What did you do to your Valkyrie today?

[Jess from VA]

FYI stock wattage is 60/55

While most use std auto 60/55s in replacement (without heat trouble), the actual stock Honda bulb is a 45/45.

http://www.servicehondapsn.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

003    BULB (12V 45/45W)
34901-MS2-672       $30.45    $22.95

[Houdini]

POS LED headlight

Which LED was it?  I'm going to upgrade the headlight and running lights on front and would like to avoid the one you're unhappy with.  Thanks!

Let me quantify my comment.
1. I'm stepping off of a IS with dual headlights and 55W pod lights.
2. Since I had Lasik a few years back my night vision is poor to middlin.

Riding at night on the standard with, most likely, the stock 45/45 bulb I couldn't see very well.  I switched to the LED but didn't notice much improvement even though it was highly rated on the site.

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/

If you want to take it and try it I'll bring it to the meeting tonight, if you like it flip me a $20 and it's yours.

[Brewer]

I rode it today

[Valkorado]

I changed the Earl, slapped on some new Maidenhead tank badges (nice new look for the Silver Bullet) and intimidated a few Harleys (the H.O.G. Rally is in town, they've got Main Street for their rodeo tonight).

[Disco]

Rolled 88,000 miles and washed it!   

[Oss]

rolled over 100k at the NY NJ border on the way home from inzane
changed her oil and filter yesterday

THink I burned almost 8 oz in the 6000 miles

burned half a qt in the 8000 miles on the x country trip

Otherwise if I dont hit stuff in the road she is a perfect lady

[Jess from VA]

I gave the Turtle Wax Jet Black a try today.  My paint is pretty rough and I would do better with a buffer, but a 10"random orbital on a curvy bike is a chore, and you throw more off than on the paint.

Did the cleaner wax and buff, but it was too hot with pouring sweat to keep going to the carnuba.  So far, a pretty nice job (but not that much different than any decent wax).  The black tint does come off on your hands, but washes off with soap. 

[Jess from VA]

I gave the Turtle Wax Jet Black a try today.  My paint is pretty rough and I would do better with a buffer, but a 10"random orbital on a curvy bike is a chore, and you throw more off than on the paint.

Did the cleaner wax and buff, but it was too hot with pouring sweat to keep going to the carnuba.  So far, a pretty nice job (but not that much different than any decent wax).  The black tint does come off on your hands, but washes off with soap.  

I thought I would do a little follow up to this:

Someone else noted a good result with this black-wax, so I bought some to give it a try.  

I finished the job with the black base carnuba yesterday, and the final result is as nice a wax job as I have ever seen on my black valk.  Yes it would have been better with power tool buffing, but a 10" random orbital is not the right tool.  

I must say that I did work harder and more diligently, than I usually do with a hand wax job, and I followed the instructions to use back and forth motion, rather than my usual small circles.

Both the cleaner wax and carnuba are nearly liquid/cream (as opposed to paste) and very easy on and off.  The instructions to use the black (watery) detailer to keep the cleaner and wax wet and moving while polishing works well.  

Of course anyone that has been around wax and detail work will tell you starting out with a clean bike, then to a glaze or cleaner wax buff-out, and only then to a pure wax will give a better result, than a simple wash and wax.  And this is the case with the Turtle Jet black wax.

Slopping it over on to chrome and other non-black paint surfaces was not problem, it buffs off clean like any other wax.  It did help to disappear swirls, but imperfections that would require a power buffer to remove, remain.

I'm not sure the wax quality or longevity is as good as tougher paste waxes (or Honda's polymer mirror-glaze wax), but the bike is looking as good as it has ever looked..... until it gets dirty again.

About $17 at Walmart.
 

[BnB Tom]

POS LED headlight

Which LED was it?  I'm going to upgrade the headlight and running lights on front and would like to avoid the one you're unhappy with.  Thanks!

Let me quantify my comment.
1. I'm stepping off of a IS with dual headlights and 55W pod lights.
2. Since I had Lasik a few years back my night vision is poor to middlin.

