Alien
Member
Posts: 1383
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« on: September 05, 2020, 07:06:36 AM » |
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I love my bike. I really do. I love everything about it....except for the things I can't stand. I've never liked the paint. The blue and cream never did it for me. I also can't stand the "parts bin" stuff that it shares with every other Honda cruiser (controls, etc.) I've been thinking about a refresh for a lonmg time and have gone back and forth quite a bit over the last few years. For a while, I wanted to convert it to a full touring bike, owing to the long miles that I do on it but I can't really justify the cost of adding bags, trunk, fairing, paint, etc. only to end up with something that's sort of an Interstate when an actual Interstates would (arguably) be about the same cost. I thought about just repainting it...again though, Valks are cheap right now, take your pick of colors. Then, while looking at pictures of motorcycles, I came across this, squinted my eyes re-imagined it as a Valk and fell in love:  vintage-bmw-motorcycle-1 (1) by Scott Sapers, on Flickr Shortly after that, I was invited to the local HD dealer for a test ride. I chose the Softail Slim. The bike was decent to ride but i wasn't going to buy it. However I liked the look and LOVED the color ("billiard blue").  slim by Scott Sapers, on Flickr These two bikes have combined in my head to direct the transformation of the Mothership. I'm going for a vintage look. I have some neat ideas for small details and i think I've figured out how to run spoke wheels. (More on that if it actually works). I want a new bike...that looks like an old bike...but is actually my current bike. Should be fun. What do you think? Ride Safe, Alien |
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Serk
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« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2020, 07:13:17 AM » |
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Whatever makes you happy, but a suggestion - at least consider shopping around for a used Valk that isn't quite as pretty as your current one, then make it into what you're wanting, then you can make Mothership more of a tourer/Interstate light for long distance? (I'll admit, I've always loved the dichotomy that despite our differences, our bikes are near twinkies of each other... (Or rather, the bike my daughter now rides mostly, but just the same...)  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1383
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2020, 07:18:38 AM » |
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Serk, that is pretty funny.  |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2020, 07:53:20 AM » |
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That Beemer is beautiful !
That looks like it would fit me just fine.
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sheets
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« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2020, 08:48:56 AM » |
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I was wondering about the project. I was going to offer you a Corbin dual saddle to compliment the transformation, but based on the photo it appears you have an aftermarket seat mounted on your vessel. I like that blue color.
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Robert
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« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2020, 09:35:55 AM » |
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I love that BMW but I would hate to ride it and thats why I bought a Honda, the reliability, comfort and durability that BMW although pretty just wouldn't fit the bill. I went out last week after not riding in awhile and wanted to pickup some take out. So hopped on the Valk and off I went, no problem and just took the long way home.  |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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f6john
Member
Posts: 9371
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2020, 10:29:36 AM » |
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Best post (by anyone) in a long time.
