New here, new to Valks, NOT new to building cool stuff, howdy ya'll!

[archerdude]

Hello, My name is Jeff. I live in Nokomis FL (SW FLA) And I am ready to make something special out of something already special. I usually build up Dirt Bikes, ATV's (Banshee's) And Suzuki Samurai's, a FJ40 Land Cruiser as well. Well, I just Finished My last one, 87' Suzuki Samurai that is just nutz. Like many of you Im sure, I get off in my garage, not in Bars. I wanted to build a bad a$$ bike for a while, did my research, I wanted a HUGE engine, super reliable, low on maintenance, reasonably easy to get cool aftermaket parts, and somewhat reasonable to make my own parts/mods. well, here I am! I must say, these F6's are just freakin' cool. I have yet to see one close up that has been cleaned up, stripped down, slammed and jammed as I call it. Just pics on the web. So I will be doing lots of searches on this site, asking questions only when I can't find answers in the search area. But also, I know how forums work, share, share, share the build with pics! What I want to do is this..

buy my bike 1st, 97-2004 with reasonable miles, condition.
strip it down naked..
sell off any parts I don't want Example.. full dresser stuff/bags/fenders/bars/ excess chrome doo dads etc. etc. Fund build with proceeds.
Possibly rake it 6 degrees with Triple tree kit (need before after pics from you guys)
Lower rear with progressive rate springs.
Go to the DarkSide..
Lots of powdercoat, Wheels, body panels, tank maybe, frame maybe..Matte Black or Titanium Grey Satin.
De Smog.
Make my own fenders, prob weld rear one to swingarm,
LED blinkers/brakelight, possibly headlight too.
Make my own seat pan, possibly a removable little rear seat?
Do it all right on a very cost effective budget
Stock engine, not sure about exhaust yet..
Then Ride the hell out of it.
Maybe in time for Bike week? These are my goals. 

Can anyone share "before" and "after" pics of 6 degree raked bikes?
Im kinda on the fence on this one..

Thank you for your support!   Jeff

[gordonv]

Hi Jeff, nice to see you here, and good luck with your project. You might also want to add your location into your profile, might help with locals. Also the Florida chapter has their own section on the forum.

Yes, search is your friend. I believe most have said forget the rake unless you have a trike. There was a pick of a nice Valk that was completely painted, an IS Black/Red.

Just an FYI, the Valk GL1500 is from 97'-03', the 04' is the GL1800 Valkyrie Rune with the current GW engine ($19K).

[mike72903]

Just got into sidecars and it's typical to use triple trees to change the rake for easier steering with the hack but makes it unusable as a solo bike. With your background you may know how to overcome that.  Good luck on your build.  I'm just a cruiser guy and love the Valk as is, but different strokes......

[..]

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

[Hook#3287]

Hey Jeff, welcome to the world of Valks.  You're starting an addiction.

Do a Google picture search for Valkyrie Trikes and you should get some ideas on the rake.

Look here.
http://www.vtx-treme.com/vtx.html

Your seat pan will need to be built so you can remove it to get to the battery.

There's a real nice looking Interstate on the Classifieds that would give you lots to sell, but in my opinion, doing that is almost sacrilegious.

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

Hardtail?  I know he said progressive but maybe he's thinking options.

[archerdude]

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

by welding the rear fender to the swingarm, you have a constant space between the rear fender and the swingarm, The tire will not bottom out on the rear fender when the suspesion is compressed. Im think 1/2 inch space for the fender/swingarm. I want the fenders to hug the tires lines. Looks cool, and gives the bike a low profile. 1 thing though, I have to figure out a small removable rear seat for a passenger that still has structural integrity. Lots to think up!

[..]

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

by welding the rear fender to the swingarm, you have a constant space between the rear fender and the swingarm, The tire will not bottom out on the rear fender when the suspesion is compressed. Im think 1/2 inch space for the fender/swingarm. I want the fenders to hug the tires lines. Looks cool, and gives the bike a low profile. 1 thing though, I have to figure out a small removable rear seat for a passenger that still has structural integrity. Lots to think up!

Thanks.

[gordonv]

There's a real nice looking Interstate on the Classifieds that would give you lots to sell, but in my opinion, doing that is almost sacrilegious.

