next project - Valkyrie or SilverWing?

[Fred Camper]

Those pipes look great.

[toomanybikes]

Those pipes look great.

Thanks. There are a few scuffs and dings, but the chrome is very good and overall better than my current pipes.

[toomanybikes]

UPDATE - Maiden voyage/Italian tune ride today of roughly 40 minutes. Ran smoothly and the smoke gradually became less.

It started with blowing smoke at 3k, then 3.5k, etc. By the end of the ride it would only blow smoke if you hit the throttle up to 5k. At that point it's a puff and then clears up.

Oil level is still fine, so it does not seem to be burning oil, at least not quickly.

I'll do another ride tomorrow.

[Fred Camper]

Great news, you are close to the finish line. Sounds like the dripping is gone?

[toomanybikes]

Great news, you are close to the finish line. Sounds like the dripping is gone?

Will have to see on the next ride. The tell tale sign was residue on the side stand when it's in the riding position. Wipe clean, ride, check and we'll know. Also, once I swap exhaust we'll know if the smoke was from the engine or residue in the pipes.

UPDATE - One more burn out ride now done. Very little smoke, no residue on side stand, oil levels still unchanged. All good now.

Still need to get the tank fully de-rusted, then she'll be 100%. I did a few tank flushes with PB blaster and then gas to get the loose stuff and sediment out. Now it's time for Evaporust.

[Fred Camper]

Good news, she will be a forever bike very soon.

[Lucien Harpress]

Good to hear! Valkyries don't really seem to have reputations as maintenance hogs, so it's good that your problems seem to be clearing up.

Now that you've got a bit of seat time, what do you think?

[dontwantapickle]

They are very dependable bikes, Never let us down.
Only maintance issues I ever had with mine (other than having to replace the petcock once)
was leaking fork seals. I replaced them 3 times in 128,000 miles.
Probably from taking the big heavy bike offroad.

...and I guess rear tires.
I went thru Dunlops pretty quick until I went to the darkside and was able
to do 30,000 miles between tire changes.

[toomanybikes]

Good to hear! Valkyries don't really seem to have reputations as maintenance hogs, so it's good that your problems seem to be clearing up.

Now that you've got a bit of seat time, what do you think?

Well, she's a heavy ride, so low speed handling will take some getting used to. Corners well on the gradual turns of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is my intended usage. Would be nice if the windscreen was a 2-3 inches higher. Buffeting isn't bad, but it's not perfect either. I have a small extension screen that I'll try soon.

Haven't yet done any of the local tight twisties, but I have other bikes for that. Same with dirt roads, this bike will only ever see pavement unless something has gone horribly wrong.

Engine is super smooth, as you might expect from a flat 6. Ergos are good for me, I like the pegs under foot and can stand up without it being awkward.

I also have a naked GL1100 project that should be done soon. Will be interesting to see how the 1100 compares to the Valk, and if I keep both.

Stay tuned.