm still playing around with fitment locations, but those are minor details. After that I'll fab up a quick bracket, and pretty soon it may be time for a trip to my powdercoater. Until then!
So a bit of backstory, the bike as purchased came with an air horn. However, I was never too keen on it- while the compressor works, the horn doesn't. Either due to faulty horns or a split air hose, I'm not sure. Either way, the compressor is jammed up under the right sidecover, and while it "works" (so to speak), that plus the relay turned all the OTHER wiring into a mess. That paired with the fact I don't use any of the horns on the bikes I have that much led to me to decide to delete it.
Now, I could just put the stock horns back on, but where's the fun in that? A quick trip to eBay later, and voila!
Now, as far as mounting them goes, I COULD just run them up by the front belt covers, like they came from the factory. But in my quest to do dumb things correctly, I went back to look at a bunch of old British bikes, and where they decided to put their horns. I noticed a lot of them tended to put them back by the rear fender, for whatever reason. Take this Ariel Square Four, for example.
Now, I'm always a fan of a bad decision, so I just may try something similar. The issue is getting the fitment right so it doesn't get hit by the swingarm, rear shocks, or the feet of a potential passenger, while also looking good- again, a dumb idea, but executed CORRECTLY.
Not helping my case? When they arrived they were a bit... larger than I was expecting.
I'm still playing around with fitment locations, but those are minor details. After that I'll fab up a quick bracket, and pretty soon it may be time for a trip to my powdercoater. Until then!
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.
-
- Billet Alum. Member
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:42 pm
- Location: Ashland Ohio
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Looking good! I really like that rack and the saddlebags together, nice touches.
1975 GL1000
- sgwilly
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:43 pm
- Location: Clayton, NC
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Turns out it’s not so aftermarket. Looks like the real deal.sgwilly wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:13 pm I just saw (and ordered) an aftermarket replacement direct from Japan.
https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya/ ... 1333MZ0A00
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
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
They must've been on the same plane, because mine showed up today too. It only took a few seconds to pop it on (getting the rubber grommet in was the worst part), and it looks great.
No photos, because I was too busy riding, for a change!
No photos, because I was too busy riding, for a change!
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.
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
I managed my first ride longer than about 10 minutes the other day, so I've got a bit better idea of what living with one of these beasts is actually like. In no particular order:
--These bikes are definitely planted. Everyone goes on about how smooth they are, but what got me was just how stable they are. If you're not dealing with a twitchy bike, it's easier to relax. I can see why these are such mile-eaters.
--Handlebars are perfect. They look great, and are very comfy.
--I knew the exhaust had been modified, but at the time I only thought the "piggies" (short extensions past the muffler, hidden under the exhaust tips) had been cut off, a rather common thing that was done. However, it looks like the baffles have been drilled out as well. The resulting noise isn't unpleasant by any means, but I'm also getting a bunch of light popping out of the exhaust. It sounds JUST like my Jeep with it's slightly-rotted-needs-to-be-replaced muffler. I could chase it, but with the modified muffler I don't see a point. It doesn't seem to affect performance in any way, so unless something pops up later, I'm just going to live with it (and maybe possibly be on a long-term lookout for a new exhaust system, maybe).
Overall? I get why people fall in love with these things.
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.
- Jonesz
- Silver Member
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 9:03 pm
- Location: Manitoba, Canada
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Handsome Bike Lucien. Like the bags. Never seen a Valk that I didn't like although I am a bit prejudiced. Maybe would try to carry the bag look to another part of the bike to give it some continuity (tank bib or whatever).
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
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Yeah, I agree about the bags. I'm tossing around some ideas about adding some brown accents up toward the front. Maybe a tank bag or something.
I've never been a fan of the Valkyrie gauge and headlight setup- the wide-set gauges and chrome pods aren't my favorite arrangement, and the headlight is a bit too recessed for me to like. I got plans to revamp them both... eventually.
I'd also like to swap the seat out at some point too. The goal is to incorporate a cantilever solo seat somehow, and if I can get the cushion on that a similar brown shade, it would tie things together as well.
That can all be later though.
I've never been a fan of the Valkyrie gauge and headlight setup- the wide-set gauges and chrome pods aren't my favorite arrangement, and the headlight is a bit too recessed for me to like. I got plans to revamp them both... eventually.
I'd also like to swap the seat out at some point too. The goal is to incorporate a cantilever solo seat somehow, and if I can get the cushion on that a similar brown shade, it would tie things together as well.
That can all be later though.
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.
- sgwilly
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:43 pm
- Location: Clayton, NC
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
Looks nice. Maybe a leather fork bag.
That popping may be due to cracked vacuum hoses in the air induction system. Capping them off is often done. Redeye sells a kit with chrome plugs but it can also be done with just a tube of JBWeld. Or you could also replace all the hoses.
A bunch of folks swap in a VTX headlight bucket which pushes forward a bit more with a bit more angularity.
That popping may be due to cracked vacuum hoses in the air induction system. Capping them off is often done. Redeye sells a kit with chrome plugs but it can also be done with just a tube of JBWeld. Or you could also replace all the hoses.
A bunch of folks swap in a VTX headlight bucket which pushes forward a bit more with a bit more angularity.
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
- Whiskerfish
- President
- Posts: 36949
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
- Location: Norfolk Va
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
One of my favorite ever GL1000's had a set of Valk Interstate side bags on it. The lines matched up perfectly.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread
...But they are pricey.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
-
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