My Intro and my noob questions

[DrewDanube]

I was glad to meet a few of the Houston people last week.  I am the proud new owner of a 2000 Valkyrie I/S in the blue/silver paint scheme.  I am VERY happy with it and it is definitely THE bike that I wanted this go-round.  I'm a previous owner of a very odd list of bikes, FZ-6, Bandit 1200s, KLR-650, V-Max and currently still have a Hyosung GV-650. (yes, its a great bike, if anyone is interested in details I'll be happy to talk your ear off). 
So..I do have a few questions...I'm sure there are answers somewhere but this is good so I get to know everyone a bit too. 
1. Progressive front fork springs? Yes, no, maybe, it depends?  I feel that when I brake the bike dives alot.  I'm used to dive but it seems more noticable on this bike, which is incidentally the heaviest i've ever owned.
2. SS brake lines?  I saw one listed at hondadirectline but the picture only shows one for the front.  It would be dumb to take all that time and effort just to change out one line...so I wonder if the photo is just a generic Galfer photo.  Any insight? 
3. After-market brake pad rec's?  I'd like to maximize brake feel, modulation and power.  Again, i realize that I've double the weight without improving the brakes from my Bandit and I drive accordingly...but I'd like the stopping option to be as good as it can be if I need it. 
4. Stereo questions:  a) My FM cuts out from time to time...I switch to AM and it comes back no problem. b) Upgraded speakers...any recommendations? c) hooking up an mp3 player...is it really as easy as plugging in a 1/8th inch cable and running it somewhere convienent? 
I think that is it...at least for now.  I've researched the hell out of valkyrie's but either the answers to some of these questions are lost in a fog of other readings or I've just missed them. 

Thanks, in advance...I'm looking forward to responses and meeting everyone here.
Drew

[Daniel Meyer]

I was glad to meet a few of the Houston people last week.  I am the proud new owner of a 2000 Valkyrie I/S in the blue/silver paint scheme. 

Welcome! I'll help with what I can...

1. Progressive front fork springs? Yes, no, maybe, it depends?  I feel that when I brake the bike dives alot.  I'm used to dive but it seems more noticable on this bike, which is incidentally the heaviest i've ever owned.

Definately. They are a significant improvement.

2. SS brake lines?  I saw one listed at hondadirectline but the picture only shows one for the front.  It would be dumb to take all that time and effort just to change out one line...so I wonder if the photo is just a generic Galfer photo.  Any insight? 

Not sure what lines they are selling. I like stainless lines...they tend to give much better feedback and feel. I've used them on other bikes. I've not swapped the lines on the Valk yet.

3. After-market brake pad rec's?  I'd like to maximize brake feel, modulation and power.  Again, i realize that I've double the weight without improving the brakes from my Bandit and I drive accordingly...but I'd like the stopping option to be as good as it can be if I need it. 

I've not found any better than the stockers...the OEM pads give excellent feel and feedback. The EBC's are not as good...I've not tried any others.

[R J]

Brake pads.  As Daniel says, OEM are great pads on the OEM rotors.

If for some reason or another you happen to warp the OEM rotors and replace em with the EBC rotors, then definetly go with the EBC pad's on their rotors.........

I'm assuming it is the difference in the steel in the rotors.  EBC pads and EBC rotors are real good stoppers......  I've had them on my bike for about 60,000 miles now.........

[DrewDanube]

I'll keep that in mind if/when the rotors go south
The lines are Galfer on HDL.  http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/stores/product.asp?pid=369&str=2&ID=36591838
For the price, I'd assume it is a full kit.  I'm probably going to call them Tuesday.

[R J]

If ya only get 1 line, that would be the line from the cylinder to the splitter block on the under side of the triple tree.

You would need 2 more to go on to the calipers........

If ya do one end, then ya also need to do the rear end for maximum stopping power,. which the phat lady has mucho of..........

[Wanderer]

Welcome, Drew!

I would put a "ditto" on Dan'l's response. I bet the stereo prob is related to cb or signal strength? Maybe Patron will chime in on that one?

Some of us DFW folks will be in Houston for the Ride For Kids, http://www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/calendar/2008/houston08.html this next weekend. I hope to see a bunch of you Saturday night and/or Sunday morning at the ride!

Frank (camera right) may even ride his Valk since it is a local ride for him. Gary (camera left) will be the guy w/ the black Valk hack (sidecar). I'll be the guy w/ the tan and a camera. ~Jeff

[DrewDanube]

Regarding the radio: the issue happens with my cell phone with FM transmitter in my pocket...so signal strength shouldn't be an issue...
I'm planning on making that ride.  Trying to drag my friend and his dad (who has a GL1500 with factory sidecar) as well.
Andrew

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I'm sorryt I haven't met you ,but I'm on the north side near Humble and I drive a 2000 I/S if I can help give me a shout.

[Rocketman]

Andrew:
It was good to meet you last week, and I'm glad to see you're on the board.
Your MP3 questions are VERY easily solved.  Yes, it's as easy as plugging into a jack, but that jack can hide sometimes, depending on who shoved the wiring back in the last time the sidecover was removed.  I'm going to try to be out there some time on Sunday (while not riding, for reasons you saw Wed.).  I'll help you find the right jack then.  I'm emailing my phone number so you can find me in the crowd.
FM signal strength:  Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas, unless you have an antenna connection issue.  We can look at that too.  Although, if it's coming back after you switch to AM, that's unlikely.
Brake lines:  They'd better be selling all three lines for the front as a set, and I've never seen anything other than the whole set for sale.  The rear is usually separate, but the front requires three lines in and of itself.  Good to ask them just to be sure, cause you never can tell with some vendors.
For your other questions, I can only repeat hearsay.  I'll let the folks that know speak on that.

Mark

[SideCar]

Welcome to the group

[HayHauler]

Andrew:
It was good to meet you last week, and I'm glad to see you're on the board.
Your MP3 questions are VERY easily solved.  Yes, it's as easy as plugging into a jack, but that jack can hide sometimes, depending on who shoved the wiring back in the last time the sidecover was removed.  I'm going to try to be out there some time on Sunday (while not riding, for reasons you saw Wed.).  I'll help you find the right jack then.  I'm emailing my phone number so you can find me in the crowd.
FM signal strength:  Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas, unless you have an antenna connection issue.  We can look at that too.  Although, if it's coming back after you switch to AM, that's unlikely.
Brake lines:  They'd better be selling all three lines for the front as a set, and I've never seen anything other than the whole set for sale.  The rear is usually separate, but the front requires three lines in and of itself.  Good to ask them just to be sure, cause you never can tell with some vendors.
For your other questions, I can only repeat hearsay.  I'll let the folks that know speak on that.

Mark

THANKS MARK!!!  I haven't been registered on this board for 2 hours yet and already got some help.  I found the connector under the right side cover to connect my mp3 player!  For those that haven't found it yet, there are 2 wires that are smaller than the other ones that come out of the radio.  One is the antenna connection for the FM/AM radio and the other one is the mini stereo connector for an mp3 player.  The "ON/OFF" button on the left side above the push to talk toggles through radio, cb, radio/cb, aux/cb, and aux.  This connector is for the AUX position of this toggle switch.

Mayun!  ZZTOP is back on the Valk!!!

Hay   
(edit)  Now it is time to get out and RIDE!~  on a day like today.  (/edit)