New owner joining the club

[Zanderk98]

Just purchased a new-to me 1999 Valkyrie Interstate this past weekend.  Got it home & started going through it.  Started doing a heavy duty cleaning/polishing that's long overdue.  I guess not everyone is as obsessive as I am about the condition of their bike.  My new Valkyrie seems mechanically sound but filthy.  This Valk will replace my '99 V-Star which is still in almost showroom condition after 22 years & 25K miles.

Anyway, I'm now the 3rd owner of this big Honda.  Bike is currently converted to a bagger but I did get the original dual seat and trunk but not the bracket to mount the trunk so I'll need to find one of those.  It has 75K miles and seems to be cleaning up well.  Needs a new battery as previous owner hadn't really ridden it for last 2 years.  Choke lever on the left grip seems to need a LOT of force to get it all the way down & engaged so that needs some attention.  The tires are good enough to make a few test rides but I'll need to replace both front & rear this season.  Compared to my Yamaha (also carbs), the exhaust smells rich even after fully warming up & sitting at idle.

I'm very open to everyone here giving me suggestions on what to check & how.  There's tons go through thoroughly bit by bit but I plan to take her out for test ride once I'm comfortable with the battery & brakes.  Also seems odd to me that the hard bags open with a hinge to the front but then the lid just disengages & hangs off to the side.

For this forum I need to figure out how to post photos...   ZanderK

[hubcapsc]

Believe it or not, your choke is probably "good"... the lever should move
a bunch while doing nothing and then take some effort at the end. You can
look down at the end and see the linkage moving at the carb tops. If you
lube the cable, you'll probably  have to sit there holding the choke on with
your hand.

You'll find the trunk hardware you need here or on ebay... I don't do
facebook, but probably there too...

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

The Interstate bags don’t hinge. What you have is correct. You might have what you need to mount the trunk already. Can you take some pics and post them here ? If not I can PM you my number and you can text them.

[WintrSol]

Just FYI, you can download the service manual here: http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome. You are in good company as far as obsessing on the cleaning. Study up on the rear wheel/rear end R/R procedure

Mine has just under 180,000 miles it’s a 97

[Ramie]

Welcome, let's see some pic's of your progress.

[..]

For this forum I need to figure out how to post photos...   ZanderK

https://postimages.org/

Create an account using the SIGN UP box top right.

Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do a max of 4 to 8 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

[gordonv]

Go to the top, and click on the Shoptalk link. You should find a link to known Valkyrie problems. Something to read and learn what you need to be aware of on the bike.

Waiting on those pictures.

[Jims99]

I replaced my 99 vstar with a 99 tourer. I liked it so much I also bought an interstate. You’ll find a lot of info and very helpful (and obsessed) people here. You’re not alone on the detailing as you’ll discover reading posts and seeing pictures. There are a few maintenance issues to deal with, but take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions, lots of tips and tricks to learn here. I would also put in berrymans b12 gas additive to run through, may be all you need to help them carbs. Good luck and enjoy. 

[Zanderk98]

Thanks to all for the info so far...  I've read most of the articles posted in the  Shop Talk section.  Great knowledge base.  As for the choke, I'll have to wait for new battery to arrive to truly test that out (in transit now for delivery next week)  Also as suggested, I picked up some Berryman's B12 to run through the next tank of fuel.  Berrymans is good stuff.  I've used it before with success & it certainly can't hurt.  I'm positive I don't have the bracket for mounting the trunk.  I quick look thru the manuals & online eBay search shows the bracket that I'm missing.  Thanks to WintrSol for the link to the service manual.  The bike came with a copy of the Clymer's manual but always good to have all the info possible.

I'll try to create an account so I can post some photos.  I tried from my work laptop but it bans me from the photo hosting site.  My job entails some proprietary stuff so it's often difficult for intellectual property protection reasons to post photos to external sites.

As for cleaning & detailing, I'm really impressed with Chrisj CMA.  Your bike looks better than showroom with 180K!  Unfortunately my Valk was neglected for so long (guessing it hasn't had a bath in about ~10 years) that some surfaces may never clean up.  So far, I've given it good cleaning with S100 & my electric pressure washer at 1,600 psi.  That was a good 1st step to knock off heavy crud.  I've also removed the right side bag, and about half the R/S exhaust to really get into polishing the chrome.  Working on the wheels (still on the bike) and that process is tedious to put it mildly.  Mostly using OOOO steel wool with Mothers Mag polish but even that doesn't remove the build up & oxidation.  Tried my tapered cotton buff on electric drill too.  That helps but still not enough.  For now, I'll settle for the "brushed" look but eventually I'll  Scotchbrite & sand them up through all the grits until I get to a mirror polish.  For now, I just want 'presentable' so I can get out & actually ride.  Adding it to my insurance coverage tonight after work!

