I just bought a 1998 GL1500CT to restore/Mod

[Craig9409]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. My name is Craig Miller.

So it took me a few years to decide, but the final decision was the Honda Valkyrie. I wanted to find a project bike to do a resto-mod with.

I looked for a couple years at hundreds of bikes. I considered an antique Harley, Indian etc. But I just kept coming back to the Valkyrie. "Ya, but look at that engine man!" It hooked me.

So, I found a 1998 GL1500CT at a local dealership. I was wintering in Florida at the time so I more or less bought it over the internet, sight unseen except for the photos on it's web ad. I actually live near Tacoma, Washington... the state.

I currently own an Indian Chieftain, a Victory Vegas 8 ball, and a Yamaha XT250 dirt bike. I decided the Valkyrie was the bike I wanted to use in this resto-mod project. I know exactly nothing about this bike other than I think it is one of the most interesting looking motorcycles I have ever seen.

At this point, I have the bike such as it is. 16,250 miles. It's rough. It looks like it spent a lot of years outside but maybe had a cover over it. But it starts and runs great. I believe it has the right things wrong for what I have in mind. A diamond in the rough. I have so far obtained a Honda Service Manual and given it a full service and detailed inspection. I traced down a short in the right front turn signal and fixed some cracked vacuum lines. I fixed the turn signal switch which wouldn't cancel. I also changed the coolant and replaced the radiator cap. I believe it is ready for a road test. That's right, I've never ridden it except up my street and back 1/2 mile total.

I have a small non monetized Youtube channel of around 428 subscribers, and I will be doing regular Valkyrie videos and uploading them. So far I have 3 up on my channel. I did one on changing the coolant, one on removing the tank and checking the air filter.

The most recent video published today, is the basic concept in my head of the resto-mod project and the parts I have begun collecting over the past month. I'm looking for ideas and suggestions, tips and concerns from all of the Valkyrie people here. The experts and the enthusiasts of the F6C community. Suggestions on finding parts and mods people have done on their bikes.

I'm a retired city fireman so not a trained MC mechanic but I've been fooling around with mechanical things, and motorcycles since I was 12. I have the time and money to do this project and I was hoping I could get some of the forum people to look over my shoulder through my videos and be a part of this project.

If you are interested in this adventure, here is the link to my Youtube Channel. Warmest Regards, Craig https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQ2eXYtoQxq8Af5IQ1keIw

[The emperor has no clothes]

Welcome  look forward to what you do.

[Jess from VA]

Welcome Craig.

I think it is one of the most interesting looking motorcycles I have ever seen.

Me too.       

[TrapperAH1G]

Welcome!  I'm down the road (I5) in Toledo, south of Centralia.  Glad to have another Valk fanatic around.  I'm retired also, so if you need another pair of hands some time, just let me know.  Looking forward to your updates as I have a project bike I need to get started on!

[old2soon]

     Welcome to Our Sandbox! Retired Over the Road Driver! Do NOT ride near as much as I'd like but I am Still here!  And these Valkyries of Ours STILL git lotsa what is that? Git yers sorted out and ready to go learn to do the nickel trick! Again-Welcome. RIDE SAFE.

[Valkorado]

Welcome!  YouTube channel bookmarked.   

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome and congrats.  Just an observation, the chrome on leading edges appears to be more than 16,000 corroded. Valkyrie odometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.  My bike has 180,000 miles and if I put your speedo on my bike, it would be more believable than on your bike.  There's a fair chance you're looking at 116,000 miles  

[Led]

YOU have bought yourself a piece of history.   Whenever someone brings up the 1980 CBX I had sold decades ago.......I wish to PUKE!!

I won't make that mistake again, with my Valkyrie!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVmo1XaAUj8

[Jess from VA]

Valkyrie tachometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.

You mean speedometers, don't you?

The front chrome timing cover is what shows miles, not corrosion from sitting.

[Chrisj CMA]

Valkyrie tachometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.

You mean speedometers, don't you?

The front chrome timing cover is what shows miles, not corrosion from sitting.

Yes of course. What was I thinking

[Craig9409]

Welcome!  I'm down the road (I5) in Toledo, south of Centralia.  Glad to have another Valk fanatic around.  I'm retired also, so if you need another pair of hands some time, just let me know.  Looking forward to your updates as I have a project bike I need to get started on!

