Radiator hose cover

[herc770]

I haven't had my 97 American Red Valkyrie long before I noticed I need to make some changes to the looks at the front.
I first put on a chrome K&N oil filter.
The bike already had a chrome radiator grill, but that black hose had to disappear.
While doing a coolant change, I decided to slip a 1-3/4 pre-heater alum foil hose over the existing hose and spring (the type that goes from the side of a car motor to the air cleaner). Although this looks "okay" at a distance, I'm sure it could look better.

Scanning through several Valkyrie pics on here, and it's hard to always see the hose, I notice some braided stainless ones. It was hard to tell if they were covers or actual braided stainless hoses.

Please post some options you guys have used.
My circle of friends are HD riders. They all tell me how great my bike looks and handles, I just want to keep her looking her best...(Side note: They've also told me I will be working on my bike a lot less then they do. I should have added this to the Harley Compliment thread...)

[Gryphon Rider]

Valkyries came with two types of "springs" on the lower rad hose, one black with gaps between the coils, and one shiny (I assume it's stainless steel) with the coils tight against each other.  My 2000 Tourer came with the latter type.

First type:


Second type:

[Michvalk]

The Interstate came with an aluminum looking slide-on cover. Can still order the cover from honda (I think). There were some braided covers available, but not sure if they can be had anymore. I think you could find the braided covers from the auto suppliers.

[Gear Jammer]

and there's the Show Chrome pipe that's scarce to find 

[Davet261]

I am in the same boat as you, I want to cover mine too, Rattlebars dont have them anymore.  I have been looking at the ones that the car part stores have, they are the ones that you put over existing hose, cut it to length and use the covers supplied with the kit. 

Jegs has an actual ss hose, it says it is easily bent to the shape you need and can be cut to length, it comes in 2 ft  section with different inserts for different size hose.  I just looked at them online yesterday and I think the cost of it was 66.00.  I think the hose dressing above were like 25 bucks from autozone.

I am going  with the one from Jegs

[T.P.]

BIG MIKE has 3 left. http://www.valkyrieblingandmore.com/sthosl.html

[salty1]

A stainless spring/slinky can be obtained from Honda. They were stock on 2000 models and newer. Cost about $26. Just changed mine out with the last coolant replacement. It does clean up the front end a lot. I even polished it, but I wouldn't waste my time doing it again. 

The vendor given below is just to show availability, item 22 in the schematic.

http://www.hondapartsline.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=148245&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=2000&fveh=3468

[MP]

BIG MIKE has 3 left. http://www.valkyrieblingandmore.com/sthosl.html

   on supporting our sponsers!

MP

[herc770]

Got my "slinky" today. Thanks everyone for the help.
It would now be great to see an example of how to install the upper hose clamp so it looks good.
Not sure if I need to catch a couple of loops or some other look.

[salty1]

Herc, the Honda product is long enough that it will fit/extend right next to your hose clamp and stay there. At least it did on my 97 Valk. Buy some new stainless steel hose clamps to help show off your new "slinky".