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks    ya she gets pampered quite often

[Tfrank59]

It’s good to do that initial cleaning. I always do that whenever I get a new motorcycle how else will you see leaks and other defects. That’s a good beginning. Plus you get to know about your bike all the little nooks and crannies and it leads to research about those little features. Shoptalk should give you everything you need to know about maintenance. Otherwise the collective wisdom of this forum should get you through just about anything :-)

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

You might try some 3M rubbing compound. It comes in a plastic bottle and is liquid , not paste.  It's expensive, $40 a bottle, but it is absolutely amazing.  I bought another Valk last summer that was really disgusting.  The previous owner spent thousands on maintenance but never cleaned it. A friend who built hot rods told me to get the 3M stuff.  It was unbelievable what it did. I even used it to clean my rear brake lense cover that was very dull and faded. It looks almost new now.  Took out minor scratches, made the paint look really good.  I bought it at an automotive paint store.

[Tfrank59]

In the past I’ve just used Mothers, but I’ll admit it’s a lot of elbow grease which I’m usually not willing to provide these days ha ha

[Bighead]

Thanks    ya she gets pampered quite often

Jeff my engine block is as clean as yours. You told me so but alas mine is just north of 130k

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks    ya she gets pampered quite often

Jeff my engine block is as clean as yours. You told me so but alas mine is just north of 130k

You have a very nice Bee that’s fer sure!!

[Zanderk98]

Hi all,

Quick update...  tried the photo hosting site.  I now have a valid active account (took like 24 hrs).  Still can't post photos from my laptop so I'll have to try from the wife's home computer (an iMac that I hate since I'm old & therefore a PC guy - no way to right click on an Apple?)  I'll see if I can post photos this weekend.

As for going over the bike, still working away on those wheels.  Found the best/quickest (use that term loosely) has been a sequence of red Scotchbrite > OOOO steel wool > wet sanding with foam Abralon pads (from my woodworking hobby, I'm an avid woodturner) in grits of 180, 240, 360, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 4000 > Polishing with Mother mag polish & tapered buff on my corded drill > hand polish with Wizards metal polish.  I've got about 3 hrs of hand work invested in the left side of the front wheel & it's gone from moderate neglect with some pitting to virtually a mirror shine.  I'm thinking that the next step is to remove the front wheel to do the other side as doing this sitting on the garage floor is challenging.

I also seem to have an issue with the engine cut off switch above the start button.  It seems to work 'sometimes' meaning with switch set to run, the engine will turn over sometimes, sometimes not.  Any advice?  I read shop talk article on issues with the starter button itself but the PO told me the issue is the kill switch.

[Chrisj CMA]

Spray some contact cleaner in the stop run switch and function it many times just in case that’s the problem. More likely it’s the start switch itself. Look in shoptalk how to do the start button maintenance. I think it’s likely that’s what you need

[Whooray]

Welcome front the great state of Idaho!

[Gideon]

Welcome to a GREAT FORUM! 

[Jims99]

I would clean all switches. Mine was the kill switch on the interstate and several months later the tourer started with the same problem. Ended up being starter switch on that one. I went ahead and cleaned all switches on the bars. I noticed the high low beam switch was also acting up. All good now.
There’s always something simple. That’s what I love about this site and the people. Always great advice.

[Zanderk98]

Is it worth buying a new chrome housing for the cut-off switch/starter button?  I see them available for about $40-50.  Website says 'professional installation recommended' as you take all the guts out of OEM housing & put into the new one.  That would allow for full inspection & cleaning I'd think. 

I was able to add a photo of my bike to my profile but still no luck on uploading pics to the photo hosting site.  I got my new battery & installed it.  In my cleaning & polishing, I found the rubber grommets in the eyes of the upper shock mounts total destroyed on both sides.  I ordered replacement bushings so I can replace those.  Reading here the procedure for getting the shocks off doesn't look too bad, assuming you take the lower mounting bolt out 1st.  I also found a trunk mounting bracket though a fellow forum member.  He's shipping it to me from SoCal.  I found I have the original mounting bolts, plastic caps, and short wire hardness to connect the trunk lights.  Lastly, I ordered some new tiny 12V bulbs as found only 1/2 of my speedo is illuminated at night. 

ZanderK

[Chrisj CMA]

Is it worth buying a new chrome housing for the cut-off switch/starter button?  I see them available for about $40-50.  Website says 'professional installation recommended' as you take all the guts out of OEM housing & put into the new one.  That would allow for full inspection & cleaning I'd think.  

I was able to add a photo of my bike to my profile but still no luck on uploading pics to the photo hosting site.  I got my new battery & installed it.  In my cleaning & polishing, I found the rubber grommets in the eyes of the upper shock mounts total destroyed on both sides.  I ordered replacement bushings so I can replace those.  Reading here the procedure for getting the shocks off doesn't look too bad, assuming you take the lower mounting bolt out 1st.  I also found a trunk mounting bracket though a fellow forum member.  He's shipping it to me from SoCal.  I found I have the original mounting bolts, plastic caps, and short wire hardness to connect the trunk lights.  Lastly, I ordered some new tiny 12V bulbs as found only 1/2 of my speedo is illuminated at night.  

ZanderK

I seen more than one report that those aftermarket chrome housings don’t fit well and need a bit of “encouragement”. The type of encouragement that may be accompanied by some four letter words. Lol

[Jess from VA]

I've heard they suck and are impossible to get all the wires back in.

Punt on that one.