The fat girl’ BACK!

With so many of us stuck at home, thought I’d post a lengthy tale of my latest Valk relationship.
In November of ‘17, I reluctantly sold my 2003 Valkyrie. She was a black beauty, adorned with a batwing fairing, Harley bags and a Harley chopped trunk. (they DO make nice luggage.) She was a perfect ride and had served me flawlessly for four great years. But, my eyes had begun to wander, and after several test rides, I decided that the F6B was the next bike for me. (#18, in 42 years of riding) So I listed and sold the Valk, and purchased a mint 2014 yellow and black B for a great price of $10,495.
The Bumble B was everything I hoped for. She was younger, longer, Lowe and she performed strikingly better than my beloved Valkyrie. I gave her a good bit of bling, to reflect my commitment (taller vented shield, passenger backrest and rack, highway pegs, pin striping, fairing and fender trim, and a custom matched mid-sized tour pack.) she was a real beauty, and as an added bonus, the wife actually loved the broad stock saddle. We both were thrilled with the “B”.
HOWEVER, in the course of the last 30 months, I began to feel that something was missing. Wherever I rode with me new yellow B, I felt oddly in usable. With the old Valk, people inevitably approached and asked an assortment of questions: “What is that bike? Is it new? Is that a car engine in that thing? That bike is awesome.”
I know it sounds vain, but I sorely missed the ice-breaking nature and the verbal exchanges that came with owning a Valkyrie. On the F6B, that no longer happened.
So this past March, I made an executive decision! (approved by the household CEO, my wife) I decided that life is short and, after 44 years of full time employ, I’ve more than earned the luxury of owning two inspiring motorcycles. And, within two week’s time, I located a ‘98 black tourer, that had been sitting for 18 months. (the owner had passed) She was neglected, but not abused, and she moved into my garage for a very fair price of $2600.
I’ve spent the past few weeks changing fluids, installing a new battery, replacing the font tire, buffing, polishing, waxing, and adding some $700 in bling that I’ve secured on line. And, honestly, I am enjoying every minute of my efforts! ( that’s the other problem with the B. It takes about ten minutes to clean and polish) There is nothing like putting a bit of effort into shining a Valkyrie, then stepping back with a cold beer in hand and admiring what is (and always will be) a work of two-wheeled art!
It’s great to have a phat gurl parked in the garage again. It’s exhilarating, having two powerful rigs waiting for me to take them out on the town. And, even though I never left, it’s great to be back as a “legitimate” member of the VRCC. A fabulous, fun site that reflects the unique history and grandeur’s of the Valkyrie!
Hope my tale wasn’t too tedious. Best Wishes to all. Stay safe. Ride safe.
Mike in Ohio (formerly, Mike in New York)