Tyres - I claim my first prize !

[wirral_biker]

Recently bought a low mileage F6c which has been re-commissioned by a specialist workshop.

Last owner  even had the wheels removed ( who the hell tightened the front axle is one strong lad ! ) and powder coated silver ( ish ! ).

BUT the OE tyres were put back on        So, claiming my prize for removing the oldest tyres on a Valk. just a young 21 years old !!

Anyone beat that? 

Avon Cobras going on tomorrow.

[The emperor has no clothes]

You threw me there for a minute. Over here a F6C is the new style Valkyrie. I assume you are in Europe ? What model and color do you have ? And no, I have nowhere close to that record.

[Jess from VA]

been re-commissioned by a specialist workshop.

Specialists in what?   Attempted murder (or reckless endangerment)?? 

A lot of things are (or can become) collector's items.  Motorcycle tyres isn't one of them.   

I hope they changed the original oil and filter.  That's not a collector's item either. 

[Dagwood]

been re-commissioned by a specialist workshop.

Specialists in what?   Attempted murder (or reckless endangerment)?? 

A lot of things are (or can become) collector's items.  Motorcycle tyres isn't one of them.   

I hope they changed the original oil and filter.  That's not a collector's item either. 

Neither are the OE valve stems.

[bikerboy1951]

I recently purchased a '97 Tourer. The rear tire has been replaced but the front is original as are the valve stems. Slow speed riding in town only until new tires and valve stems installed. The serial number is 000007 and supposedly was made in June of '96.

Brad

[Chrisj CMA]

Recently bought a low mileage F6c which has been re-commissioned by a specialist workshop.

Last owner  even had the wheels removed ( who the hell tightened the front axle is one strong lad ! ) and powder coated silver ( ish ! ).

BUT the OE tyres were put back on        So, claiming my prize for removing the oldest tyres on a Valk. just a young 21 years old !!

Anyone beat that?  

Avon Cobras going on tomorrow.

Not so fast. Ok, was not a valk but a Honda. Some years ago in ‘99 I bought this ‘73 Honda CB 175. Long story but it never ran from the factory. I fixed it and started riding it. Then it dawned on me. Holy crap. I was doing 70 mph on 26 year old Yokohama factory tires. Funny thing. I thought there might even be Japanese air still in there.  Lol

[MarkT]

Ya got me beat on George (red bobber below).  Just swapped out the back tire and rubber valve stem.  It was 0744, Metzeler, worn to bald on the sides.  The front is an Avon, same date.  It has lotsa rubber left and rubber stems.  Have a replacement Michelin on order.  The back splines are in pretty good shape - had plenty of moly grease, little wear.  But then the bike isn't real high mile.  I get into the pinon cup and splines today.  Chuck did good on the restore.  The bike had been neglected after GJ died 2003 & before Chuck got it.

I use a FUEL M18 Milwaukee electric impact to remove axle nuts (and spin them on, starting the torque).  No more hassles trying to break them loose!

BTW I just got a Dyna3000 installed.  Eliminated the hesitation it has had forever.  I rode this bike back in 2001 when George Jackson still owned it - same hesitation; he never got it sorted out.  Now it is SCARY FAST!  I'll add to the testimony, a blown Valkyrie NEEDS a Dyna3000.

George is smiling down on us, with his bike well cared for and running GREAT now!

[wirral_biker]

You threw me there for a minute. Over here a F6C is the new style Valkyrie. I assume you are in Europe ? What model and color do you have ? And no, I have nowhere close to that record.

This one is a 1997 Red and White and is a UK model ( had a black F6c before this and regretted the sale  ).
Also had a new ( in 1997 ) green and cream Valkyrie from Belgium and about 3 years ago another green/cream Valkyrie brought over from US of A 

Loved them all and definitely keeping this one ( 64 yrs now so WILL be my last Valk !! )

Workshop that refurbished the bike did a reasonable job; I suspect that they would have told the owner about putting the old tyres back on but he only managed 500 miles on her in a few years ( now has a massive 2,900 miles  )

Should be getting the wheels back tomorrow and fitting them same day..trying not to loosen the final drive and hope the rear wheel slots in ( moly greased ) smoothly    She look's like a ship in dry dock at the moment 

Immaculate paint although chrome showing 'patena'.   Flushed her out over 300 miles with Redex
and removed some dubious wiring etc...but she is good to go now.     £299 for a pair of Avon Cobras

[Leathel]

My F6C had new shoes when I got it but @8500 miles the front would not have been changed twice (unless for age)



been 2 or 3 more sets since I got it

[wirral_biker]

You threw me there for a minute. Over here a F6C is the new style Valkyrie. I assume you are in Europe ? What model and color do you have ? And no, I have nowhere close to that record.

