Mouthbreather
Member
Posts: 5
First Valkyrie.....Last motorcycle.
Iowa Park, TX
|
 |
« on: October 02, 2023, 05:55:41 AM » |
|
I'm new to the forum so bear with me if this is a redundant issue but I recently bought a 1997 Valkyrie that is pretty much in perfect condition (18,000 miles) from a guy up in Chickasha OK......The only issue is it's missing the right side cover.....Then I found out how hard it is to come by these and ended up buying one from a guy in Canada. Don't ask how much. But my question is that if these things are so fragile around the clip area has anyone tried applying a layer of fiberglass to the backside right over the clip area and then trimming it back to reveal the hole? It seems like a little reinforced backing might go a long ways in preventing it from breaking in the future.....Or at least it does in my mind. Let me know your thoughts before I accidently sacrifice this extremely expensive chunk of plastic.....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Valker
Member
Posts: 2995
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
|
|
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2023, 05:58:23 AM » |
|
Just greasing the grommets so the “spikes” slip in and out easier and being really careful with your movements when slipping out the front latches really goes a LONG way in not breaking them.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
|
|
|
hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16779
upstate
South Carolina
|
|
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2023, 06:35:31 AM » |
|
There's a paragraph in the little owner's manual (did you get one?)
about how to remove the side cover, which plug to pull from which
grommet first and so on... makes it pretty safe... lube the grommets
when you pop it back on...
I've seen people whip their side covers off as if they were made of
titanium or something... really they're made of unobtainium...
-Mike
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15209
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
|
|
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2023, 08:33:38 AM » |
|
The big mistake most make is they attempt to pull the covers straight off, that's usually when things go south. Pull it loose from the back and tip it out slightly which allows the front section to unlatch. And yes, they aren't growing on trees these days. If you find a good one now...it has a price that will sink a ship.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
The emperor has no clothes
|
|
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2023, 08:56:18 AM » |
|
I think fiberglass doesn’t stick well to the ABS. Somewhere in Shoptalk (I think) is an article of guys fixing them with various staples and stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98valk
|
|
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2023, 10:09:23 AM » |
|
silicone grease aka bulb grease is only lubricate to use. don't use silicone spray which has additives which can ruin the rubber grommets.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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
|
|
|
|
RonW
|
|
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2023, 10:21:41 AM » |
|
Another thing, avoid dropping side cover on the floor. If it lands on its backside, guess what hits the ground foist ..... yes, that hinge slot. For a brief moment in time you're relieved that it didn't land on the front side and get scratched up. Only to soon realize that the side cover is broken at the hinge. Ughh!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2000 Valkyrie Tourer
|
|
|
|
Hook#3287
|
|
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2023, 04:18:31 AM » |
|
Back in around 2001 or 2002 I broke off one of my side cover tabs.
I installed Velcro square tabs on the frame and the cover back and they've been holding for 22 years and over 100k.
I always thought I would do a better fix, but never have.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
da prez
|
|
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2023, 04:56:01 AM » |
|
I have repaired several. KEY is , only black plastic ABS glue , not multi purpose glue will bond to ABS. There are other ways , but this has worked for me.
da prez
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Mouthbreather
Member
Posts: 5
First Valkyrie.....Last motorcycle.
Iowa Park, TX
|
|
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2023, 04:57:52 AM » |
|
That sounds like the way to do it. All I know is if they ever break I'm gonna find a way to make it work before I buy another one. The only reason I bought this one was because it was totally missing.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Chrisj CMA
|
|
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2023, 05:20:55 AM » |
|
Just don’t break them.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
98valk
|
|
« Reply #12 on: October 03, 2023, 08:25:54 AM » |
|
Back in around 2001 or 2002 I broke off one of my side cover tabs.
I installed Velcro square tabs on the frame and the cover back and they've been holding for 22 years and over 100k.
I always thought I would do a better fix, but never have.
same here, one tab broke, velcro fixed it. then I was able to pick up a few spares yrs ago on ebay before prices tripled. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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
|
|
|
|
Grey wolf oz
|
|
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2023, 02:41:55 AM » |
|
I'm new to the forum so bear with me if this is a redundant issue but I recently bought a 1997 Valkyrie that is pretty much in perfect condition (18,000 miles) from a guy up in Chickasha OK......The only issue is it's missing the right side cover.....Then I found out how hard it is to come by these and ended up buying one from a guy in Canada. Don't ask how much. But my question is that if these things are so fragile around the clip area has anyone tried applying a layer of fiberglass to the backside right over the clip area and then trimming it back to reveal the hole? It seems like a little reinforced backing might go a long ways in preventing it from breaking in the future.....Or at least it does in my mind. Let me know your thoughts before I accidently sacrifice this extremely expensive chunk of plastic.....
I damaged one also, and purchased a spare set, But i tip from one of the guys in the forum, Install a instrument case latch on the side cover Works a treat ! This is the only image i have up, sorry its dark and raining so no new images ! Zoom in you will see it   |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: October 05, 2023, 02:44:15 AM by Grey wolf oz »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
psckam
|
|
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2023, 04:51:45 AM » |
|
I recall reading somewhere , a fellow enthusiast repaired the cover using neodymium magnets . Sounds like a good idea to me.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Bagger John - #3785
|
|
« Reply #15 on: October 05, 2023, 06:27:29 AM » |
|
silicone grease aka bulb grease is only lubricate to use. don't use silicone spray which has additives which can ruin the rubber grommets.
Still have my tube of GE-branded grease from back in the day. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