Hey, thanks for the offer Trapper. Ya, I'm in Lakewood over by Lake Louise. I ride down your way fairly often. I like those back roads between here and PeEll. Lots of great rides down there. I'll surely take you up on your offer when it comes time to pull the motor. Thanks for the kind words.

[Craig9409]

Welcome and congrats.  Just an observation, the chrome on leading edges appears to be more than 16,000 corroded. Valkyrie tachometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.  My bike has 180,000 miles and if I put your speedo on my bike, it would be more believable than on your bike.  There's a fair chance you're looking at 116,000 miles 

Yikes! I sure hope not. Remember this bike is a California bike, and I believe it is actually salt air corrosion. All of the nickel is corroded just like a salt water boat. I should be able to tell more when I gert into it. The motor runs beautiful.

[Craig9409]

Thanks for all the kind words and welcomes everyone. I really appreciate it. I'll let you know when the next video is posted. Craig

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQ2eXYtoQxq8Af5IQ1keIw

[Bagger John - #3785]

Welcome Craig.

I think it is one of the most interesting looking motorcycles I have ever seen.

Me too.       

Thirded.

I've owned and ridden a lot of motorcycles over the years, and as far as cruisers go the ONLY two which really stand out in a crowd are the Valkyrie and the Rocket III.

When an R-III can approach the Valk's reliability level I'll think about buying an example. Until then it's F6 for me, period.

Good luck on your project.

[Foozle]

Nice find - congrats!  I'm especially envious of your new bike lift.  How are you liking it?

My aging joints portend something similar in the very near future.

Terry

[old2soon]

Welcome and congrats.  Just an observation, the chrome on leading edges appears to be more than 16,000 corroded. Valkyrie tachometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.  My bike has 180,000 miles and if I put your speedo on my bike, it would be more believable than on your bike.  There's a fair chance you're looking at 116,000 miles 

Yikes! I sure hope not. Remember this bike is a California bike, and I believe it is actually salt air corrosion. All of the nickel is corroded just like a salt water boat. I should be able to tell more when I gert into it. The motor runs beautiful.

        I'm thinkin our Resident long voyager-DDT-is at or over 700000 miles on his Fat Lady!  NOT a typo-SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND! RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

Two ways I would use to discover if a Valk has flipped the 100k are.

Examine the chrome on the timing belt cover to see if it's significant shinier behind coolant pipe.

Mic the brake rotors.

[Chrisj CMA]

Two ways I would use to discover if a Valk has flipped the 100k are.

Examine the chrome on the timing belt cover to see if it's significant shinier behind coolant pipe.

Mic the brake rotors.

Except it’s quite easy and normal to replace brake rotors around 100K

[Craig9409]

Welcome Craig.

I think it is one of the most interesting looking motorcycles I have ever seen.

Me too.      

Thirded.

I've owned and ridden a lot of motorcycles over the years, and as far as cruisers go the ONLY two which really stand out in a crowd are the Valkyrie and the Rocket III.



When an R-III can approach the Valk's reliability level I'll think about buying an example. Until then it's F6 for me, period.

Good luck on your project.

OUTSTANDING! That was the other bike I was really looking into. But... I wanted to do a restomod. The Rocket 3 is a newer model and I wanted older. Rocket 3 being a Euro bike by Triumph, I don't believe it will ever get it's reliability up to the Honda standard. You buy a Triumph knowing that going in.

The Brits are wonderful for the most part but they build far less stuff than even we do now days and having owned a Triumph TR-7 back in the late 70's... I'd not be surprised to find it unreliable even all these years later. Not sure, but the TR-7 was so bad, I can't help my jadedness. Their stuff, Rocket III and the Thruxton look really nice. But hey, that Supermarine Spitfire was one awesome fighter aircraft back in WW-II.

That said, I went with the Valk and I am very pleased I did. I probably should have not bought it off the web sight unseen but for 15-20 decent photos. I probably would have held out for a better one. But if the miles are correct, at 16,250... I should be good for my purposes.

[Craig9409]

Nice find - congrats!  I'm especially envious of your new bike lift.  How are you liking it?

My aging joints portend something similar in the very near future.

Terry

Hi Terry, I wish I could tell you I'm elated with it but we are still in the early stages of dating. Right now I'm infatuated.

