Interstate Mods

[QuiQuog]

There are things I like about the Interstate, and things I don't. One thing that I don't like is the radiator pods, they block the view of the big beautiful engine. I want to replace them with the chrome radiator side covers that the standard has. Will there be any fitment issues with that, or is the radiator identical? Does anybody have photos of what that will look like?

One of the things I love is the giant fuel tank. That poses a problem, because I also really want to put velocity stacks or the air cleaner looking things on it. If I get a standard tank, loosing the giant-ness of the Interstate tank, do I also loose the fuel gauge? Are there other options for carburetor cap bling on the Interstate without swapping for a smaller tank?

[Steve K (IA)]

There a few who have done this.  My thoughts are if you take the pods off and your gonna get hot. 

[F6BANGER]

  I believe the radiators are the same, you just need to get the chrome side covers. When you take off the pods, the crash bars have an extra flange the pods hook to. To look good you would have to remove the crash bars.  Those pods go for a lot of $$$

Leave the interstate tank and either shim it a little or put little washers between the v-stacks and the black top part of the carb. The washers need to go closest to the tank so they push the top of the v-stack away from the tank. Changing the tank, you loose the fuel gauge.....

[Jess from VA]

You don't remove the IS engine guards, you either cut the pod carriers off (neatly and clearcoat the bare metal), or you replace them with std/tourer engine guards. 

I would not ride (far) or even drop the bike without the guards.  With them, the bike stops well short of flat on it's side in a fall (even a fall and slide), without them you lay down nearly flat, booger the valve covers, bars/grips, mirrors, fairing, pegs/boards, levers, shifter/brake pedal, and probably can't lift it up without assistance.

[Steel cowboy]

This is my experience with an interstate with no pods. The pods are there to channel the hot air from the back side of the radiator away from your feet and the carburators. The interstate air deflector which is mounted in front of the carburators has extended wings. The wings fit into the pods and direct to hot air away. Removing the pods will require you to change (not delete) (cutting the tabs looks ugly) the engine guards for either a standard or a tourer version. They don't have the mounting brackets. There are 2 more brackets that bolt to the frame and radiator with a rubber bumper on them, they too have to be removed. (The cross bolt or buzz bolt is what holds these other two brackets and is slightly longer on an interstate but it will not have to be changed if you go with the conversion).They are also used to mount the pods. You will need to get the proper brackets off a standard or tourer to mount the chrome ends to the radiator. The bolts that secure the chrome end caps are hidden under the reflector that is glued to the end caps. The standard and tourer versions have no wings on the air deflector so you can cut them down to size.
Do not remove the air dam or cut it so short as to allow hot air from the radiator to heat up the carb's. You will have a problem overheating the number 1 & 2 carb's and if stuck in traffic or after a long run in hot weather at interstate speeds you'll experience an extremly high idle (3000 rpm) till you let it cool down.
Trust me, I know!!!
If you do remove the pods they are in high demand if they are in good shape.
PS;
 In shop talk there is an article and pictures of all the parts needed to install pods, just go in reverse to remove them.


My I/S with out them.

[Steel cowboy]

And with them on  

URL=http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/2001valkyrie/media/4b86d002-f050-4a99-97da-f991fdec4e8c_zpsepkupnlr.jpg.html][/URL]

[BradValk48237]

When I bought mine the Previous owner had removed the pods, but they came with the bike... but like others have said, he changed the engine guards and completely left out the plastic "Air Guide" that directs hot air out to the sides of the bike on I/S and Standard....

I put the pods back on and there IS a difference in air flowing back on you....

I like the pods.. but I had them painted 2 tone and striped to match the tank, fairing, and bags.. made them look a lot better in my opinion.... painter did it for like $100..

You can buy the engine guards new for like $220 for both sides.. not too expensive, but the hardest part is getting the plastic air guide.shield back behind the radiator..... PITA..... and its like $45..



I did the Trunk Mod as you can see (Super Valk) and now also have the chrome bag rails.....

B

[QuiQuog]

For me, what makes the Valkyrie stand out, the unique look that identifies a Valk in a second, is the 3 carbs above the 3 intakes above the cylinders. Covering them up masks the beauty of the beast. Having said that, I think the paint job on your pods is really sharp. I like them a lot.

[QuiQuog]

This is my experience with an interstate with no pods. The pods are there to channel the hot air from the back side of the radiator away from your feet and the carburators. The interstate air deflector which is mounted in front of the carburators has extended wings. The wings fit into the pods and direct to hot air away. Removing the pods will require you to change (not delete) (cutting the tabs looks ugly) the engine guards for either a standard or a tourer version. They don't have the mounting brackets. There are 2 more brackets that bolt to the frame and radiator with a rubber bumper on them, they too have to be removed. (The cross bolt or buzz bolt is what holds these other two brackets and is slightly longer on an interstate but it will not have to be changed if you go with the conversion).They are also used to mount the pods. You will need to get the proper brackets off a standard or tourer to mount the chrome ends to the radiator. The bolts that secure the chrome end caps are hidden under the reflector that is glued to the end caps. The standard and tourer versions have no wings on the air deflector so you can cut them down to size.
Do not remove the air dam or cut it so short as to allow hot air from the radiator to heat up the carb's. You will have a problem overheating the number 1 & 2 carb's and if stuck in traffic or after a long run in hot weather at interstate speeds you'll experience an extremly high idle (3000 rpm) till you let it cool down.
Trust me, I know!!!
If you do remove the pods they are in high demand if they are in good shape.
PS;
 In shop talk there is an article and pictures of all the parts needed to install pods, just go in reverse to remove them.


