Colorado Riders Thread

[Tailgate Tommy]

Had a great time this past weekend. Weather was ok for this time of year. Rode through one small shower coming into Taos, other than that and the fog over Raton Pass it was great. Good friends, good roads, and good motorcycles does it get any better? 
[/quote

 
No pie tho...

[deadpan]

How bout some pics

[Misfit]

I didn't take any pics Dick. I should have taken a pic of Tom passing on the pie. You would have been very disappointed in your pie eating partner this trip. You're going to have put Tom through a rigorous spring (pie eating) training. He's loosing his drive.  

[Misfit]

TRAINING.

[deadpan]

Wrench party/pie party

[Misfit]

I'm game. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Me 2

[Tailgate Tommy]

I didn't take any pics Dick. I should have taken a pic of Tom passing on the pie. You would have been very disappointed in your pie eating partner this trip. You're going to have put Tom through a rigorous spring (pie eating) training. He's loosing his drive.  

No pie was harmed during this ride, but I did get a pie picture

[Valkorado]

Wrench party/pie party

Count me in on that!  It's it spring yet?

[DDT (12)]

I never knew there were so many pie lovers out y'all's way! If we're talking about coconut pie here, I just may try to work another ride out there in the Spring onto my list of priorities... I don't do wrenching, as many of you already know, but I do like pie... again, as some of you already know. Anyhow, I like hanging with all of y'all, and I do love to ride around your amazing corner of the universe... of course, I've ridden even further for some pie, too... So, all things considered, this just could work itself into a plan!!!

DDT

[MarkT]

Hey Bruce love to see you again.  More fun riding and hearin your stories.  Maybe more Markaritas!  Ya gotta check out Jade, my new ride.  Been tinkering on it in between pipe jobs, haven't had time to ride it yet. 

[DDT (12)]

Hey Mark!

Coconut pie and Markaritas... breakfast of champions for sure!!! I'd love to have another round or two of your special concoction, and I'm always up for some pie... The yarn swapping after a ride is something y'all have elevated to an art form... So, this is sounding to me more and more like a serious plan!!!

DDT

P.S. I'd like to check out Jade... Having observed some of your 'customizing' work already, I'm sure Jade will really be something to behold!

[MarkT]

Here's the list.  Most of these are done.

Belly tank.  Replumbed and rewired to use as large reserve (fuel pump transfers fuel only, doesn't run continuously).  Main tank still feeds carbs with gravity.  Required addition of two latch relays, two LED indicators, two switches, pressure switch and large fuel solenoid valve, two T-fittings.
Dan-Marc with latch relay, pushbutton & LED indicator (wired as anti-hijack/theft like Deerslayer).
De-smog.
Vizor Spots on crash bars.
Drag Specialties H4 headlights set up like spots.
Headlight relay mod.
Three Cyclops 3800 lumen H4 LED's in the headlight and spot shells.
Tipped windshield & raised headlight.
6-inch Harley pullback risers (with re-routed throttle cables)
Garmin install with Doppler radar (Sirius antenna mount)
Uniq Cycle 300w stereo (reinstalled).
Brakeaway throttle lock.
Progressive 444 shocks.
Baker Wings.
PC-8 Power panel.
Relay panel.
Russell Daylong seat system.
Luggage rack.
Kuryakyn Highway pegs.
Fresh chrome on OEM exhaust

NOT INSTALLED YET, PARTS ORDERED OR ON-HAND

Double darkside with Michelin Ice-X and Bridgestone
Run-brake-turn rear marker lights with smoke lenses & LEDs.
Smoke front marker lenses & LEDs with LED diode turn-signal mod.
Highlighter.
Horn upgrade.
Exhaust mod.
Shifter mod.
Forward controls (if I can find them below retail)

[DDT (12)]

MarkT,

Your list sounds mighty impressive... Looking forward to seeing your handiwork...

DDT

[Disco]

Your list sounds mighty impressive... Looking forward to seeing your handiwork...

Me too!   

[Misfit]

I say if Bruce is coming out, we should definitely have a coming out (west) party for him complete with coconut pie and a ride through the Rockies. 

[DarkSideR]

I say if Bruce is coming out, we should definitely have a coming out (west) party for him complete with coconut pie and a ride through the Rockies. 

 

[Misfit]

By the way, I talked to Trout Dude the other day and he said that after he shucks the cast on his leg that he would like to come out here and look around. If we can align the stars this might be a great party!  

[Brewer]

I need to order tires and get the drive shaft / pinion cup replacements in, then I can put some more miles on

[Tailgate Tommy]

Sounds like a blast!

[MarkT]

Alright!!!  We have TWO FELLAS COMING OUT!!  I'll hafta call Harley HQ and see if they can loan out ELTON!!!  I hear he bakes a mean marangue cream pie!

[Valk-Obsessed]

Hey all,

I know this is a bit off topic of the recent discussions...
I'm am recently returned from being deployed and hopefully seriously in the market for a Valkyrie of my own..
Are any of you guys familiar with any of the Valkyries on Craigslist in Colorado?
Figured I'd ask the experts here first!

