Brynhild is home!!!!

[Motodad71]

Well my Valkyrie warrior princess is home as of yesterday evening, and will hopefully be the last time EVER on a trailer. 1997 standard, with 6795 very well maintained miles......runs freaking awesome. I know the fork oil is original, so that will be changed out very soon. I am amazed at how this bike runs and handles, and oh the beautiful music those exhausts make......people were looking in the neighborhood as I was riding around and when I got gas. I have some minor corrosion on some of the chrome but none of it is deep or pitted, would post a pic but not sure how. Love the forum and love these bikes, looking forward to a long lasting relationship for both.

Brian

[rockbobmel]

Yaaaayyy! I'm itchin to get her out of the barn and show her off.  Friggin snow here in Mass today........   

PS, Good luck with those pics...........

[Harryc]

Good luck with her. Ride on!

[Gideon]

I am happy for you. 
Ride safe!

[Jess from VA]

Very cool Brian.  

They are an addiction.  

When I got my first Valk, I already had three other bikes (one was the wife's, but not like she did any maintenance or work on it, except maybe a wash).  I really liked my other bikes, one I had had for 18 loving years, the other a new fuel injected cruiser.  I thought I would enjoy swapping out between the bikes.  I did for awhile, but soon enough, every time I went out to choose, I wanted to ride the Valk.  Then a buddy of mine with a very special supervalk made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I got another Valk.

The maintenance, tax, tags, insurance and storage problem with five was stupid, and all my riding was on the two Valks (although I greatly prefer my chopped interstate over my trunk interstate).  So, reason prevailed and three bikes got sold.  I didn't even miss them.

I've never learned to post my own pictures here (using an internet picture host), but am an expert at posting pictures already on the interweb.  Just plug in a search of what you are looking for, find it, and post it here.  

More specifically, you plug in a search with key words and hit enter, then click images, and you get hundreds of pics to chose from.  You select the one you want, you right click the pic and scroll down the dropdown box to View Image Info and left click that.  In the pop up Page Info box, you look for Location at the top of the bottom half, highlight the https: URL that is shown, and Copy it.  

Then, back in your VRCC post you are working on, you first click enter to get the cursor to be sitting where you want the picture to appear in your post (a new left edge paragraph).  Then look up to the big B (for bold) at the top left corner, and left click the picture frame landscape just below the B (Insert Image).  When you do that, this will appear where you had the cursor sitting in your post in progress  

[rockbobmel]

Thanks Jess. Most forums have the means to select a pic from your computer.  Going through all those steps are a pita- especially when you have to resize them, H & W.

[Motodad71]

I’ll figure out the picture thing somehow, I’m an Administrator on Stromtrooper and I currenty also have a 2015 V-Strom 650XT in the garage too, I’ve owned 2 1000’s prior to that. The reason I am drawn to the big ADV bikes is how versatile they are, and so much fun. I love Goldwings and thought I would be adding one of those next, but I’ve always wanted a Valkyrie more. Will for sure do some upgrades, but nothing to crazy, as I love the purity and simplicity of this machine. Thinking perhaps an 18” windshield, a PC-8 power hub, some hard cases, fuel and engine temp gauges, forward pegs, Goldwing passenger foot boards, and maybe just maybe add an MC cruise control. See nothing too much at all..LMAO.

[Jess from VA]

For some reason, the end of my post above got deleted (my fault), and I cannot repair it.  When I go in to repair it, nothing is deleted.  It's a mystery.

So here it is again with the end complete.
________________________________________________

Very cool Brian.   cooldude

They are an addiction.  

When I got my first Valk, I already had three other bikes (one was the wife's, but not like she did any maintenance or work on it, except maybe a wash).  I really liked my other bikes, one I had had for 18 loving years, the other a new fuel injected cruiser.  I thought I would enjoy swapping out between the bikes.  I did for awhile, but soon enough, every time I went out to choose, I wanted to ride the Valk.  Then a buddy of mine with a very special supervalk made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I got another Valk.

The maintenance, tax, tags, insurance and storage problem with five was stupid, and all my riding was on the two Valks (although I greatly prefer my chopped interstate over my trunk interstate).  So, reason prevailed and three bikes got sold.  I didn't even miss them.