I too feel the same. But then, I think most of the MC wreckers are taking apart bikes they bought running.

I would look for a non-clean titled IS bike. I think the last one I saw was only $3K. Still have all the goodies to sell to fund the project.

There are some differences between the IS and the Std/Tourer models. Biggest item that you might care about is the main wire harness and the dash. The Std/T tank is 5.3, and the IS is 6.9 gal, and is worth the money to swap out and sell if you don't need long legs on the bike or want the esthetically larger tank.

I think there has been a post in the last year, about the differences between the models and years. If there isn't, we should start on, and then move it over to the Shop Talk (try there too) section for all.

[Hook#3287]

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

by welding the rear fender to the swingarm, you have a constant space between the rear fender and the swingarm, The tire will not bottom out on the rear fender when the suspesion is compressed. Im think 1/2 inch space for the fender/swingarm. I want the fenders to hug the tires lines. Looks cool, and gives the bike a low profile. 1 thing though, I have to figure out a small removable rear seat for a passenger that still has structural integrity. Lots to think up!

Thanks.

Didnt John Schmidt just do that with his 1200?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Weld the rear fender to the swingarm?

Doesn't the swingarm move up and down as the shocks compress/decompress.

by welding the rear fender to the swingarm, you have a constant space between the rear fender and the swingarm, The tire will not bottom out on the rear fender when the suspesion is compressed. Im think 1/2 inch space for the fender/swingarm. I want the fenders to hug the tires lines. Looks cool, and gives the bike a low profile. 1 thing though, I have to figure out a small removable rear seat for a passenger that still has structural integrity. Lots to think up!

Thanks.

Didnt John Schmidt just do that with his 1200?

Yes, about 1/2 way down there is a pic of it. If I remember he rivited it instead of welding.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,90808.0.html

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I have a seat pan from a Standard that I would be interested in selling. I am working on a project bike as well and have parts that I am replacing. Also have an unmolested set of exhaust headers that have some rust that is deeper than surface - perfect for powder coating.
Send me an email if you are interested.
Jim

[gordonv]

Also have an unmolested set of exhaust headers that have some rust that is deeper than surface - perfect for powder coating.
Send me an email if you are interested.
Jim

Some parts are worth more if in good condition, and then it would be better to buy something with blemishes to do your customizing/modifications to.

[archerdude]

Thanks for all the knowledge you guys are sharing. I know for some the thought of stripping down a nice touring bike makes you cringe.. But honestly, after researching for at least 6 months,  I cannot find any bike to customise that tops a valkyrie.  The 6 cylinder runs like a sewing machine of an engine that's just hangs out all over the place like a juicy set of double d's on a swimsuit model convinced me, and the reliability rep. V twins have their benifit but smooth isn't one of them, and v twins are everywhere.  6 cylinder engine is so unique!

[Hook#3287]

You certainly do not have to convince us here, about the awesomeness of Valkyries and the advantages over a V-twin, they have.

Good luck in your quest and make sure you take us along.

[archerdude]

I have a few questions about interchangeable parts. What parts are interchangeable with a Valkyrie and a Gold Wing or any other bike? Are there fuel tank, seat or seat pans, fenders (front or rear),  or wheels that are interchangeable or possible with a little modification?

I'm thinking about keeping all the original parts and just setting them aside and customizing the parts off another bike. That way I could easily put it back to stock if I wanted to later, (or if I get bored with it ).

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge! - Jeff

[Hook#3287]

Whether good or bad, not many parts are interchangeable with a Valk for customizing.  There are some mechanical parts, like fork seals, carb parts, stuff like that.

There may be  a few things from the VTX, like headlight case, forks I think, but really she's a girl of her own.

Just makes it so you got to use your imagination. 

[gordonv]

The GL1500 GW drive shaft and yoke have been replaced by the latest Valk ones.

There is talk of the GW rear swing arm is transferable to the Valkyrie, then you can use their complete rear, drive and wheel. A lot more used parts available.

Like said, some minor parts are transferrable, between the Valk and other bikes, but nothing you are most likely looking for. Research and measuring might find something usable or can be fabed up. Like maybe another front wheel and custom made spacers to hold it between the forks.