Regards,

Chris

[Misfit]

Pastor Dean has his on Craigslist. I've ridden several thousand miles with him on that bike. What do you want to know?

[Valk-Obsessed]

Which one is Pastor Dean's?

Mostly I'm curious about service histories, general condition and what not.
I figured I could get some good information from you all,  with which to make an informed purchase decision.

Chris

[Valkorado]

Which one is Pastor Dean's?

Mostly I'm curious about service histories, general condition and what not.
I figured I could get some good information from you all,  with which to make an informed purchase decision.

Chris

This one

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/5207326869.html

is Pastor Dean's bike.  Don't know much about it except it's got him all over the USA the last couple summers.  Don't limit yourself to just Colorado Valks, if you see one you like somewhere else you might post on the VRCC and ask if anyone is nearby and can take a gander at it for you.  If it checks out fly out and ride it home or deal with the joy of hiring a shipper to get it to you.  Either way, good luck on your search, Valkyries are great bikes!

[MarkT]

Stay away from HaulBikes aka Daily Direct.  Unless you want to wait SIX WEEKS and more and have it arrive damaged. After they take their payment IN FULL IMMEDIATELY. So they have no incentive to deliver on their false promises. And forget having them keep you informed - another promise lie.  Then they pushback on your damage claim even after you paid extra to have a zero deductible on the insurance.  Their contract protects ONLY THEM.  A nightmare to deal with.

[Wrangler]

I was wondering if anyone wants to make the Cheyenne Toy Run this Saturday?  I was thinking interested parties could meet at Johnson's Corner 8:15 - 8:30, grab some breakfast or one of the HUGE cinnimon rolls, and ride up to Cheyenne.  Registration starts at 9:00, run starts at 11:00.  You need to bring a new, unwrapped gift for the ride.  I was planning on leaving Denver around 7:00 - 7:15 and heading up I-25.  The weather is supposed to be great and there's usually a lot of bikes and great people up there.  If anyone can make it, reply to this post and we can make it happen.  If no one replies, I may take a different route.

[DarkSideR]

I was wondering if anyone wants to make the Cheyenne Toy Run this Saturday?  I was thinking interested parties could meet at Johnson's Corner 8:15 - 8:30, grab some breakfast or one of the HUGE cinnimon rolls, and ride up to Cheyenne.  Registration starts at 9:00, run starts at 11:00.  You need to bring a new, unwrapped gift for the ride.  I was planning on leaving Denver around 7:00 - 7:15 and heading up I-25.  The weather is supposed to be great and there's usually a lot of bikes and great people up there.  If anyone can make it, reply to this post and we can make it happen.  If no one replies, I may take a different route.

Sounds like a fun time. I have my daughters gymnastic meet in the a.m. and my sons football game in the afternoon. I will be thinking of ya while sitting behind 100 parents with their cell phones and tablets in the air recording everything that moves.

[Wrangler]

Good Luck and hope the kids do well!  I don't envy you sitting behind the parents!  I didn't have any takers for the Toy Run, so I'm going to blow off Johnson's Corner and just ride up to Cheyenne about 8:30 and register.  Anyone that want's to go, meet up there at Maverick Motorsports, or Google 38th. Cheyenne Toy Run for directions.

[Wrangler]

Hey Guys, I screwed up! It's High Country Motorsports, not Maverick Motorsports.  Same place east of the City on Lincolnway.  Hope some of you can make it!

[MarkT]

Just want to say, I'm really pleased with Jade.  Great value, nice to have a Valk with fresh (unworn) parts.  Shifting is crisp, chrome looks new, and now I have it set up even more comfy than Deerslayer.  Installed 6 inch Harley pullback risers, makes a big difference. Now I wish it had fwd controls like Deerslayer! She came with a UniqCycle stereo - 300watts in a really small package! And now with 282 miles range at 34mpg. That's with a R&M belly tank, but plumbed and wired as a really big reserve - fuel pump only transfers the fuel, doesn't run all the time. Fuel pump also shuts off with tipover, or kill sw, or ignition off. Still fuels as OEM gravity feed, but with Dan-Marc (wired as anti-hijack/theft device, same as Deerslayer) and fuel filter installed. Also OEM petcock modified to non-vacuum - leave it on always except if manual reserve needed. Desmogged while I was at it.  And the Russell seat setup - WOW!  Is that nice! I don't even want to fart on it. Now I still hafta improve the lighting in the rear once the smoked lenses get here.  And make another Super Highlighter.  Haven't taken it out for a photo shoot yet.  But the forest green - or English Racing Green - don't know what Honda calls it - it's also a favorite color for me.  Check out this seat shot:

[R J]

Mark that is one good lookin seat you have there.

Maybe I should say a PAIR of good looking seats.

[Tailgate Tommy]

Mark, that seat looks really cumfy!

[Wrangler]

Toy run in Cheyenne went well, 500-600 bikes, mostly H-D's, no other Valks.  Weather was GREAT. Rode with a Goldwing and Suzy Q 750 V-Twin out to Happy Jack, Wyo. and had burgers at the Bunkhouse.  Great food and good company with some older Harley guys and gals.  Riding in Wyoming is like going back to the '60s & '70s with no one on the roads and no idiots on their cell phones trying to take you out!  MarkT, post some pics of the new bike!