I've never learned to post my own pictures here (using an internet picture host), but am an expert at posting pictures already on the interweb.  Just plug in a search of what you are looking for, find it, and post it here.  

More specifically, you plug in a search with key words and hit enter, then click images, and you get hundreds of pics to choose from.  You select the one you want, you right click the pic and scroll down the dropdown box to View Image Info and left click that.  In the pop up Page Info box, you look for Location at the top of the bottom half, highlight the https: URL that is shown, and Copy it.  

Then, back in your VRCC post you are working on, you first click enter to get the cursor to be sitting where you want the picture to appear in your post (a new left edge paragraph).  Then look up to the big B (for bold) at the top left corner, and left click the picture frame landscape just below the B (Insert Image).  When you do that, this will appear where you had the cursor sitting in your post in progress [img][img].  The last step is to mouse the cursor right between the two [img]'s, right click, scroll down the dropdown and hit paste, and your picture should be posted.

I apologize if this is overly detailed (nee insulting) of a step by step instructions.  It's the kind of instructions I needed myself to learn the process.  It's not the only way to do it, but it's the way I do it.

I don't post my own pics, but post many pics I find on the web, often exact copies what I have or where I have been, etc.  

There used to be a boatload of pics I did take and posted over on Delphi Forums, but they have all disappeared.  

[Jess from VA]

I’ll figure out the picture thing somehow, I’m an Administrator on Stromtrooper and I currenty also have a 2015 V-Strom 650XT in the garage too, I’ve owned 2 1000’s prior to that. The reason I am drawn to the big ADV bikes is how versatile they are, and so much fun. I love Goldwings and thought I would be adding one of those next, but I’ve always wanted a Valkyrie more. Will for sure do some upgrades, but nothing to crazy, as I love the purity and simplicity of this machine. Thinking perhaps an 18” windshield, a PC-8 power hub, some hard cases, fuel and engine temp gauges, forward pegs, Goldwing passenger foot boards, and maybe just maybe add an MC cruise control. See nothing too much at all..LMAO.

Brian, a lot of guys have added an Interstate (IS) 6.9 gallon tank to their std/tourer (5.3), for the extra legs.  If you do that, it (should) come with a fuel sending unit that can be run to an aftermarket gauge.  I think the IS sending unit wires have to be reversed, for any aftermarket gauge to work.  Decent IS tanks can be expensive though ($800 +/-) (and then often paint too).

But keep this in mind.  My bike mileage is very consistent, unless I am running 75-80 for long periods  (and rarely do that) or massive headwinds.  Even with my gauge, I set both my trip meters to O at each fill-up, like on all bikes with no gauge.  I always stay on the bike and fill with it centered up; with a center gas cap, and always take the time to fill right up to the neck with slow feed pump (but don't ever do that and then go a block or two and set the bike in the sun on the side stand, or gas can cook out the vent line) (when you plan to fill up then go a block and eat, don't fill to the neck).  My interstates are remarkably consistent to 220 miles till I choke to reserve (with 1.1 gallons left).  And once you learn your bike's miles to reserve (also 1.1), you should be able to rely on the tripmeter with good confidence.

The trip meter is generally more accurate than my IS gas gauge.  In my opinion my bike runs a good deal more than half the tank out when the gauge is on half.  Filling to the neck, I do not lose a single fuel bar (IS gauge is led bars, not analog) until right at 55-60 miles, every time.  I go 50 miles to get non corn polluted fuel, and my last trip I was sweating a bit on reserve, and put 6.7 gallons in the 6.9 gallon tank.  Of course, by this time the fuel gauge on the IS has just been flashing at me with no bars for some 40 miles because it starts to flash well before you actually hit reserve.  Earlier, on a fairly straight and flat freeway, my gauge routinely switched between two bars and no bars and flashing, back and forth, until it was flashing only.  Thus even with the (IS) gauge, relying on mileage is more exacting than the gauge.  

On the other hand, if you consistently fill up with a third or quarter tank left, then this is all academic.

Setting my tripmeters to O on fillup, when I hit reserve, I reset one again, and plan on a slightly conservative 35 miles to empty.  And believe me, I am always riding conservatively on reserve (keeping it at or under 3k on the tach to conserve fuel), unless I KNOW the next station is a easily within range.