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2020, 12:15:29 PM » |
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I love that BMW but I would hate to ride it and thats why I bought a Honda, the reliability, comfort and durability that BMW although pretty just wouldn't fit the bill. I went out last week after not riding in awhile and wanted to pickup some take out. So hopped on the Valk and off I went, no problem and just took the long way home. I rode Beemers for quite a few decades. They're pretty bullet-proof. The Valk, however, is still the best bike I've had. I've been thinking about a cafe style smaller lighter ride, I also think that thing is pretty as heck. |
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2020, 05:50:13 PM » |
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Jersey mike
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« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2020, 06:14:54 PM » |
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I love my bike. I really do. I love everything about it....except for the things I can't stand. I've never liked the paint. The blue and cream never did it for me. I also can't stand the "parts bin" stuff that it shares with every other Honda cruiser (controls, etc.) I've been thinking about a refresh for a lonmg time and have gone back and forth quite a bit over the last few years. For a while, I wanted to convert it to a full touring bike, owing to the long miles that I do on it but I can't really justify the cost of adding bags, trunk, fairing, paint, etc. only to end up with something that's sort of an Interstate when an actual Interstates would (arguably) be about the same cost. I thought about just repainting it...again though, Valks are cheap right now, take your pick of colors. Then, while looking at pictures of motorcycles, I came across this, squinted my eyes re-imagined it as a Valk and fell in love: vintage-bmw-motorcycle-1 (1) by Scott Sapers, on Flickr Shortly after that, I was invited to the local HD dealer for a test ride. I chose the Softail Slim. The bike was decent to ride but i wasn't going to buy it. However I liked the look and LOVED the color ("billiard blue"). slim by Scott Sapers, on Flickr These two bikes have combined in my head to direct the transformation of the Mothership. I'm going for a vintage look. I have some neat ideas for small details and i think I've figured out how to run spoke wheels. (More on that if it actually works). I want a new bike...that looks like an old bike...but is actually my current bike. Should be fun. What do you think? Ride Safe, Alien Love this quote “ I want a new bike...that looks like an old bike...but is actually my current bike. Should be fun.” Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Can you draw or sketch, can you overlay stuff on a computer to get ideas working together? If you can picture it in your head and put it together on the bike that’s great. Good luck building your new old bike. Can’t wait to see the final results. |
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98valk
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« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2020, 06:30:56 PM » |
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spoke wheels will not handle the weight and esp., and more importantly the torque applied to the rear wheel.
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1383
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2020, 12:05:06 AM » |
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They use them on Harleys and the VTX had them. It should be ok.
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Robert
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« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2020, 05:30:47 AM » |
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I rode Beemers for quite a few decades. They're pretty bullet-proof. The Valk, however, is still the best bike I've had.
I've been thinking about a cafe style smaller lighter ride, I also think that thing is pretty as heck.
How about this, its really pretty and is totally retro. https://riders.drivemag.com/features/5-not-so-ordinary-motorcycles-henderson-streamliner/#&gid=1&pid=1I wonder if you could build this on a Goldwing frame. Hey I could see DDT riding in all his adventures with this  Randy Grubb's Decopods - Jay Leno's Garage https://youtu.be/lo_zXe2UWKwThere is a light blue art deco bike in this thread that I absolutely love. https://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/kj-henderson-4-1934.9682/ |
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« Last Edit: September 06, 2020, 05:38:23 AM by Robert »
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1383
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2020, 06:38:28 AM » |
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That's pretty cool but way above my metal shaping skill. I can machine and weld but that's panel beating at an art form level.
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2020, 08:43:37 AM » |
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I'm a huge fan of in-line 4 bikes. Henderson's are great bikes. I like to see them though. The body on those is nice, but,,,, It amazes me to see the sheet metal work some folks can do. I wish I had that talent. Some of guys Jay Leno has on are really freaking good. The guy with those little 3 wheelers built 'Pissed off Pete' and I think the 'Tank car.' |
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1383
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #15 on: September 06, 2020, 08:46:06 AM » |
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I'm a huge fan of in-line 4 bikes. Henderson's are great bikes. I like to see them though. The body on those is nice, but,,,, It amazes me to see the sheet metal work some folks can do. I wish I had that talent. Some of guys Jay Leno has on are really freaking good. The guy with those little 3 wheelers built 'Pissed off Pete' and I think the 'Tank car.' Yep. The builder was Randy Grubb. The Tank Car was originally called the Blastolene Special. |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #16 on: September 06, 2020, 09:53:47 AM » |
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I'm a huge fan of in-line 4 bikes. Henderson's are great bikes. I like to see them though. The body on those is nice, but,,,, It amazes me to see the sheet metal work some folks can do. I wish I had that talent. Some of guys Jay Leno has on are really freaking good. The guy with those little 3 wheelers built 'Pissed off Pete' and I think the 'Tank car.' Yep. The builder was Randy Grubb. The Tank Car was originally called the Blastolene Special. Yep, OK. I couldn't think of the name. |
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