Got my free Valkyrie forks for the 1200 today.

[John Schmidt]

A VRCC member had a set with the chrome peeling off, they look awful right now. Bad prep job on the chroming looks like. He offered them for the cost of shipping, been sitting gathering dust and taking up space since he replaced them quite a while back. I jumped on them, going to take some work but I have the air tools to do the heavy stuff first. Probably start with some moderately coarse paper on my DA sander, then progress to lighter grade paper as they come clean. I stuck them in place with the Valk triple trees and it looks killer, it's a wider and heavier front end than the original 1200...especially with Eddie's tank sitting up there also. I tested the tank for leaks, good on that. Just hope I can float the acorn around so I can get it out. Been rolling around in there for a while now. Next step will be to weld some brackets to the frame for mounting the tank, and some others for relocating the stuff where the tank will now set. Then it will be time to prime the frame and swingarm. It's going to be a while before this project is on the road, but it won't be your daddy's Gold Wing when done.    I need to go looking for a small front fender, something similar to the VTX unit that some members are putting on their Valk, school is still out on a rear fender though. It's kinda fun poking around looking for ideas and stuff.

[Colin]

Come on John post some photos as you go along words are great but pictures are even better.  The you have a record of before and after.

[R J]

Yeah John, what Colinn said,

Pictures - Pictures -Pictures - Pictures -Pictures - Pictures -Pictures - Picture.

[John Schmidt]

Geez, you guys are like an impatient virgin! So far there isn't much to show but I'll put up what I have thus far. Basically, the bike has gone from this(the one on the left):





To this:



And this:


The steering head bearings are the same for the Valk and the 1200 so I'm using a spare set of Valk triple trees. They're wider, heavier looking and looks kinda neat up there. My friend Bill Gurney(Grumpy) in Tampa is going to turn out a spacer to use on the stem since it's a bit longer than the 1200. I have sourced a front Valk wheel and already have the calipers which I'll rebuild before mounting. The 1200 rear wheel will have to be used due to the diameter of the axle...it's smaller than the Valk. I discovered the drive flange from the Valk will fit the final drive on the 1200 which would allow me to use the Valk rear wheel...except for the axles size. I can't use the Valk final because the bolt pattern doesn't match on the swingarm. To use it(Valk s/a is too wide by quite a bit), I'd have to cut off the end of both swingarms and weld the Valk end on to the 1200 s/a. Too much $$ to mess with it. The tank you see in the pics is from a Valk Std. and is just sitting on the frame for now. I needed it there so determine if the handlebars will clear using Valk stuff....which is does. I've sandblasted the frame, swingarm, and centerstand. Soon as I weld in some new mounts for the tank, I'll be sanding them all down and priming them. Later today I'll try to remember to take a couple shots of the forks loosely in place, probably try sanding them down a bit first. It appears they were "flash chromed" because it's real thin and sharp as a razor blade due to the peeling. Right now they're quite ugly, we'll see what the day brings.

As a side note, I found a coupon for a flux wire welder at Harbor Freight. It's a 90 amp unit I can get for $89.99, will do 3/16" metal which is more than I'll ever use it for. Figure that will handle all the welding on this project.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Big change from the day we went and got that thing huh?  Pretty amazing how much you have gotten done. Will swing by tomorrow if you need a little help and see how it's coming. Pictures do help tell the tale!!

[Daniel Meyer]

The 1200 rear wheel will have to be used due to the diameter of the axle...it's smaller than the Valk

Perhaps bearings could be sourced that could take care of that...same outer diameter but different inner? Those and then a couple custom spacers?

[John Schmidt]

The 1200 rear wheel will have to be used due to the diameter of the axle...it's smaller than the Valk

Perhaps bearings could be sourced that could take care of that...same outer diameter but different inner? Those and then a couple custom spacers?

Daniel, I thought of that but sourcing the parts would have been time consuming. Grumpy offered to turn out a spacer for me, easiest method of making it fit. It will sit on top of the upper bearing same as that big notched nut does, the one that we torque down, then that nut will be screwed down on top and the locking nut on that. I've tried it out with numerous large washers I have in my forty-eleven cans of nuts, bolts, screws, and washers. It tightens down just fine so I know a spacer will work.

[indiandave]

John

 I have a 84 I/S GL1200 that I'm working on for my Dad. I just went to the Darkside on my 01 I/S. I see your Darksider too.