Over the years, guys have reported varying mileage on tanks of gas for all models.  Some variation is to be expected, but some of the worst mileage to reserve sounds like something is wrong.  I think as often as not that a lot of guys do not really get a full tank.  The interstate tank is about the same size/shape as the std but taller for the bigger capacity.  Even when IS tanks look full, most will take at least another half gallon or more with no issue of spill (if the pump will feed slowly enough).  I have no experience with std tanks.  My point here is when learning your bike's range and average miles to reserve (as a substitute gas gauge), it's helpful to fill your tank to a consistent level (whatever that is) every time. Pushing these fat bastards is not a part of the fun experience.

[..]

Thanks Jess. Most forums have the means to select a pic from your computer.  Going through all those steps are a pita- especially when you have to resize them, H & W.

https://postimages.org/

[..]

For some reason, the end of my post above got deleted (my fault), and I cannot repair it.  When I go in to repair it, nothing is deleted.  It's a mystery.

So here it is again with the end complete.
________________________________________________

Very cool Brian.   cooldude

They are an addiction.  

When I got my first Valk, I already had three other bikes (one was the wife's, but not like she did any maintenance or work on it, except maybe a wash).  I really liked my other bikes, one I had had for 18 loving years, the other a new fuel injected cruiser.  I thought I would enjoy swapping out between the bikes.  I did for awhile, but soon enough, every time I went out to choose, I wanted to ride the Valk.  Then a buddy of mine with a very special supervalk made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I got another Valk.

The maintenance, tax, tags, insurance and storage problem with five was stupid, and all my riding was on the two Valks (although I greatly prefer my chopped interstate over my trunk interstate).  So, reason prevailed and three bikes got sold.  I didn't even miss them.

I've never learned to post my own pictures here (using an internet picture host), but am an expert at posting pictures already on the interweb.  Just plug in a search of what you are looking for, find it, and post it here.  

More specifically, you plug in a search with key words and hit enter, then click images, and you get hundreds of pics to choose from.  You select the one you want, you right click the pic and scroll down the dropdown box to View Image Info and left click that.  In the pop up Page Info box, you look for Location at the top of the bottom half, highlight the https: URL that is shown, and Copy it.  

Then, back in your VRCC post you are working on, you first click enter to get the cursor to be sitting where you want the picture to appear in your post (a new left edge paragraph).  Then look up to the big B (for bold) at the top left corner, and left click the picture frame landscape just below the B (Insert Image).  When you do that, this will appear where you had the cursor sitting in your post in progress [img][img].  The last step is to mouse the cursor right between the two [img]'s, right click, scroll down the dropdown and hit paste, and your picture should be posted.

I apologize if this is overly detailed (nee insulting) of a step by step instructions.  It's the kind of instructions I needed myself to learn the process.  It's not the only way to do it, but it's the way I do it.

I don't post my own pics, but post many pics I find on the web, often exact copies what I have or where I have been, etc.  

There used to be a boatload of pics I did take and posted over on Delphi Forums, but they have all disappeared.  

https://postimages.org/

If DDT can do it so can you 

[..]

I’ll figure out the picture thing somehow, I’m an Administrator on Stromtrooper and I currenty also have a 2015 V-Strom 650XT in the garage too, I’ve owned 2 1000’s prior to that. The reason I am drawn to the big ADV bikes is how versatile they are, and so much fun. I love Goldwings and thought I would be adding one of those next, but I’ve always wanted a Valkyrie more. Will for sure do some upgrades, but nothing to crazy, as I love the purity and simplicity of this machine. Thinking perhaps an 18” windshield, a PC-8 power hub, some hard cases, fuel and engine temp gauges, forward pegs, Goldwing passenger foot boards, and maybe just maybe add an MC cruise control. See nothing too much at all..LMAO.

https://postimages.org/

[rockbobmel]

Thanks Jess. Most forums have the means to select a pic from your computer.  Going through all those steps are a pita- especially when you have to resize them, H & W.

https://postimages.org/

I just signed up, downloaded, cut/paste in the image brackets..............nodda

[..]

Thanks Jess. Most forums have the means to select a pic from your computer.  Going through all those steps are a pita- especially when you have to resize them, H & W.

https://postimages.org/

I just signed up, downloaded, cut/paste in the image brackets..............nodda

Patience grasshopper.

