Valve Cover Questions

[Bambam650]

I was taking a little flak for hijacking another thread to discuss valve covers so I decided to start a new one on this topic.  I was intrigued when I saw the valve covers on Rude Dog’s bike and wanted to know more about them.  Long story short, they are not aftermarket, they are off of a GL1500SE from years 1998 – 2000 that were powder coated and that is where my questions come in.   Another forum member posted a link to a Procaliber website for the covers to a 2000 GL1500SE.  The covers look identical to what RD has on his bike and sell for $207.50 each on their website.  Then I looked up the covers for a 1999 GL1500SE and they also look identical, but have a different part number and sell for $177.74.  Same for the 1998 model year.  So is there any difference between these valve covers and if not, why would the 2000 model year ones be more expensive.  The rubber valve cover gasket is the same for all three years.

Then I decided to look up the covers on my ’97 standard and got even more confused.  I thought the right and left side covers on my bike were not interchangeable, but the parts fiche shows only one line item for both covers.  How can that be?  I swear the shape of the covers on my Valk are different from front to back.  In other words, they are not symmetrical so I don’t see how they could be interchanged.  Can someone please explain to me how that works.

[sandy]

On a Valk there's no writing therefore you can flip the cover over. The 1500 wing has writing so they are not interchangeable.

[Bambam650]

Yes, but they don't appear to be symmetrical about the horizontal axis either?

[Westsider]

Yep, no lefts or rights in either style, all fit , the wing covers are thicker though, so if you want them you need to get the wings cover bolts, about a 1/4 inch longer

[98valk]

I was taking a little flak for hijacking another thread to discuss valve covers so I decided to start a new one on this topic.  I was intrigued when I saw the valve covers on Rude Dog’s bike and wanted to know more about them.  Long story short, they are not aftermarket, they are off of a GL1500SE from years 1998 – 2000 that were powder coated and that is where my questions come in.   Another forum member posted a link to a Procaliber website for the covers to a 2000 GL1500SE.  The covers look identical to what RD has on his bike and sell for $207.50 each on their website.  Then I looked up the covers for a 1999 GL1500SE and they also look identical, but have a different part number and sell for $177.74.  Same for the 1998 model year.  So is there any difference between these valve covers and if not, why would the 2000 model year ones be more expensive.  The rubber valve cover gasket is the same for all three years.

Then I decided to look up the covers on my ’97 standard and got even more confused.  I thought the right and left side covers on my bike were not interchangeable, but the parts fiche shows only one line item for both covers.  How can that be?  I swear the shape of the covers on my Valk are different from front to back.  In other words, they are not symmetrical so I don’t see how they could be interchanged.  Can someone please explain to me how that works.

there were a lot of posts on that thread. u must have missed mine,...
For the last yr, 2000 GL1500 GW the valve covers were chrome, reason for the higher cost than the other yrs.
other yrs were brushed aluminum with a clear coat I believe and will polish up almost looking like chrome. u need the attachment bolts for those yr valve covers, the valkyire bolts will not work.

[Bambam650]

Got it, thanks.  I assume the Valkyrie washers and rubber seals will work with the GW covers.  Is that right?

[98valk]

Got it, thanks.  I assume the Valkyrie washers and rubber seals will work with the GW covers.  Is that right?

not sure. I just bought a used set of bolts on ebay which came with them.

just check them and my notes, washers and round gaskets are the same all valve covers.

[BF]

Everybody seems to be powder coating them with a black "crinkle" or "wrinkle called tuxedo" powder coat. 

Wonder why the crinkle/wrinkle coat?  Has anybody powder coated them in a black gloss?  If not, why not?

[Bagger John - #3785]

Everybody seems to be powder coating them with a black "crinkle" or "wrinkle called tuxedo" powder coat. 

Wonder why the crinkle/wrinkle coat?  Has anybody powder coated them in a black gloss?  If not, why not?

I'm going to look into gloss black when I get mine done. Perhaps there's a difference in heat resistance?

[gordonv]

I bought these.



Then there are also these ones.



The difference are these inserts, which can be replaced.



Rude Dog used these ones. Looks like they are being polished.



I wasn't aware of the difference in bolts. I think they came with the GW bolts, but it's been a few years since I looked at them.

I believe they are all interchangeable between the right/left. There is only "one" style mount for them all, so year/model doesn't matter. Only what you want, and how you want it to look. I was wanting the 1500/6 for the Valkyrie, without the GW eagle emblem. I liked the chrome center piece more than the "1500" on the side.

Was going to paint mine black or black chrome from Dupli-color. Bought it, but never put it on yet. Was also going to do my rims.
http://www.duplicolor.com/product/shadow-chrome-black-out-coating

[Bambam650]

Great information Gordon and thanks for the photos.  Do you know off hand how the replaceable emblem is attached.  Is it just held on with some pressure sensitive foam tape?  I think I like the ones RD used the best, but they don't appear that easy to find.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Great information Gordon and thanks for the photos.  Do you know off hand how the replaceable emblem is attached.  Is it just held on with some pressure sensitive foam tape?  I think I like the ones RD used the best, but they don't appear that easy to find.

Pretty sure it is installed with double stick tape that comes with them or get some at a auto supply chain.

[98valk]

there is a set of the covers that need the insert which were chromed on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-GL1500-GOLDWING-CHROME-RIGHT-CYLINDER-HEAD-COVER-GL-1500-88-90-/121642528722?hash=item1c5275afd2&vxp=mtr

[gordonv]

I think it's held on also by double sided tape. I was going to remove mine so I could clean the covers up before painting. Maybe a light sand blasting. Then using quality 3M auto tape, replace them.