This one is a 1997 Red and White and is a UK model ( had a black F6c before this and regretted the sale  ).
Also had a new ( in 1997 ) green and cream Valkyrie from Belgium and about 3 years ago another green/cream Valkyrie brought over from US of A 

Loved them all and definitely keeping this one ( 64 yrs now so WILL be my last Valk !! )

Workshop that refurbished the bike did a reasonable job; I suspect that they would have told the owner about putting the old tyres back on but he only managed 500 miles on her in a few years ( now has a massive 2,900 miles  )

Should be getting the wheels back tomorrow and fitting them same day..trying not to loosen the final drive and hope the rear wheel slots in ( moly greased ) smoothly    She look's like a ship in dry dock at the moment 

Immaculate paint although chrome showing 'patena'.   Flushed her out over 300 miles with Redex
and removed some dubious wiring etc...but she is good to go now.     £299 for a pair of Avon Cobras

Happy days...new Cobras fitted and just about everything else has been done  :-)

Do need a chromed alternator cover though...mine is pitted

[9Ball]

I recently purchased a '97 Tourer. The rear tire has been replaced but the front is original as are the valve stems. Slow speed riding in town only until new tires and valve stems installed. The serial number is 000007 and supposedly was made in June of '96.

Brad

Is that what the label on the left hand side of the frame at the neck shows?  My 1999 was built in May 1998 per my label.

[pancho]

This is not even a contender in the running, but I did buy a rear wheel that had a good looking 12 year old Avon Venom tire on it. I used it until the tire wore out in about 7K miles, that was in the pre CT days.

[rug_burn]

To the Original Poster, Wirral_biker: Okay-  for that you win a delightful 'No Prize', awarded this day for replacing maybe the oldest tires on a Valkyrie.   Check you mailbox in the coming days, and please don't wear it out.  

I'd like to find another good, running Valk soon myself for a good price, too.
 
However- I wanted to ask 'the gang' here of their collective opinion of the rather new Metzler 888 tires.  The local motorcycle shop says they're real high mileage tires, and good quality all around.   Anyone use them, and what kind of mileage do you get on them compared to other tires?

[wirral_biker]

To the Original Poster, Wirral_biker: Okay-  for that you win a delightful 'No Prize', awarded this day for replacing maybe the oldest tires on a Valkyrie.   Check your mailbox in the coming days, and please don't wear it out.  

Weirdly, the rear looked in amazing condition although the front was cracking a tad between the tread.
Could have got another 3,000 miles out of 'em !!! 

[da prez]

 Unless I misread something , trying not to loosen the final drive nuts to change a tire. DO NOT do it. Follow the info in tech. The four bolts are tightened after the axle is torqued. Simple to do and saves future issues.

                                          da prez

[Chrisj CMA]

Unless I misread something , trying not to loosen the final drive nuts to change a tire. DO NOT do it. Follow the info in tech. The four bolts are tightened after the axle is torqued. Simple to do and saves future issues.

                                           da prez

Hey prez. I agree with you 100%. But I get tired trying to convince people. Let him take the tiny shortcut. And then be on the hunt to rebuild or replace his final drive soon. It seems to be a craze lately so the good used parts are getting harder and harder to find

[Avanti]

I do not understand why anyone would pull the rear wheel and not service the final drive, drive shaft, pinion cup and check the universal joint. These all work in unison to push you down the road and home again.

[wirral_biker]

Well I did get 25,000 plus  ( and a few rear tyres ) off my first Valkyrie....without loosening and final drive bolts !

If you guys think I should jack her back up, loosen the axle nut and then loosen the 4 nuts, then I'll certainly give it a go, if it is as Honda recommend ?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well I did get 25,000 plus  ( and a few rear tyres ) off my first Valkyrie....without loosening and final drive bolts !

If you guys think I should jack her back up, loosen the axle nut and then loosen the 4 nuts, then I'll certainly give it a go, if it is as Honda recommend ?

It doesn’t really matter the order you initially loosen and remove. But, it does matter the sequence put everything back. Torque the axle nut before tightening the four driveshaft nuts. (To answer your question, yes I would redo it)

[indybobm]

You should also remove the right side shock before you tighten the the axle nut and four swing arm/final drive nuts to keep it from trying to rotate the final drive. The left shock does not have to be removed.