One you have the photo downloaded put your cursor on the image and then click on the "share" icon. Looks like an open ended triangle on its side.

Then click the icon at the very right of the option " hotlink for forums".

This will copy the image.

Now go to the post you want the image to be shown in and right click your mouse where you want the image to be revealed and then select paste.  

OR

Use Ctrl and V together on your keyboard.

[rockbobmel]

Thanks. I got it to work but I had to use the "direct link" line. THANK YOU!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks. I got it to work but I had to use the "direct link" line. THANK YOU!

very nice. I’ve always liked the racing stripe models. If you wish to have your Memphis Shades screen not sitting quite so upright, there is an easy mod to get it tilted back a little. 

[rockbobmel]

Thank You!  Since this is already hijacked,  Can you point me to the mod for the Memphis Shades?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thank You!  Since this is already hijacked,  Can you point me to the mod for the Memphis Shades?

There are a couple ways of doing it. I did the easiest way. Basically, you are going to elongate the top slot on the mount. I used a dremel. You will only be able to go back to where the screen will touch the instruments, but it makes a difference. The other way is to add on a mount extension on the bottom mounts. I think this way gives you a little more movement.

[rockbobmel]

Thanks Meathead!!

[Jess from VA]

https://postimages.org/

If DDT can do it so can you  cooldude

Thanks Paul.  I know I could figure this out, but I just don't take many (any) pictures anymore.  

The shutter cover on my spendy Nikon mini digi cam stopped opening some years ago, and the on-line instructions for repair appeared harder than micro brain surgery.  I never even looked into returning it to Nikon for repair, or just buying another pocket digicam.  The 10,000 old developed pics that sit in a file cabinet next to me here, never got put in albums either.

People pics are really better than place pics (which can always be found on line better than you can take), and I ride alone most of the time.

And as only a hack mechanic, how-to pic posts are out too.  (see how the smoke comes out of my wires in this shot)  

I've just found with good search words, the millions of photos already on line nearly always give me what I'm looking for.  More old age laziness I guess.  

I suppose if I was interested in attending all those giant bike rallies with bouncing female parts all over the place, I might get interested in photography again, though come to think of it, only half the internet already has those shots too (and with closeups that would probably get my face punched if I tried it in person).  

[Motodad71]

Thanks for the info y'all, I will attempt to load a pic soon. Also.......as far as shields go, I don't want one which has universal mount to the bars, would like a fork mounted shield. Also I don't want a barn door either, was thinking like an 18" shield or there abouts, so what are my options?

See if this pic thing works for me......SWEET it worked, I used my photos page from the other forum I frequent as the web link.

[Jess from VA]

I take it your std came with no Honda shield (and more importantly hardware).

If so, many aftermarket mfgrs make fork boltups for Valks.  Memphis shades (fats and slims), Rifle, National Cycle, and maybe a few more.  Some may be polycarbinate and others Lucite (plastic) (if you have a preference).

I don't have experience in detail so will leave it to others.

The thing I would be interested in however, is if any of these are better suited without home-built mods, to mount the bottom forward and lean the top back for more aerodynamic function than the straight up barn door mount you often see.  

The home-built remedy I've seen is often short pieces/legs of aluminum stock added at the bottom mounts to gain more tilt back on top.

And remember if you want this tilt, the shield needs to be a little longer to come up to the optimal nose to chin area.
-----------------

Dude.   The bumblebee is my hands down favorite of all Valk colors.
 
And BTW, the Memphis Shades (fats and slims, and others) can be had with a bottom third black tint that I think looks sharp, and in no way impedes vision (and would look great on that bike).  (and nicely shades the gauges)

I had the largest fork mount Memphis sport shield (called the Big Shot) (lower black tinted) on my Kawi Mean streak that worked great.... but was certainly less coverage than their Fats.

You've got to do your homework on the proper headlight cutout size though, I seem to recall the Valk std takes the biggest cutout size.





I looked (briefly) and couldn't find any pics of it on a valk std.

[Motodad71]

Nope this is a 100% stock custom, I checked out the Rifle shields and really like those. I am gonna go with Viking bags too, but no leather or pleather for me.