 So dad wants to go too, but from what I have read on the internet - is that the Stock rim on the 1200 need the rim cut down to get a 15 in CT on it or make a drag car rim work. The older bike rims where made with a salfty bead from what was stated and it need to be ground off to make the CT fit rim.

 So if you go with the Valk rim you will not have that problem putting a CT and it would match the frount end rim. And just to make sure that I'm clear on post. That the valk rim will macth up with the GW diff - but the GL axle is a smaller dia. than the Valk's rim bearings.

David

[John Schmidt]

That the valk rim will macth up with the GW diff - but the GL axle is a smaller dia. than the Valk's rim bearings.
Dave, the five fingered drive flange for the Valk fits into the 1200 final drive. If the axles were the same size, that would allow me to use a Valk rear wheel, but you're right....the 1200 is smaller in diameter. I also can't use the Valk swingarm due to its width, that would allow me to use everything from a Valk both in front and back. There is a possibility I might be able to cut a section out of the middle of the spare Valk swingarm I have and make it the same width as the 1200's. That would accomplish the goal of using the Valk rear.

[FloridaValkRyder]

That the valk rim will macth up with the GW diff - but the GL axle is a smaller dia. than the Valk's rim bearings.
Dave, the five fingered drive flange for the Valk fits into the 1200 final drive. If the axles were the same size, that would allow me to use a Valk rear wheel, but you're right....the 1200 is smaller in diameter. I also can't use the Valk swingarm due to its width, that would allow me to use everything from a Valk both in front and back. There is a possibility I might be able to cut a section out of the middle of the spare Valk swingarm I have and make it the same width as the 1200's. That would accomplish the goal of using the Valk rear.

Let me see here John...Valk front end, Valk rear end, Valk tank...Might be easier to just buy an old Valk and bolt the 1200 engine to it..

[John Schmidt]

That the valk rim will macth up with the GW diff - but the GL axle is a smaller dia. than the Valk's rim bearings.
Dave, the five fingered drive flange for the Valk fits into the 1200 final drive. If the axles were the same size, that would allow me to use a Valk rear wheel, but you're right....the 1200 is smaller in diameter. I also can't use the Valk swingarm due to its width, that would allow me to use everything from a Valk both in front and back. There is a possibility I might be able to cut a section out of the middle of the spare Valk swingarm I have and make it the same width as the 1200's. That would accomplish the goal of using the Valk rear.

Let me see here John...Valk front end, Valk rear end, Valk tank...Might be easier to just buy an old Valk and bolt the 1200 engine to it..

Jeff, that would take all the fun(read "frustration") out of the build. And I think I spoke too soon on the 1200 axle, it appears to be the same diameter as the Valk....just shorter. The spacers fit on either axle. So, now I think I'll be able to use a Valk rear wheel and the five fingered flange off a Valk, along with the 1200 final and possibly the 1200 axle. School is still out on which rear caliper. I also found out the swingarm bearings are the same in either bike, which brings me back to possibly narrowing the spare Valk swingarm I have. That would sure solve some problems out back.

Anyone ever start a project and later wonder why in blazes you ever did? Not there yet....can't speak for Rita! 

[FloridaValkRyder]

Jeff, that would take all the fun(read "frustration") out of the build. And I think I spoke too soon on the 1200 axle, it appears to be the same diameter as the Valk....just shorter. The spacers fit on either axle. So, now I think I'll be able to use a Valk rear wheel and the five fingered flange off a Valk, along with the 1200 final and possibly the 1200 axle. School is still out on which rear caliper. I also found out the swingarm bearings are the same in either bike, which brings me back to possibly narrowing the spare Valk swingarm I have. That would sure solve some problems out back.

Anyone ever start a project and later wonder why in blazes you ever did? Not there yet....can't speak for Rita! 

I think I might be able to though..judging by our last conversation.. 

[flsix]

John, our shop manager at the farm is looking for a front end and front brake parts for his GL. If you are interested let me know.

Jeff

[John Schmidt]

John, our shop manager at the farm is looking for a front end and front brake parts for his GL. If you are interested let me know.

Jeff

Jeff, tell him to check out the Naked Gold Wing Club at the link below. They have a classified section to browse through. And, watch for a guy named Roncar that posts on there, he's located in the Lakeland area and has a number of old Wings. He may have something for your manager. Like the VRCC, it costs nothing to join.

http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/index.php

[flsix]

Thanks John, I'll give him the link.