When I sold my last GoldWing, 4 or 5 years ago, I didn't think I'd ever have another motorcycle. Being Junior at work (after 13 years), I figured I'd never get off 2nd shift, with Tuesday/Wednesday off. No one wants to be back by 1:00 pm Saturday and Sunday, so I can go to work, and no one is off to ride on Tuesday/Wednesday, except the retirees, and most of them aren't up until 3:00 pm...
However, when I settled with the insurance, over an accident that I wasn't at fault for, I ended up with a new truck, and enough left over for an economical car, or maybe, just maybe, a motorcycle. Seeing as I had a Saturn that got 42 mpg, I realized I could get a motorcycle. The first ones I looked at were the Valks, since I had fallen in love with one back in 2000, but couldn't afford it at the time. Plus, I already had two Wings...
I've owned mine just over a year, and pretty much have it right where I want it. I cruised VRCC before I bought it, and joined as soon as I knew I had it. Every project I've done, has been after doing a search on the forums, and learning as much as I could, before tackling them. I can't believe the amount of help that is available, and I couldn't/wouldn't have done 1/2 without the forum. I want to thanks each and every one of you, even if you might not have given technical response and help, you gave moral support. It's what makes the VRCC a great forum!!
What I've Done in the Last Year:
- Memphis Fats Windshield
- Memphis Shades Lowers
- Stebel Horn and Mount
- Permanent Mounted Lift Adapter
- Ultimate Seats and Backrests
- Interstate Gas Tank
- Cobra Light Bars
- Red Running/Brake/Turn signals on the rear
- HitchDoc Trailer Hitch
- Homemade Trailer
- Interstate Bags
- Bag Rails
- Eight relays, isolating all the electrical
- Garage Door Opener, activated by High Beams
- Fender Rack
- Fender Tips, Front and Rear
- Car Tire
- Shock Bushings
- Wheel Dampers
- 12V Socket
- I'm sure a few things I'll remember as soon as I hit "Post"
Things I've Yet To Do:
- Interstate Exhaust Tips (in the works, I hope!!)
- Fuel Gauge, maybe a set with oil pressure/water temp
- Clock
- Finish painting the bags
- Keying the bags, to the ignition and gas tank
Major Things I've Learned Here:
- How to service the rear end
- Wiring, start to finish, right and wrong
- Oil and Lubricants (don't get me started!)
- All the idiosyncrasies that make the Valk, the Valk!
And, maybe the one thing that caught me MOST by surprise - that I can keep a spray bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide in the bags, and spray it on the windshield when I stop for gas. When done filling, the bugs wipe right off!! I can't recall who mentioned it, but I'm eternally grateful!
Thanks again to all, looking forward to the next year, where the majority of time will be RIDING, and not WORKING ON IT!
Roger