My I/S with out them.

Thanks for all the info, you seem to have a wealth of knowledge on the subject. So, is riding without the pods hotter than a riding a standard?

When you say "You will need to get the proper brackets off a standard or tourer to mount the chrome ends to the radiator," I'm not sure what brackets you're referring to. I compare the exploded views
here http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1999-honda-valkyrie-interstate-gl1500cf/o/m151389#sch307800
and here http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1999-honda-valkyrie-gl1500c/o/m151390#sch613713
But I don't see any brackets that hold on the chrome on, just the pan screw and collar, items 29 and 27. One thing that's different is that the standard has a rubber heat guard, item 7. Any idea what that does?

[Houdini]

He's talking about part #19 and #20 on the Standard microfiche

[Jess from VA]

Heat between std (with windshield) & tourer and IS (interstate) is really a toss up since while the pods may take some heat away, overall the big fairing, shield and wings block more wind than the other models.  And when sitting still, the pods don't do dick.

Running an IS at an easy 25-45 is probably cooler with pods than without.  Faster and turbulence probably equals it all out.

[Bighead]

For me, what makes the Valkyrie stand out, the unique look that identifies a Valk in a second, is the 3 carbs above the 3 intakes above the cylinders. Covering them up masks the beauty of the beast. Having said that, I think the paint job on your pods is really sharp. I like them a lot.

Pods or no pods it is not hard to tell it is a Phat girl and for anyone who don't know what they are ( and there are a ton of folks who don't) removing them won't help them indentify them

[QuiQuog]

He's talking about part #19 and #20 on the Standard microfiche

Aren't 19 and 20 the chrome pieces themselves?

[Steel cowboy]

 19 & 20 are the chrome pieces. 23 & 24 are the brackets that SECURE the radiator to the frame, only found on a standard or tourer. Look at radiator part on the site. Going off Bike Bandits Parts.
To me riding with out the pods was hotter, remember the interstate has the fairing that blocks out the air around you and to your legs. I could feel the fan kick on too, it got hotter. When on the interstate the heat of the engine came right up my legs and with the pods I could feel the difference. But at low speeds they don't do much, remember your not going to heat up the engine as much. I live in Florida 3/4's of the year it's really hot when I put my hand on the pod vents on a long run I CAN feel the heat coming out. All told I paid dearly for my pods and parts needed to install them, but they were worth it to me.
Interstate engine guard, interstate air dam, buzz bolt (interstate version), frame brackets (the top of the pods bolt to them) and proper bolts (got them from Honda) for the pods, oh and pods.

URL=http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/2001valkyrie/media/image_zpsh0bjwz80.jpeg.html][/URL]

[northernunity]

Steel Cowboy ... can you help me out please.

In your picture of the black interstate ... looks like you have arm rests for the passenger.  Are they stock from some other bike ?, custom made, adapted from?

Really interested in those for the boss sitting behind me.

Thanx ...

[Steel cowboy]

I belive his name is Barry and he makes them. But just so you know they don't swing out, you have to remove the middle half to open the trunk all the way. The arm rest are made of 3 pieces, part (1) that bolts to the trunk support, part (2) comes up the front of the trunk and slides into part 1 and is held on with a wing bolt and the arm rest which is also held on by a wing bolt. What I did, was remove the wing nut from part 1 and let part 2 slide in to part 1 it can't go anywhere or rotate since it's a square tube. The arm rest part is round and I notched them so as not to turn. The chrome is excellent it has not pitted or shown discoloration as of date. One more thing he makes them as needed so you might have to wait a bit, I belive it took about 30 days to get mine. Well worth the wait.
My girlfriend (the boss too) loves them they make her feel more secure. I also moved the trunk back 1 inch to make her more comfortable. Yes an inch makes a big difference. LOL. I posted the step by step procedure on that and Sixlow (Mike) was kind enough to add pictures to it. It takes about 45 minutes to do it. Look for his post.

http://www.bigbikethings.com/category/armrests

[F6BANGER]

You don't remove the IS engine guards, you either cut the pod carriers off (neatly and clearcoat the bare metal), or you replace them with std/tourer engine guards. 

I would not ride (far) or even drop the bike without the guards.  With them, the bike stops well short of flat on it's side in a fall (even a fall and slide), without them you lay down nearly flat, booger the valve covers, bars/grips, mirrors, fairing, pegs/boards, levers, shifter/brake pedal, and probably can't lift it up without assistance.

Thats what I meant,    remove and replace. Cutting the flange doesnt look good.