1998 1500C project

[rafalc]

Figured I would start a thread for this little project. Got this 1998 Valkyrie with 11k miles, all stock except for a 6 to 6 exhaust, re-jetted, desmogged, T-bars, Corbin solo seat. Plan is to go through it from the ground up, check everything, repair/replace whatever needs to be done. Customize and change the look a bit to my liking. Make it lighter, quicker, will be used around town and short trips 2 up (may want to come up with a modular, quick, good looking 1up to 2up and vice versa set up). I expect this to end up sort of a cruiser/bobber combination.

Here is how she started:





Here is what's been done so far:







Ready for satin black paint





Had to make some special tools along the way









Ready for PC:







Cleaning, getting ready for paint




New timing belts, valves checked/adjusted




Polished/scuffed exhaust. Came out looking better than plain chrome. Might leave it or go with black if that matches the bike better. All the other chrome parts/covers are also getting polished/scuffed and will either be left like that or painted black.




Back from PC.






More to come

[..]

You powder coated inside the calipers and some other holes?

[rafalc]

You powder coated inside the calipers and some other holes?

No, everything was masked off.

[Hook#3287]

Are there pictures?

[rafalc]

Are there pictures?

Sorry, got to figure out why they're not showing up.....

[mello dude]

Are there pictures?

Sorry, got to figure out why they're not showing up.....

What photo site are you using?

[rafalc]

Are there pictures?

Sorry, got to figure out why they're not showing up.....

What photo site are you using?

I thought I would be able to make it work with Google Photos but looks like you can't just share out a whole album like with some other services. (unless I'm missing something)

[..]

You powder coated inside the calipers and some other holes?

No, everything was masked off.

Phew!

[rafalc]

pictures fixed

[BigSherm]

Wow, looking good!

Scott

[Led]

WOW!!   Very ambitious!   With only 11k on it......just do the entire maintenance procedure, and ride it?   It is not even broken in yet!

Of course I see some things need a good hand polishing.   Was it sitting outside for a long period?   If it was, such a shame!

By the way.....NOTHING is better than pure chrome!  Once you "brush" it.......you may as well Ceramic coat it, and wrap it in that shitty looking "tape".   One cannot have too much shiny Chrome!   

[rafalc]

WOW!!   Very ambitious!   With only 11k on it......just do the entire maintenance procedure, and ride it?   It is not even broken in yet!

Of course I see some things need a good hand polishing.   Was it sitting outside for a long period?   If it was, such a shame!

By the way.....NOTHING is better than pure chrome!  Once you "brush" it.......you may as well Ceramic coat it, and wrap it in that shitty looking "tape".   One cannot have too much shiny Chrome!   

hahahahah thanks Led but chrome and I just don't get along. Valve check, new timing belts, new fluids, seized brake calipers, brake rotors, new tires is about all that had to get done. Everything else I plan on doing is just a check since I have the beast apart and well.....customize the look to what I have envisioned.

[larue]

I like your vision and want to see it completed. Great work

[rafalc]

All masked off and ready for paint.







Makeshift paint booth:







Glad I opened up the alternator, one of these 3 connections was broken:

[larue]

Looking good, keep them pics coming :cooldude:f

[rafalc]

Some more progress.....


It's a beautiful engine....why not show it off?











Starter, alternator, thermostat reassembled. Calipers rebuilt, stainless pistons, new seals, pins, etc.






Wheels ready to be put back together, new bearings, seals, cleaned/greased..

[The emperor has no clothes]

Looks pretty cool 

[Valkorado]

   Keep sharing your progress...

[larue]

I'm loving this thread

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Nice! Looking forward to seeing the final pics of the bike... but keep the individual parts photos coming too 

[gordonv]

Nice! I've never thought of painting the engine other than black, bike colour would be nice.

How about the valve covers, what colour?

[rafalc]

Nice! I've never thought of painting the engine other than black, bike colour would be nice.

How about the valve covers, what colour?

It was between black and red. I figured I see a lot of black engines out there so I wanted to try something different.

Timing belt cover and valve covers either same satin black as the rest of the bike or maybe that VHT black wrinkle paint...not sure yet..

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice! I've never thought of painting the engine other than black, bike colour would be nice.

How about the valve covers, what colour?

It was between black and red. I figured I see a lot of black engines out there so I wanted to try something different.

Timing belt cover and valve covers either same satin black as the rest of the bike or maybe that VHT black wrinkle paint...not sure yet..

