She had me at "Vaarrrooooommm!"

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Why don't you guys just LEAVE IT ALONE and let him enjoy his PRIZE ! Not much Pi$$e$ me off but, all you experts, that never seen the bike KNOW IT ALL !  

[97ValkSteve]

Initial riding impressions.....

I was a little nervous despite being a biker for over 40 years.  

Took awhile to start.  Lots of choke.  Didn't want to run real good.  Ran much better in "reserve" since the tank was empty.  Filled her up and added some carb cleaner to the gas.  Ran perfectly since then.  

The Two Brothers pipes are a bit loud but I've had louder pipes on V twins.  I can cruise through the "hood" relatively quietly. Lots of backfire downshifting though.  Anyway to get rid of that?  

Pipes sound really awesome.  Haven't had loud pipes since my 2001 Yamaha 1100 classic...

Yamaha V-Star 1100 with DD Hard-Krome Sideburners	powered by Aeva

Maybe that'll work.  

Anyway, after she warmed up, she was a delight to drive. A bit ungainly compared to my most recent bike, a Kawasaki ZZR 1200, but managable.  Down the road she was very stable and I kept wondering where was the buzzing and vibration in the handlebars but it never appeared.  

Only took her up to 70 today.  The fly screen did ok but was not a representative day as the wind was really crazy here today gusting over 30mph so I took her home.  Pipes were loud but couldn't even hear them above 50 with the wind noise.  

Want to get Memphis Shades switchblade system to be able to take windshield on and off.  Not sure about saddlebags yet.  

Awedome ride.  Awesome bike.  Some people stared at it.

[Jabba]

Steve, that is a great looking and unique bike.

I'd like to get some custom paint someday.  I have some good plans for my green/tan IS.  They made like 4,000,000 of them in that color. 



So while I like the scheme... I'd like to do something a little different with it.

I really like the racing stripe Valks.  I have a blue/white 2002 like that.



I think I'd like to keep the green color, and have the bike, trunk, bags and all painted with the white racing stripe scheme.  so it's be a green and white.  Not seen one of those around before.

Anyway... congrats dude.  we all love our valks.  Take care of her. 

Jabba

[97ValkSteve]

I'm out of town a lot so just got back today and took her for a ride and for the first time the TBR pipes were a little annoying maybe because I was so tired or something. 

Ordered some rearview mirrors from this place:  http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ76430#reviews
 to take place of the Arlene Mess ones that are basically useless.  Finally figured out how to remove my seat and discovered the owners manual in pristine condition.  Gonna take her to here: http://garyshobbieshop.com/ on Tuesday, I hope, to put Avon tires on and remove neon spark plug wires, reinstall original turn signals, take off drag tachometer, etc. so I can get her where I want her.  Look to sell this junk, er ah, wonderful accessories soon if anyone's interested. 

Love the smooth, hammering acceleration of the Valkyrie.  Can't wait to get the new tires.  I'm afraid to go very fast with 14 year old tires. 

Memphis shades.  Any opinions?  Thinking of those for my windshield(s). 
Anyone know of any chrome lowers? 
Detachable saddlebags? 

Thanks.  Steve

[old2soon]

Get them thar newish round rubber thingys-than ride er like you stoled er. Go fast these things we ride seem to thrive on speed. It gets way better-my interstate goes like 800 pounds plus with all the fluids in her. Hit the starter button clutch in slide her into first ease out the clutch-somewhere that 800 plus pounds ain't there no more. Gets a lot lighter when your rollin. Least ways to me anywho. You are gonna love your dragon as much as anyone else here does. Let us know when you get that kinda stupid smile off your face. Ain't had mine a year yet 7600 plus miles and that kinda stupid little-ok giant economy size smile still there. And it don't show the least little bit of a sign of goin away anytime soon. Course-that ain't really a bad thing at all. I'm gonna paraphrase ole Peter Fonda here for a moment. You americans have no class-all you have is coca cola rock and roll and valkyries-and that ain't a bad thing. RIDE SAFE.

[olddog1946]

I have a Memphis shades fats, 17" windshield (just replaced with a new one). I like the fact that I can just see over the top (imperative in the rain at night) and love the ease of removal for those days I want the wind in my face and a mouthful of bugs..

[Blister]

Nice looking Dragon. I'm no expert by any means but wouldn't ride much on a tire that was born in 1996. They may look good but at that age I wouldn't trust them. Just saying. Good luck. Blister

[97ValkSteve]

Nice looking Dragon. I'm no expert by any means but wouldn't ride much on a tire that was born in 1996. They may look good but at that age I wouldn't trust them. Just saying. Good luck. Blister

I agree and have a new set of Avons ready to put on but can't get in until June 7th so I'm mostly staying around town and keeping the speed down. 