Riding at night on the standard with, most likely, the stock 45/45 bulb I couldn't see very well.  I switched to the LED but didn't notice much improvement even though it was highly rated on the site.

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/

If you want to take it and try it I'll bring it to the meeting tonight, if you like it flip me a $20 and it's yours.

  Got some bad news for you . . . 

Your poorer night vision comes with age. 

  Rods and cones or something like that.

          Welcome to my world 

[Houdini]

POS LED headlight

Which LED was it?  I'm going to upgrade the headlight and running lights on front and would like to avoid the one you're unhappy with.  Thanks!

Let me quantify my comment.
1. I'm stepping off of a IS with dual headlights and 55W pod lights.
2. Since I had Lasik a few years back my night vision is poor to middlin.

Riding at night on the standard with, most likely, the stock 45/45 bulb I couldn't see very well.  I switched to the LED but didn't notice much improvement even though it was highly rated on the site.

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-led-headlight/

If you want to take it and try it I'll bring it to the meeting tonight, if you like it flip me a $20 and it's yours.

  Got some bad news for you . . . 

Your poorer night vision comes with age. 

  Rods and cones or something like that.

          Welcome to my world 

I agree somewhat, I considered my night vision excellent until Lasik, the first night after I had it done I noticed I couldn't see nearly as well, the surgeon told me that reduced night vision is normal with Lasik.

Still worth it to lose the glasses (except for tiny aspirin bottle print).   

[Ghillie]

Registered and inspected. After 3 years that is huge.

[brew1brew]

well first I bought this Lift, it was $343.99 after the 20% super coupon. Then I put on this tire and replaced the air filter and spark plugs. Next I need to replace the brake pads.

[Brewer]

Rode it to work. I needs a bath and more gas

[Houdini]

Registered and inspected. After 3 years that is huge.

Welcome back Chris, it's been awhile.

[Joevalk]

For about a week I've been messing with my interstate, battery dead. Charged it took it for a ride and it falls on it face under a load. Idles fine and revs fine. Battery not good a day later, so I replaced it thinking that coulda be the problem. Checked for blockage, like a dirt dobber nest in vent tubes and airbox. All clear. Checked the petcock and it did hold vacuum, replaced it to with a new one I had on the shelf. No improvement. Desided to put a heavy dose of techron and rode it. Improved a lot after a ride. Still the the problem is present. The bike has been sitting since Easter.

[RainMaker]

Have you checked the alternator? Put a voltmeter on the battery and run the bike. Does the voltage increase to 14 volts or remain at or under 12 volts? You should probably post to the 1500 tech board.

[Joevalk]

Charges, battery had been getting week for a while. If I didn't run it often, it wouldn't start.
Prolly gunna have to go threw the carbs.

[Christbiker]

Put 'em up for sale 

[BnB Tom]

Put 'em up for sale 

   Not all of them?!! 

[Joevalk]

Put what up forsale?

[Christbiker]

Put 'em up for sale 

   Not all of them?!! 

Yes all three   what ever two sell first determines which one I'll keep (for now) 

Red/White Tourer   Black Standard with extras  Cream/Yellow w/ beetle bags
check out at craigslist dallas 

[Disco]

It was actually yesterday, but I rode my Valkyrie to look at a Valkyrie for a friend who has a Valkyrie whose brother wants to buy a Valkyrie.     

Interstate + trailer combo, that is.

[HayHauler]

It was actually yesterday, but I rode my Valkyrie to look at a Valkyrie for a friend who has a Valkyrie whose brother wants to buy a Valkyrie.     

Interstate + trailer combo, that is.

Saw the pics.  Looks sweet!!!

Put gas in the Valk and rode to work Thursday. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Joevalk]

That was a lot of valkyrie in one sentence

I finally solved my interstate problem. Large amount of sediment was found in the 2, 4, 6 bowls. Number 2 fast jet was clogged.

