Silly Question

[Deliciouspancakes]

Hello All,
         Recently purchased a 98 Valk and am excited for some warmer weather to test her out. I trailered it to the storage unit as I'm in the midst of moving, drove it through the storage facility and handled well up into the unit. I dropped by today to move some more boxes and she wouldn't start when I went to move some things around, no surprise it's been quite cold lately. I've owned a few Hondas in the past so I feel silly even asking this but how do you get the battery fixing strap off? I didn't have any tools on me but I popped the seat off, looked for a hooking mechanism / bolts and didn't see any with the small amount of light getting in to the unit. The manual just says to remove it, which makes me feel even more ridiculous having to ask.  Thank you all in advance!

[WintrSol]

A picture says a thousand words, so have a look at #17: https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1998/gl1500ct-a-valkyrie-tourer/battery

[Deliciouspancakes]

Ah there it is! Thank you so much!

[Jess from VA]

Put a a little low volt Battery Tender Junior on that battery 24 X 7 when not riding (they come with a pigtail you hook to the battery and tie to the frame, so when you pull in, you just plug in.  It will not overcharge the battery, it just comes on when it needs to then shuts off (float charger).

Assuming you have 110 where the bike is kept. 

[Hook#3287]

3 things to consider when starting a cold Valk that's been sitting.

1. You have to give the carbs a chance to fill.  If your petcock is OEM you have to make sure the vacuum has been applied so the petcock opens.  If it's the first start of the season, I'll run the starter for about 10 seconds then give it a minute to fill the bowls.

2. Make sure you are pushing the enricher button "choke" all the way, so you can see the the rail above the carbs slide.

3. Make sure your battery is charged enough, she'll turn over but won't fire if the battery is low.

Good luck on your first Valkyrie season 

[mello dude]

3 things to consider when starting a cold Valk that's been sitting.

1. You have to give the carbs a chance to fill.  If your petcock is OEM you have to make sure the vacuum has been applied so the petcock opens.  If it's the first start of the season, I'll run the starter for about 10 seconds then give it a minute to fill the bowls.

2. Make sure you are pushing the enricher button "choke" all the way, so you can see the the rail above the carbs slide.

3. Make sure your battery is charged enough, she'll turn over but won't fire if the battery is low.

Good luck on your first Valkyrie season 

Totally agree with first start of a season....
It takes some cranking to wake it up...

[Deliciouspancakes]

Put a a little low volt Battery Tender Junior on that battery 24 X 7 when not riding (they come with a pigtail you hook to the battery and tie to the frame, so when you pull in, you just plug in.  It will not overcharge the battery, it just comes on when it needs to then shuts off (float charger).

Assuming you have 110 where the bike is kept. 

Unfortunately I do not, but I noticed the previous owner had it set up for this so just need to pick up the tender. Thank you!

[WintrSol]

You can also keep a jump start battery handy. I have a couple, and they'll crank up an engine of any size, as long as it has a 12V system.

[Deliciouspancakes]

That is on my list to add to the saddle bag for sure! Funny enough when I looked at the diagram you sent I thought the bolt was holding the strap on, don't know what was wrong with me the initial time but when I went back I unhooked it no problem. Definite facepalm moment.

[WintrSol]

You don't know until you know; we all learn the hard way.