Twenty years...

[Bagger John - #3785]

I don't post much (if at all) on the General Board but thought I'd look back on twenty years of Valkyrie ownership amongst fellow gearheads.

My 2000 Tourer was ridden home on April 10th, 2000. Almost a year later to the day, a 2000 Interstate (which sat next to the Tourer in the showroom) followed me home. I'd have bought their Standard but it was totaled when a car came careening through the showroom window late one night.

Immediately, the modifications started. I was familiar with this site for a year prior to buying my first one and many of the Valkyries featured in Just Pics gave me ideas. At 'peak Valkyrie' there were 5 of them in my garage, all set up differently. Three were eventually sold to make room and free up money for other projects.

Those F6s pretty much defined my riding life and still do. They've outlasted a wife, a number of girlfiends (spelling intentional), have been on memorable runs and mundane rides to the grocery or hardware store - and through them I've met (directly and indirectly) a lot of first-class fellow enthusiasts.

Sadly, some of them are no longer with us - in spirit or in the flesh. Their various creations or contributions live on in the form of parts and accessories which adorn my two current Valks. Things from Rattlebars, Bru0r, Wayne, QueExpress, Botman Nick just to name a very few - along with big-name chrome and other goodies long since discontinued by their respective manufacturers.

I'll ride these bikes and support the parts industry - both OEM and VRCC-focused - as long as I can, because the experiences - good and bad - have been worth it.

Both of my current Valks are in the never-done stage. That is, always something else to try - but the end is in sight for both projects as the vision I have for them nears completion. One more project awaits: I'm going to reprise Blondie's 2003 Standard when I find another decent example. I removed and kept all the special parts that I'd put on the bike when I sold it, and another bike-night cruiser project seems to be calling my name. This one gets a set of billet smooth wheels I've had in storage since 2008; wheels which were originally destined for my custom Interstate - but that one's getting the Paint it Black treatment. The whole bike.

I made the first three InZanes and have contemplated many others, but life seems to have other plans for me. Perhaps I'll do it again some day. Until then, thanks for the memories.

[rug_burn]

Twenty years-  it sounds like a long time, doesn't it?  Makes one reflect..  But 2000 AD  seems like only yesterday- 
    I'm here on the west coast, enduring the lockdown which strangely enough (a good thing) doesn't really affect motorcycle riding too much... 
    But just being out on the road at all makes me appreciate what a great bike is the Valkyrie.   That engine is just so damn smooth, I love it.   It's the last cruiser bike I'll ever need to buy- you can't wear them out.    Neglect is what usually does them in.
    I live right near a good canyon, so it's hard not to go that way and back at least three or four times a week. 
    I'm tryin' to talk the wife into a ride right now-    wish me luck-  goin' in!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I don't post much (if at all) on the General Board but thought I'd look back on twenty years of Valkyrie ownership amongst fellow gearheads.

My 2000 Tourer was ridden home on April 10th, 2000. Almost a year later to the day, a 2000 Interstate (which sat next to the Tourer in the showroom) followed me home. I'd have bought their Standard but it was totaled when a car came careening through the showroom window late one night.

Immediately, the modifications started. I was familiar with this site for a year prior to buying my first one and many of the Valkyries featured in Just Pics gave me ideas. At 'peak Valkyrie' there were 5 of them in my garage, all set up differently. Three were eventually sold to make room and free up money for other projects.

Those F6s pretty much defined my riding life and still do. They've outlasted a wife, a number of girlfiends (spelling intentional), have been on memorable runs and mundane rides to the grocery or hardware store - and through them I've met (directly and indirectly) a lot of first-class fellow enthusiasts.

Sadly, some of them are no longer with us - in spirit or in the flesh. Their various creations or contributions live on in the form of parts and accessories which adorn my two current Valks. Things from Rattlebars, Bru0r, Wayne, QueExpress, Botman Nick just to name a very few - along with big-name chrome and other goodies long since discontinued by their respective manufacturers.

I'll ride these bikes and support the parts industry - both OEM and VRCC-focused - as long as I can, because the experiences - good and bad - have been worth it.

Both of my current Valks are in the never-done stage. That is, always something else to try - but the end is in sight for both projects as the vision I have for them nears completion. One more project awaits: I'm going to reprise Blondie's 2003 Standard when I find another decent example. I removed and kept all the special parts that I'd put on the bike when I sold it, and another bike-night cruiser project seems to be calling my name. This one gets a set of billet smooth wheels I've had in storage since 2008; wheels which were originally destined for my custom Interstate - but that one's getting the Paint it Black treatment. The whole bike.

I made the first three InZanes and have contemplated many others, but life seems to have other plans for me. Perhaps I'll do it again some day. Until then, thanks for the memories.

I'm sure you have your reasons for not posting over on the General Board. But, it's a shame. You have much to add to the dialogue. I've always appreciated the info you have shared. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I hear ya. This Valentines Day was 18 years with my phat girl. She was 5 when I got her. 170K miles and pretty much done with mods. I’m happy. The only thing I intend to try is a modification to the Cobra baffles so I can go back to Cobra exhaust with a quieter tone.

[John Schmidt]

Chris, a friend no longer with a Valk once took out the baffles, bought a second set and cut them in half. Then welded them together. Made a big difference in the sound and volume.

[Chrisj CMA]

Chris, a friend no longer with a Valk once took out the baffles, bought a second set and cut them in half. Then welded them together. Made a big difference in the sound and volume.

I plan a little different mod. I’m going to weld some washers at the end of the baffles, reducing the opening to the same ID as the piggies on the OEM pipes

[larue]

Thank you for a refreshing read,....kinda a rare lately to see this on this board

[msb]

Agree with larue, and thanks for sharing your look back at 20 years of Valk ownership, Bagger John. I share many of your experiences and sentiments  (albeit all with only one bike, one wife,  and no girlfiends  ) as I am just a week away from 19 years since I brought my beloved '99 Interstate home with only 3000 km on the clock. Took me until 2015 to make my first of 3  InZanes where I started putting faces to the names I had been reading about on this site or that had given me technical assistance over the years. I have also made some lifelong friends along the way  

[mojo]

Same here almost Bagger... May 5, 2000.. Still have the Innerstate as a trike now (85k) Best bike I ever had.. Two Goldwings since 2000 and a Harley (still own it)… One girl (Sindee) for 45 years....

We've had a blast with the VRCC having attended the first 7 InZanes and then two since (in a car due to health) DOTS... CBRs....  Met a great number of members like yourself... Good People!

RIP... Big Dan & Chopper Chick.....RJ...… BS Nicely... Micki (KCKid's wife)… Jan (Rowdy's wife)… plus the many others we've lost ……  Like DM wrote..."Life Is A Road"

[f6gal]

Hope to see more of you Bagger!!

[f6gal]

Same here almost Bagger... May 5, 2000.. Still have the Innerstate as a trike now (85k) Best bike I ever had.. Two Goldwings since 2000 and a Harley (still own it)… One girl (Sindee) for 45 years....

We've had a blast with the VRCC having attended the first 7 InZanes and then two since (in a car due to health) DOTS... CBRs....  Met a great number of members like yourself... Good People!

RIP... Big Dan & Chopper Chick.....RJ...… BS Nicely... Micki (KCKid's wife)… Jan (Rowdy's wife)… plus the many others we've lost ……  Like DM wrote..."Life Is A Road"

I didn't know Big Dan passed away 
We miss seeing you Mojo!!

[RP#62]

And Shftr.   Still miss the big guy.

-RP