There is a whole other story on why I had the carbs off 2.5 times, but that all I have to say about that

[Houdini]

Found and repaired a bad connection for the aux lights on my standard.  I tried to switch to LED bulbs but they didn't fit in my housings.

[Firefighter]

been trying to clean my 2000 IS. I need a table lift as I don't like laying on the ground any more. I used to keep bike spotless now not as much fun. Seems to take a lot of effort to look nice and then one ride and it's time again. Dang that back wheel, and all those nook and crannys. Do you guys have hired help to keep your bike shinny? What about owning 3 or 4 bikes like I read here sometimes, how do you keep um up? I also found some kind of rust on the front of the pipes!!! Used chrome polish and cleaned most of it off. Anyway thats what I am still doing in TEXAS AUGUST WEATHER to my Valkyrie today. Its still my baby!                        Firefighter

[big poppa pump]

Installing 1-1/2" handlebars risers on my black & red hot rod.

[Valkpilot]

been trying to clean my 2000 IS. I need a table lift as I don't like laying on the ground any more. I used to keep bike spotless now not as much fun. Seems to take a lot of effort to look nice and then one ride and it's time again. Dang that back wheel, and all those nook and crannys. Do you guys have hired help to keep your bike shinny? What about owning 3 or 4 bikes like I read here sometimes, how do you keep um up? I also found some kind of rust on the front of the pipes!!! Used chrome polish and cleaned most of it off. Anyway thats what I am still doing in TEXAS AUGUST WEATHER to my Valkyrie today. Its still my baby!                        Firefighter

Car wash.

Regularly.

Two minutes soap, 1 minute regular rinse, 1 minute spot-free rinse.  Wipe it down with a towel or micro-fiber cloth and you're done.

The car wash doesn't even come close to throwing as much water on the bike as some of the deluges I've ridden in.  It won't hurt anything.  Just don't high-pressure it, or if you use the high-pressure setting, back off a couple of feet.

[Valkpilot]

I took one of the saddle bag locks apart to remove all the broken bits of the gate door that had self-destructed.

Then, I lubed it, the other saddlebag lock, and the ignition switch with dry-film Teflon spray.

[RainMaker]

I think I'll go start it today and dump some StaBil into the tank.  Hasn't been started in about a month and don't want the carbs to gum up since it will be a while before I ride again.

[Brewer]

Fill the gas and ride

[CDuster]

I installed a "Coyote Gear" Tour Tank six months ago and yesterday I removed it. My self designed clamp on aluminum brackets worked like I planned and the dry-break in the fuel line worked just fine. Took about a minute and a half. After installing an Interstate fuel tank, I did not need the extra fuel for my local riding, longer trips will be a different matter. With the tank installed, the longest distance I made between fuel stops was 257 miles. (kidney range is a different matter)

[Super Santa]

Not actually today, but, very recently I had bike inspected and registration updated for another year.
All legal again.

Now for a little cooler weather.

[Houdini]

Tore the drive train off for an overhaul;



Brakes, o-rings, clean, clean, more cleaning, maybe some powdercoating, new tire, diff oil, etc.

[Joevalk]

I walked by mine for two days that I've been back. Finally backed a few out and spun them over to get the E85 circulating. I hate that stuff   All three sounding good

[brew1brew]

I washed the windshield and rode it to work!

[Houdini]

I mounted my freshly powder coated pumpkin and had a new tire mounted.

Shiny black pumpkin


Sexy new tire


Now I'm impatiently waiting for a box of doo-dads from Partzilla and my rotor to arrive to finish up this project.

[big poppa pump]

I mounted my freshly powder coated pumpkin and had a new tire mounted.

Shiny black pumpkin

Looks good. I thought about PC my pumpkin but instead painted it with POR-15 engine paint. Came out pretty good.

[Joevalk]

What did you have to do before you powder coated the pumpkin?

[RainMaker]

Put StaBil in the tank, shook the bike from side to side and then ran it for about 15 minutes to get the StaBil into the carbs.  No riding for another month but wanted to keep the carbs from gumming up for when I can ride.