I’m new over here from the 1500 section, with some ideas for my new-to-me 1800.

[Big Sherm]

Hi everyone, I’m Sherm.
A few years ago I went to check out a low priced 1500 Valk, and it was a little rough, but that engine hooked me!
I always remembered the tv commercials a couple decades ago with the 1500 getting dirt tracked in the dry lake bed, and how people went on and on about the engine.
Getting that bike has into shape has been awesome, and I’m keeping it, but I recently went to check out a low priced 2015 red 1800 Valk.
This time that engine and that chassis hooked me!
Anyway, I snatched it up, and I’m currently in handlebar purgatory, but I’ve figured out what’ll work for my long arms and sporty intentions.



Not sure if you 1800 Valk folks are aware of how some Harley riders have been putting wide wheels with 180mm rear tires on the FRONT of their bikes, but I did that to my 1500 Valk because to me, it needs a street presence to match its burliness.



I was prepared for the handling with the ridiculous front tire to be atrocious, but it’s not!
I dig it!
Like an Aussie fellow on YouTube said about his Valk, I’m somewhat imposing in size, and I prefer my bike to be imposing, too.
It’s fun how that big front tire steamrolls through anything!

Has anyone done this to an 1800 Valk?
If the 1500’s I’m-coming-through nature deserved the bigger shoes, the 1800 even more surely does.

A plan is coming together in my head to make it happen with a 18x5.5 front wheel that’ll match the stock rear wheel, but it wouldn’t be cheap.

Thanks for lettin me in your group, but you all might want to rethink your standards if you let in someone like me!
Sherm

[Jess from VA]

Welcome aboard Sherm.   

If you use the search function on here, a fellow named Hubcap (Mike) from SC posted up a long detailed post with pictures of his adventure changing risers and bars on his 1800 Valk.  It required cutting and adding wire splices (length) to every single control wire to the bars.  He also changed out the handlebars to a stock set of 1500 Valk bars.  I'm not a big or tall guy, but I hate bikes that come with a forward leaning handlebar setup (like the 1800 Valk), and his post virtually ensured I would never buy one.

The 1500 Valk will take 4 inch risers with no wiring issues, other than turning some wire clips around 180 degrees.  And the bars are fine.

Anyway, find that post and it should help you a lot.

And maybe someone who is good at searching on here can find it for you and post a link in this thread.

[Big Sherm]

Thanks, Jess.
I’m good with the bars on my 1500.
With handlebars, I think I’m the opposite of most 1800 Valk owners.
Like I did on my 1500, I’m fitting shorter bars to lean me more forward, so no lengthening of cables or brake lines necessary.
You can see some shorter bars in that picture of my 1800.  They weren’t perfect for me, though.
Right now I’m shortening the stock 1800 Valk bars, and that looks promising.
With my long arms, the stock bars had me sitting straight up, which meant I had to constantly pull myself up against the wind, and I prefer riding with no windshield.

Sherm

[Robert]

Thanks, Jess.
I’m good with the bars on my 1500.
With handlebars, I think I’m the opposite of most 1800 Valk owners.
Like I did on my 1500, I’m fitting shorter bars to lean me more forward, so no lengthening of cables or brake lines necessary.
You can see some shorter bars in that picture of my 1800.  They weren’t perfect for me, though.
Right now I’m shortening the stock 1800 Valk bars, and that looks promising.
With my long arms, the stock bars had me sitting straight up, which meant I had to constantly pull myself up against the wind, and I prefer riding with no windshield.

Sherm

Do you have the stock seat?

[Big Sherm]

I do have the stock seat.
So far, I like it.
Why do you ask?

Sherm

[Robert]

I do have the stock seat.
So far, I like it.
Why do you ask?

Sherm

I have the Corbin seat and it sits lower and back further. It made the difference for me to be comfortable.

An aftermarket seat may put you in a position on the bike that is more comfortable for you.

[Jess from VA]

Beware of Corbin seats.

None look finer, but they are concrete covered in nice leather.

[Robert]

Beware of Corbin seats.

None look finer, but they are concrete covered in nice leather.

I like it, but there are many seats to choose from and the stock did not do it for me and made the riding position really uncomfortable.

What seat do you have?

[Jess from VA]

Ultimates on both my 1500s (Lowboy and Bigboy); I don't have an 1800.

My first Corbin was on a Kawasaki.  Hard as a rock.  Actually fine for about 1 hour, then it just got steadily more painful over time.  This is how I discovered the Airhawk inflated seat cushion.  I never rode that seat without it again.  But it was a beautiful seat, in leather.

My 2d Interstate came with a complete 3 piece Corbin in leather with fancy stitching (matching the valkyrie head on the IS tank) and silver conchos (no fringe) (tour front & rear in one seat, driver's backrest and trunk rest) (cost about $1300 new).  It was gorgeous and I tried to love it.  Not only was it hard, I slid all over the damn thing.  So I sold it. 

[Jack B]

The Corbin seat work very well on the 1800.

[Robert]

I agree that Corbin seat is not for everyone and yes its kind of hard but it contours to your butt. It does actually wear in unlike other seats that dont.

  I did not want to ride a Cadillac other wise i would have gotten a GoldWing. I dont say this disrespectfully to anyone since I love Goldwings. But I can sit on the Corbin and being its worn in, its like sitting in my favorite chair or leather shoes or jeans,  it just feels great and you enjoy them.

Corbins do take some break in but once you do it just feels right.

Once broken in and I hate to say this for the image it produces but it evenly fits your butt. That takes off pressure points that never go away on other seats and this helps you always to center on the sweet spot of the seat.

This does not happen fast and like shoes or jeans wearing in its not really 100% noticable till one day  you go to your closet and think what would I like to wear that just pic the  shoes or jeans that have that feel of comfort.

I can hop on my Valk and ride and even if I am a bit off and know that I am not in the sweet spot of the comfort zone the seat and bike tell me and make me move to that spot that says, Ok now were good lets go and have some explore time.