If you have an hour say over coffee, follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5m82PKQhUE&t=253s

to the most recent video I have produced so far about my new for me Valkyrie, and my dreams for it. This will tell you all you need to know about my particular situation with this bike. Please comment as you see fit.

[Craig9409]

Valkyrie tachometers go to zero at 100,000 miles.

You mean speedometers, don't you?

The front chrome timing cover is what shows miles, not corrosion from sitting.

Hi Jess from VA. You said something I wanted to clarify. The front chrome timing cover....

My front timing cover has one um... rock ding but is otherwise one of the better pieces of chrome on the bike. Not pitted or even really dull/scratched.

I can see that this cover would show mileage wear as it is in the cross hairs of the front tire debris path. Mine looks pretty dang good. The ding is small but a good sized or sharp edged rock hit there at velocity. Made a small dent, which I'm hoping my chrome guys can repair before re-chroming. They repair aluminum wheels before re-chroming according to their website, why not this small ding?

I have a really hard time thinking this bike has 116,000 vs the 16,000 showing. Yes, the chrome is rough but it looks like coastal salt air corrosion and years of outdoor storage perhaps with only a rain cover or not. I believe it had a cover as the seats are pretty good if they are original, especially the rider seat. It's not rotted off the bike like you'd expect if it were out in the wet.

I know salt corrosion causes this very kind of chrome damage from direct experience. I live near salt water. About 4 miles as the crow flys. When I bought my pristine Victory Vegas, I kept it in my boat storage garage I rent at the water's edge, for my small boat.  It immediately started to have symptoms of salt air attack on it's chrome. So I moved it home. Problem solved. I cut my teeth in boat restoration having done two, one big, and one small. Salt water kills chrome parts but quick near the water. I live near Puget Sound, an inland channel off the Pacific. This bike was sold in California and I suspect it lived a great many years near the sea. Just ride the coat of Florida at Bike Week between Daytona and St Augustine for example and look at the salt layer on all the chrome when you get there. You can see the salt haze. You best wash it off carefully.

The bike starts quickly and runs great, so I have to assume it has good compression, I intend to check that.

Your thoughts? Besides, a motorcycle in one piece with 116,000 miles that runs this good... seems to be at the far end of the motorcycle life span and a really rare dog unless the owner is really unique and in love with the machine over the long haul. I don't think I've ever seen a motorcycle near 100,000 but I know there must be the rare exception. like y'all say here. Also it is pure stock, lacking any aftermarket parts except it has a Cobra aftermarket chrome dip stick. The wiring harness looks untampered with. Fenders are straight and no rust. I think considering it is so stock... maybe only one owner? The valve covers are very nice, just a few small scratches. 116,250 miles... I seriously doubt it.  

[Craig9409]

Two ways I would use to discover if a Valk has flipped the 100k are.

Examine the chrome on the timing belt cover to see if it's significant shinier behind coolant pipe.

Mic the brake rotors.

OK, I'll do that and get back here with my results. Thanks a ton.

[Jess from VA]

Well a ding aside, if it doesn't look sandblasted from road mileage, maybe it is 16K.   

[Craig9409]

Two ways I would use to discover if a Valk has flipped the 100k are.

Examine the chrome on the timing belt cover to see if it's significant shinier behind coolant pipe.

Mic the brake rotors.

Front rotors are at .180" and the rear is at .290". It doesn't look like the fasteners have any witness marks or buggering. The front timing cover chrome is not much different if any across the span of it's length as compared to behind the coolant hose. Looks the same in brilliance. Also there is little sand blasting effect from dirt spray.

How do I post photos on the forum?

[Bagger John - #3785]

How do I post photos on the forum?

Get a Photobucket or other hosting account, upload and link them. You can also use the VRCC Photostash.

[Jess from VA]

If you use the search function for posting pictures a couple guys have given nice step by step how-to's several times.

Posting stuff already on the web is easy, posting your own pics takes use of a web hosting service/site. 

[Craig9409]

I got it. I found the instructions regarding the photo bucket thing. Thanks.
Ya, like I say, the timing cover is very pristine. No way it's got 116,000 worth of finish wear. Only one small ding and no difference in finish appearance. I'll post photos as soon as I figure that out.

[GWS]

Hello Craig and welcome!