[MarkT]

We got out for a ride to one of our fav cafe's this weekend.  It's in Simla, Hwy 24 about 20mi SW of Limon.  They have the best Gyros I've ever had, outside of Kiffisias, Greece (lived there for a year in the 60's).  The owner is Greek.



The cockpit.  You can see the control panel for the fuel system.  Also antenna for Sirius via Zumo665 (provides Doppler radar); Pioneer speakers with UniqCycle 300w stereo (came with the bike) - great sound for it's size- like them below the bars for a change; and the REALLY comfy pulled back bars thx to the 6" Harley risers.  The windshield is tipped back and the headlight raised 3cm.



The risers.  Yeah had to route the throttle cables.  Worth it.



LOVE the seats.  And my KILLER lights - the road lights up like it does for Deerslayer - CLEARLY for 2/3 mile. Also check out the Vizor small bullet spots - I put LEDs in them.  So I'm using 206w low, 256w high (not counting LED markers) up front.  Tried the Cyclops H4's but they don't focus well so went back to the 130/90 H4 with relay mod in the main, and std 60/55 H4's in the aux headlights.  The turns are LED's with clear lenses.  Also have run-brake-turn LED's in back with the same lenses.



Some detail:  Underseat, finished.  Not the rat's nest of first glance - just quite a bit of extra capability.



The relay panel lifts out for maintenance.  13 relays so far - 10 here, one behind right panel, 2 in headlight bucket.



The fuse panel, done for now.  Top 6 ports unswitched (they have their own switching), last 2 switched:



Progressive 444 shocks blacked out:



Michelin X-Ice:



Filler solenoid - basically a giant Dan-Marc:



Right LED turn signal lit, left showing running light:



Installed Evans Waterless permanent coolant, Double Darkside (front is a BatlAx BT45 rear), Oil now Mobil1 (what else?), changed the punkin to full synth. It had about 2oz of BLACK oil in it.  Plugs were frozen.  Never maintained. Interestingly, The date on the rear Dunlop was week 44 on '99, and the front week 41 of '00.  And they had obviously not been changed for 15 years.  I had to remove the punkin to pull the wheel - the splines were completely dry and rust-fused.  Had to drive the front axle out with a 4# hammer - rust seized. The tires, being THREE TIMES older than the max age you are supposed to run them, had serious chicken strips both sides.  I don't think the bike was ever leaned.  No wear at all on the footpegs.  Haven't changed the brown brake fluid yet.  Or adjusted the valves or sync'd the carbs. Next on the list. Brakes look new.  Also will be adding fwd controls when I find one (might have to buy a new one once BBT makes more) and the shifter mod.

I have a plan for an awesome Highlighter, once I get more time to work on it.  

[Valkorado]

Woo-hoo!  Jade is looking mighty purty Mark, that ol' whore sure gussied up slick!  I'd say I'm impressed by your engineering prowess, but I expect that techno chit from you.  Now if you want to see a rat's nest you should see under the seat of The Mean Green.  Took me 15 minutes to get to the battery.

[Wrangler]

Nice looking bike Mark!  Like the color and mods, don't drive the price of copper up with all the wiring.  Did you put a beefed up alternator in it?

[Valkorado]

but it's here nonetheless.



About five minutes ago.  And radar shows this is just the beginning.  Guess it's time to get the girls to their winter stable.

Mark, that X-Ice tire looks like a good one for these parts.  Keep me posted on how you like it.

[MarkT]

Nice looking bike Mark!  Like the color and mods, don't drive the price of copper up with all the wiring.  Did you put a beefed up alternator in it?

Thx.  Don't need the bigger alternator.  Not installing a compressor; using LEDs where I can (just not the headlights - all the other lights are LEDs); the amp only draws 300w if cranked to full power - that would fry the speakers; we're not even close. The Dan-Marc doesn't use much; the filler solenoid runs for 3-5 minutes on battery only while fueling; the fuel pump also sips power and runs for a max of 9 minutes per 250 miles to transfer fuel. I do plan to add a plug for my heated gear, but again, that's only a portion of the time with the digital controller - not continuous.  I also keep a 6amp charger in my kit all the time.  Been too many times I abused the battery and it puked on me.

Though I still haven't addressed the puny horn yet.  Don't want to go quite as nuts as I did on Deerslayer.

Haven't taken it out yet since upgrading the rubber.  Have to work on pipes and the weather sux right now.  Gotta say, the Michelin looks almost identical to the Vredestein Snow-trac.  I'm expecting performance about the same.

[baird4444]

but it's here nonetheless.


About five minutes ago.  And radar shows this is just the beginning.  Guess it's time to get the girls to their winter stable.
Mark, that X-Ice tire looks like a good one for these parts.  Keep me posted on how you like it.

Snow in Gunnison, ehh??  That really sucks!!  rain here in Montrose but 60's
this week end and next week. You need to think about moving a little farther west...
    Mark- nice looking ride. You guys with 2 are making me jealous...
         - Mike