[old2soon]

Your gonna give up like a month WITHOUT your fat girl?? After all the anguish with no key?? Do you not have other options to get tires mounted a little quicker like say yesterday?? Just curious a little i guess. Had my lady on the lift for six weeks; It were the longest year of my life. RISE SAFE. Eventually.

[97ValkSteve]

Your gonna give up like a month WITHOUT your fat girl?? After all the anguish with no key?? Do you not have other options to get tires mounted a little quicker like say yesterday?? Just curious a little i guess. Had my lady on the lift for six weeks; It were the longest year of my life. RISE SAFE. Eventually.

I know!!!  Right?  One must learn patience.  After all it took 14 years for us to find each other so what's a little more time to get it done right.  On another thread we talked about all the different ways to screw up a tire change/spline lube so I decided to wait for some people I trust. 

In the meantime, I think the tires are holding up ok.  I want to take her on a small trip to the drag races in Commerce, GA next Sunday so we'll see. 

[Stanley Steamer]

Your gonna give up like a month WITHOUT your fat girl?? After all the anguish with no key?? Do you not have other options to get tires mounted a little quicker like say yesterday?? Just curious a little i guess. Had my lady on the lift for six weeks; It were the longest year of my life. RISE SAFE. Eventually.

I know!!!  Right?  One must learn patience.  After all it took 14 years for us to find each other so what's a little more time to get it done right.  On another thread we talked about all the different ways to screw up a tire change/spline lube so I decided to wait for some people I trust. 

In the meantime, I think the tires are holding up ok.  I want to take her on a small trip to the drag races in Commerce, GA next Sunday so we'll see. 

Commerce is just 20 miles up the road from my house...I was at the 1993 Fram Southern Nationals there with my Paw-in-law

[97ValkSteve]

Drag races are cool. 

By the way, got two new keys made yesterday so I have 3 now!  Also, have the title back in my name as well.  Things are progressing.

[97ValkSteve]

FINALLY got my bike fixed up some with new Avons replacing the 14 year old original Dunlops, big drag racing tach removed and original instruments put back in proper place, neon spark plug wire and under body tubes removed, rear turn signal assembly restored, spline lubed, rear oil changed and it runs great!

Also, have National Cycle switchblade Chopped windshield enroute and just ordered a set of Boss 42 bags with a few studs to match the Corbin seats. 

Had a couple of good rides yesterday and today without worrying about tires blowing.  Only hit 90 with much left in reserve.  Waiting for the right piece of road for faster. 

Will post pix when I get the rest put on.

Saw my first fellow Valk driver yesterday as I was returning home on interstate 75 North about 20 miles south of Atlanta.  He slowed down to wave at me and was on a yellow and cream tourer, I believe. 

Loving my old Valk.  Steve

[Sodbuster]

anxious to see some updated pics !!

so, have you got to the point yet where you sit out in the garage with a beer and just stare at the darn thing and tell yourself "man that's a cool bike " ??   

[GreenLantern57]

Thought I was the only one that did that!   

[Grandpa Bigbuck]

so, have you got to the point yet where you sit out in the garage with a beer and just stare at the darn thing and tell yourself "man that's a cool bike " ??   

I do that all the time. And then I wonder why I don't get anything done. 

[MacDragon]

anxious to see some updated pics !!

so, have you got to the point yet where you sit out in the garage with a beer and just stare at the darn thing and tell yourself "man that's a cool bike " ??   

Wow.  I think it's an epidemic... I've done it too.  There is no cure.  We'll just have to live with the best ride on the planet...

[old2soon]

Got an oldies station here that plays 24/7. Been known to wander into the garage at weird hours and sit and talk to her quietly. Lotsa times she answers me then and there but most times she waits til i get on her and get it ON. Still got that goofy smile/grin after more than 10000 miles. Some thing tellin me even after i can't throw a leg over no more i will still have THAT smile/grin. Got caught in a real toad drowner saturday and was laughing my a$$ off in the drivin rain. Not nuts-just love ridin. RIDE SAFE.

[Valkahuna]

Nope!!! I do it also. As a matter of fact, I am going through terrible withdrawel since my Fat Lady is asleep in Florida, while I am North. 

Come on November!!!!

Thought I was the only one that did that!   

[B]

Not every day you find a good looking lady without baggage. 
ENJOY!