Decided to embark on a Valkyrie Trike project after my wife (JoJo) and myself decided it was time for her to upgrade from her VStar 650 to a bike that she could travel better with, more comfortably, with some style...
She has been riding on and off for 15 years - started on an 883 Sportster (before we met)... sold it. Rode with me on trips. We decided for around town to pick up an easy to ride, lightweight, bike so she rode the VStar for 3 years. She wanted to travel on her own bike; the 650 could do it, but not as well as hoped. In getting a bigger motorcycle, we had to try and balance size, weight, and power.
While discussing options over the last two years... we began to seriously consider triking a Valkyrie for her. Once we talked with Murdoc & Messy casually at Inzane last year and then a bit more via email; it was decided to go with triking a Valk. Combines the comfort and power of a big bike with the stability she wanted... AND it's a Valkyrie... I mean.... come on!
Question was, buy a trike already built, or buy a Valk Standard or Tourer and have it converted. The answer came when I found an '03 Standard in mint, and I mean mint, condition 50 miles from me... with a price $2K below what it was worth.
Embarked on months of research into what was out there as far as trikes for Valkyries... of all the players, we felt that California Sidecar offered the best in function and form. Wasn't too big and was mechanically superior in many aspects. Wanted to get a kit and build it with a friend, but was a no go from the onset. Oh well, I tried.
Started looking for dealers, and while doing so, discovered
California Sidecar was actually in Virginia (go figure) about 300 miles away. Called down there and talked with Dwight... salesman and painter. From the beginning we found CSC to be very professional and just a joy to work with throughout. Confirmed our decision was the right one....
We had previously decided, after much research and talk with other trike owners to go with a rake kit. The ONLY one we even considered was Daryl's from XF6 Customs. The only question was 6° or 8°. After a conversation with Daryl and then Old Grouch from here on the board... it was the 8°. Daryl, as you may already know is a big supporter of the VRCC and I can tell you this... he IS the man to go to! The quality is unsurpassed and he goes beyond in helping customers (more on that later).
Fast forward to March 11, 2011... dropped the Valk off at CSC
Pulling into CSC - Arrington, VA
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As soon as we got there, we pulled it in. They did a test ride and checked all the functions. Within 10 minutes it was on the table and they were taking her apart.
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Took a tour of the factory. They do everything from making the bodies (fiberglass) to machining, paint, etc. all on site there. At the end of the tour we were shown the body ready to go on JoJo's trike. They promised it wouldn't be so dusty upon our return. We left a disposable camera there and they took about 25 pictures of the build... that's what we wanted to post. But, alas, the "certified photo specialist" at Walgreen's exposed the film and ruined it.
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Seven short days later...March 18, 2011 we made our return to CSC. Had a bit of a dilemma the prior evening. Got a call from Kyle, the builder of our trike who said he was having trouble with the +2" front brake lines being added. They were too short. We were already 200 miles towards Virginia (stayed overnight in Waynesboro). Got a hold of Daryl, early on the morning of pickup. Daryl outdid himself again! He said that he would walk Kyle through mounting the brake lines with his rake kit. When we got there... he spoke with Kyle and emailed a photo of what was needed to be done. Kyle fixed it up in about 5 minutes. The VRCC should be proud to have people like Daryl and XF6 as part of this group.
Also, along with the rake kit research... we had them mount a Michelin Macadam bias ply rear tire on the front (reversed) - thanks for that tip Old Grouch.
This is what was waiting for us...
Just had to button up a few very minor things and she was ready to go home...
But... had to test ride it first. JoJo took a little spin down the road... came back and declared that she was in love with another...
I took it out for little spin as well. Twisted the throttle... the rear dropped a bit... the rear tires gripped... and I was GONE! WOW! Just WOW!
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We took her home Friday night. Saturday morning, up early to hang some chrome on it. To start tranny and spark plug covers, brake caliper covers, and the windshield. Adjusted the handlebars more to JoJo's liking and they were positioned better with the lines of the rake. Also had to adjust the headlight with a spacer to get it more level as the rake kit angles it upwards slightly.
Here's as of this morning...
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Yeah, Just Dale from Mentor, Ohio came down to check it out and after JoJo had 30 minutes practice on it (her first trike AND Valk) in a parking lot, we embarked on about a 30 mile ride around the area. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
The proud owner:
So far, we are so happy with the entire process, from CSC, XF6 Customs, the trike itself, everything... it was smooth and painless throughout. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
