It is finally home`

[Oss]

Riding out of Orangeburg it really felt squirrely and you know how i feel about them so went to check the air pressure at a Shell  I was wondering WTF have I got myself into

It was almost 26lbs in rear, fed 1.50 into the air machine (yeah robbery) and it never started, walked inside got my refund went down the road to a Gulf, the mechanic I knew as a kid was there  He is a widower and guess he decided might as well make a buck today. What a trip down memory lane that was    Man must be close to 86 like mom by now. He right away was talkin how my mom comes to his station even though gas is cheaper in Jersey 4 miles away. We are loyal to friends what can I say

So pump tire  (free)  to 34 lbs and head east on 340 thru Sparkhill towards Piermont and up 9W           It felt much better till I hit those truck ruts

Boy howdy I forgot how those car tires like to dive to the bottom of ruts but heading north past them and on fresh blacktop I felt rock solid on the bike. So much so that I decided to head over the Tappan Zee Bridge which was moving at 60, so I could catch a breeze off the river.

Stan's bike feels lower and I have to adjust the highway pegs to use them, am not sure why its lower  I have stock shocks Stan has air shocks Could that be it?

In the welcoming wind on the bridge bike was happy I was happy  putzing along at 65 with traffic. Easy input to countersteer and bike tire felt good.  I had a car tire once before and vowed never again. Then bought a taxi tire but havent yet run the E3 out of tread so this was my first car tire in 10 years??

Got off at the Saw Mill North exit and I actually felt it was easier to keep the bike on the lean thru the downhill sweepers. same getting off on 9A.

Now I have put the bike where the police bike was.. The bmw will sit in the driveway under a cover till I decide whether to keep this bike in Orangeburg or home.  Later this week I will take it to inspection so I can ride upstate without fear of impound tickets.

Not a long ride but as a test ride I was ok with it. Did notice that I had to concentrate on relaxing my grip on the bars as my memory of the last car tire was on my mind.  Time will tell if I keep this bike  as it is configured or not maybe put a 200 Exedra Bridgestone on it After all it was my favorite tire. I do have a spare wheel with an old Metz on it can swap out anytime.

[The emperor has no clothes]

That’s a beautiful bike you picked up 

[Oss]

Thanks. It looks good riding and in the garage

Was a full day, spent the morning pressure washing my mom's walkway from the street around to the back of the house to remove the moss and all the weeds growing between the pavers. Then spent some more time removing the dirt from the house with the washer.  Came out great.  I looked like I lost a mud match though lol

Here is a pic of the bikes in garage  

You can see the bushtec trailer in the back corner which is standing vertical (it rests on styrofoam) and is tied to the wall

[vanavyman]

Looks nice.  Plenty of room for 2 Interstates.  Super Valk one would be nice.

Dan

[DGS65]

I drove under the TZ bridge today around 1pm returning from a boat trip I was away for about 10 days.
I missed riding the bike!  BTW I live in Nanuet and I have a compressor I won't change you to use it
Where about in Orangeburg is it, Betsy Ross?  I just drive through your neighborhood heading out to dinner in Old Tappan this evening.  

[Oss]

you passed Henry Street 

When we moved there Betsy Ross neighborhood was still woods

Used to be able to walk thru the woods all the way to Hog Rd and the reservoir below Blue Hill

[DGS65]

Yes I know Henry street I have had customers on the street in the past. 
I think the only one left is on Howard and maybe Dogwood I believe is right there as well.
Not sure how old you are but you may know the name Mitch Eininger I believe he grew up there as well.  He happens to be a friend of mine and a fellow bike enthusiast but no longer has a bike at least not at this time.
 

[Oss]

finally had a chance to take the 99 into the Bronx for the inspection

First I upped the air in the rear to 38 and noticed the front was down to 33  so I upped that to 40 (venom)

Once past the ruts in my town she was noticeably better behaved as easy to ease thru sweepers as the other Valk but nothing handles like the police bike

Stan's bike sits quite a bit lower than my interstate which has the Russell seat, perhaps its the lowboy seat but I think also the air shocks may have something to do with it

Being I have small hands, the iso grips really tire out my throttle hand quikly, maybe I can get them off and put stock back on  if they arent already under there? How does that work anyways?

So far, frankly, and much to my surprise it is my least favorite of my 3 to ride but is the best sounding by far. But I am a patient man and I will see if I can make it fit me.

Elsewise I may end up havin to sell the most beautiful bike I have ever owned  

[hubcapsc]

Being I have small hands, the iso grips really tire out my throttle hand quikly, maybe I can get them off and put stock back on  if they arent already under there? How does that work anyways?

The OEMs aren't under there, you'll have to get a set. I got a used set at InZane
for $20, the ones on my 1500 are starting to look ratty. New ones come with the
"pipe" for the throttle side.

The iso grips will probably come off pretty easy with compressed air. If not,
maybe ask Stan what he glued them on with  ...

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1997/gl1500ct-a-valkyrie-tourer/switch-cable

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

finally had a chance to take the 99 into the Bronx for the inspection

First I upped the air in the rear to 38 and noticed the front was down to 33  so I upped that to 40 (venom)

Once past the ruts in my town she was noticeably better behaved as easy to ease thru sweepers as the other Valk but nothing handles like the police bike

Stan's bike sits quite a bit lower than my interstate which has the Russell seat, perhaps its the lowboy seat but I think also the air shocks may have something to do with it

Being I have small hands, the iso grips really tire out my throttle hand quikly, maybe I can get them off and put stock back on  if they arent already under there? How does that work anyways?

So far, frankly, and much to my surprise it is my least favorite of my 3 to ride but is the best sounding by far. But I am a patient man and I will see if I can make it fit me.

Elsewise I may end up havin to sell the most beautiful bike I have ever owned  

new seat, new shocks, new grips and you will feel comfortable again  the low boy was not good for me and you have 6 or 8 inches on me. (Even if you do have little hands) 

[Oss]

lol Meat

Yeah I gots these giant feet 13EEE (5E in new balance sneakers is all I can wear)

That is why I took the rear peg off of the kickshifter on my interstate

I just bang on the metal where it curves and it works real nice for me

Moved the highway pegs up and out and will experiment some more.
Also I will have the russell seat on for the next ride on the 99 valk to see the difference in my ride.

Done riding for today going to just float in the pool all day with some fat tire beers and a good book

Thanks Mike for the lead on grips !