Help I want someone to ride my Valkyrie- I live in Lakewood, WA. I can meet you.

[Craig9409]

I've been posting up my videos and questions on the 1500 Tech board.

A quick history. I was looking for a bike to restore. I really like the looks of the vintage Valkyries so I bought one at Brothers in Bremerton. There's a story behind that purchase too.

It has a hard 1-2 shift with a grind. A lot of people are telling me it's my shifting effort... too slow... too light... nature of the beast... wrong boots... and the rest.

I firmly believe I have a shift fork or shift dog/gear problem. But... I'm brand new to this particular bike. I have other motorcycles and obviously, they all shift great. I'm not a nube... I've been riding various motorcycles since I was 12. I'm now 66. I own four motorcycles currently, and countless over the years. I don't think it's me but who knows.

This is the 2nd Valkyrie I've seen in the flesh and the only one I have ever ridden. The bike other than this 1-2 shift issue runs great, shows 16,450 miles which could be 116,450??? It's cosmetically terrible by my standards, but it's getting a full makeover. That's why I bought this one.

I would like to meet up with another owner who would be willing to give my motorcycle even a quick test ride and shift it a bit. All the other gears shift without issue. Another forum member said I should post over here on the NW forum and try to find another owner to compare with. Great idea.

Would anyone be willing to meet up with me on a sunny day soon to check this issue out. I live in West Lakewood near the town of Steilacoom. Lunch is on me. I'm retired so I'm available most any time or day. We can make a ride out of it.

I've decided to chronicle this project on my little (less than 500 subscribers) Youtube Channel. I have put up several videos so far. Obviously, I'm not monetized at Youtube. I'm just doing it for fun. Here is a link to my channel, and the videos are all organized on a Honda Valkyrie play list.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sciencediver1/videos

Here is a specific video link to the only ride of any distance I have ever done on this bike, which was from my house to the small timber town of PeEll in Southwest WA, and looping back home via Centralia, Tenino, Rainier, Yelm, on mostly rural backroads. The loop was 192 miles. Lots of curves and beautiful countrysides, farms, streams and fresh air. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbfW_A13b30&t=4s

I'm getting ready to take this bike completely apart for the restoration work, chrome and paint. I really would like a seasoned Valkyrie owner to give it a ride and tell me if my 1-2 shift is "normal". I don't think it is. Again, I'll buy lunch. I know just the place, since I have lived in the area for 52 years.

My email is axys1552016@gmail.com, or reply here and we can trade cell numbers privately. The weather is looking really good over the next several days... let's go riding. Anyone???

My name is Craig.

[msb]

Hi Craig, as an owner of a 99 Valk Interstate for 21 years, I can tell you that a "hard" shift from 1st to 2nd is fairly normal...from my experience at least. As I have Cobra floorboards on my bike, it can be difficult at times to make sure the Left foot is fully under the shifter peg if not concentrating enough, and a clunky or even mild "grinding" can happen. A couple of things I've done over the years to help alleviate this are: adjusting the shifter lever Up a notch or two make make more room between the peg and the floorboard; switch to a lower profile boot (Alpenstars); changed to a premium semi-synthetic oil (Motul 5100) and change oil regularly (always seems to shift smoother with new oil); and finally, add the Shifter Buddy to properly align and take the slop out of the shifter arm. All of these make shifting smoother than it was initially but still on occasion if I'm not positive enough on that first shift, it can be a bit rough from 1st to 2nd at higher RPMs. If I shift to 2nd at lower RPMs, it's always pretty smooth. I've put almost 200,000 km on my bike, and it's been this way since I got it...with the improvements from the changes I've made as noted above. Others may have different thoughts or experiences.
I'm up just above the Sumas border here in BC...be glad to take your bike out for a spin to compare if you're ever up this way...or let you know next time I'm down for a ride into WA.
Also, there will be a good collection of Valks and long-time Valk owners up at our Valhalla rally in Grand Forks BC early in September...you are more than welcome to come join us (check out the posting on this page).

Cheers, Mike (msb)

[RaginTxn]

howdy! I find (and honestly find almost every Honda I've ever owned, but especially the cruisers) to have 1st to 2nd feel like shifting a tractor almost. The valk has been the same and I consciously pay attention to my 1 > 2 shift. Everything else is just smooth a butter. As well - would be happy to meet up on a Saturday for me. One thing I did notice is that when I went from rotella T6 back to M1 it was not AS smooth - dunno what oil you're running, but I've found it to make a difference.