Don't lose any sleep over 16,000 vs 116,000. The engine will be fine. You'll find that many Valk owners have put on several times more miles than 116,000, trouble free. The engine is indestructible. Your concern is what's going on in front of and behind the engine. The carbs may need cleaning/synching and the final drive may need servicing. You'll find all the help you need for those jobs here. Honestly, I wouldn't touch the engine, it's the least of your concerns.

I'm impressed with your shop! Between your tool collection & equipment and the info available here, this project will be a blast. Good luck!

[Craig9409]

Hello Craig and welcome!

Don't lose any sleep over 16,000 vs 116,000. The engine will be fine. You'll find that many Valk owners have put on several times more miles than 116,000, trouble free. The engine is indestructible. Your concern is what's going on in front of and behind the engine. The carbs may need cleaning/synching and the final drive may need servicing. You'll find all the help you need for those jobs here. Honestly, I wouldn't touch the engine, it's the least of your concerns.

I'm impressed with your shop! Between your tool collection & equipment and the info available here, this project will be a blast. Good luck!

Gee Thanks GWS. What a nice thoughtful comment. I appreciate that!

[Craig9409]

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Here are a couple photos of the rotors and the timing cover. The timing cover is difficult to really tell much but it is uniformly shiny across it's length.

Are these stock rotors? The fasteners look virgin.

[Craig9409]

OK, my photos didn't load up. I put them on Flickr. I suppose they are too large. I'm still working on how to get photos on here. I'll figure it out sooner or later.

[gordonv]

do a search for photimage.org , there has been many posts of how to. It's easy. I put my picture into folders, one labeled Forum, where I place pic that I have posted into threads, so that I don't remove/erase them, and my posts keep their pictures.

[Craig9409]

Nice find - congrats!  I'm especially envious of your new bike lift.  How are you liking it?

My aging joints portend something similar in the very near future.

Terry

Hi Terry, I wish I could tell you I'm elated with it but we are still in the early stages of dating. Right now I'm infatuated.

Terry... Sorry, the lift question, you asked how I like it? I love it. I looked at a lot of them online. I did a video of the unboxing and assembly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-RE8ytAsSA
which will show you all about it. It works wonderful. It has a 1500 pound weight limit so will do a trike as well. I almost didn't buy the side extensions but that would have been a huge mistake. They remove in a minute or two if needed and they are necessary in my case as my legs are not long enough to reach the floor when seated on the bike riding up onto the lift. They say to "push" never ride up on it. Ya, me and maybe Hercules could possibly push a Valk or an Indian Chieftain up the ramp on a good day.  But not me and Mrs Miller, whom I bother ceaselessly for heavy lifting jobs. Poor thing. So if you watch the video you will see me stop ready to ride up sans extensions, do a mental what if assessment and then realize riding up without them is a disaster in the making. Thank God for cause and effect thinking. 

Harbor freight has a lift. I looked at it. It was a poor example to what I bought. I decided I wanted air/hydraulic lifting rather than a manual foot pump jack mechanism.  Again, a great decision. Easy to take it up and down in seconds effortlessly. But for the Harbor Freight example, all the others I "looked at" were online at various web sites.

I have a healthy air supply in my garage. Here is a video short I did on that system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJgz0xLWLP0&t=1s

It gives me a constant 90-100 psi no matter the air hogging tool I am using. Most air tools run at a recommended 90, so I regulate down to that. Sanders and die grinders are the worst air hogs except for media blasting cabinets. My media cabinet stands right next to my compressor out in another building so it runs directly off the compressor supply tank, not my main garage air system. My Vapor Hone cabinet will also be in that same building running direct off the 80 gallon compressor tank. So if you have the air supply on hand, I recommend the air driven option. I really think even a small compressor would do it. I lived with a 30 gallon 2.5hp electric compressor for decades and though it struggled running a sander and die grinder, it got the job done. But a blasting cabinet? It couldn't do it. It took forever to blast and wait for it to recover so I could move on to more blasting. Arg. I had to go bigger when I got into media blasting.

So ya, I love the table. I got it from Amazon. It took 2-3 weeks to get to my house. You can move it around if needed (without the bike on it) and it is most helpful to my 66 year old skeleton. The bike goes both directions in about 5-8 seconds each way. Here is the link. I give it two thumbs up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HTDCJQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details