I think chrome ones would look superb up against the painted block. 

[Hook#3287]

Wow   That red is RED

This is getting very interesting.

[Mikerthebiker]

Na-hice! Loving the red on the block. Keep the pics coming.

[larue]

Bump

[rafalc]

Lots and lots of painting finally done. Still haven't decided what to do with the engine covers, valve covers, and timing belt cover. I'll wait and see how things start looking once its coming back together.








Tires finally mounted, balanced
















Next up carbs. Looks like I have the stock needles and the previous owner changed the jets to 38 / 105, probably to account for the 6 to 6 pipes. Looking for some feedback here...you carb experts or folks who have the 6 to 6, what carb configuration would you recommend. From reading through some threads it looks like I my just stick with the 38/105 and stock needles with no washers?

I'll probably go with the RedEye kit for the typical cleanup and o-ring replacements.

[9Ball]

I found that 102 mains were best with the Cobra 6x6 based on dyno tuning when the bike was new.  Some say stay with stock 100 mains.  Mine was too lean with stock mains and I gained back a few hp with the 102s that were lost with the Cobras and K&N air filter combo.

How did your plugs look with the 105s?  That might be a bit on the fat side and you could probably gain a mpg or two by using smaller mains.

The bike is looking great...looking forward to the finished project pictures.  It will definitely be one-of-a-kind.

[1NorthRyder]

Love what your doing so far. were the rims powder coated or what did you do? I'm wondering about doing that to mine.

[rafalc]

I found that 102 mains were best with the Cobra 6x6 based on dyno tuning when the bike was new.  Some say stay with stock 100 mains.  Mine was too lean with stock mains and I gained back a few hp with the 102s that were lost with the Cobras and K&N air filter combo.

How did your plugs look with the 105s?  That might be a bit on the fat side and you could probably gain a mpg or two by using smaller mains.

The bike is looking great...looking forward to the finished project pictures.  It will definitely be one-of-a-kind.

Thanks. I will have to check the plugs again once its all together and running. I don't remember what they looked like before I started the project. I do remember though that the pipes were a little blue closest to the engine so maybe it was running a bit lean?

What about the stock needles? Based on your experience, would it be a good idea to switch to the C-clip adjustable ones for the ease of trial/error or just run as is and monitor the plugs? Also, no telling what springs are in there.

[rafalc]

Love what your doing so far. were the rims powder coated or what did you do? I'm wondering about doing that to mine.

Yes wheels were powder coated. Originally I was going to paint them but after seeing how much prep work and polishing I would have to do to get rid of the corrosion, I figured let the shop blast it and PD while they're at it.

[gordonv]

I can't find my pictures of the GW GL1500 valve cover. There is the one with the 2 different inserts. One with the GW eagle, and another with 1500/6 on them. I've the second one. Now in black with the chrome insert.

I don't know when I get get to where they are and get another picture, but I will, and try to get them posted. I had them before, but I don't see them anywhere, so I expect they are missing from my thread too.

[Vermonter]

Can't wait to see this all put together! Red engine is a bold choice but I think it will look good with the chrome blacked out.

[9Ball]

Any updates and pictures?

[rafalc]

Any updates and pictures?

Not much progress but progress nonetheless...

New races and bearings












Getting ready to bolt up the engine






Forks assembled, new slider bushings, seals, progressive springs






I wasn't planning on completely rebuilding/cleaning the carbs but might a well now than potentially later. Got the Redeye kit....  let the fun begin

[Valkorado]

That Honda red is going to look mighty spiffy with the black.  Keep posting...

[larue]

Great job, I like different !!! Keep them pictures coming 
Can't wait for the assembly

[pancho]

Nice project rafalc,, I guess you're a detail guy..  looking good.
Wondering how you cleaned and prepped the aluminum pieces for paint? What products did you use and did you prime the block or use zinc chromate or anything like that?

Did you repair that broken field conductor in the alternator? like to see a picture of your repair if so.

[rafalc]

Nice project rafalc,, I guess you're a detail guy..  looking good.
Wondering how you cleaned and prepped the aluminum pieces for paint? What products did you use and did you prime the block or use zinc chromate or anything like that?

Did you repair that broken field conductor in the alternator? like to see a picture of your repair if so.

Thanks. The devil is in the detail...

For the engine I used a foaming de-greaser and small brushes to get it cleaned. Did that twice or three times. Then scuffed everything with a scuffing pad / sand paper. Lots of masking off including bolt heads. Wiped down with acetone/wax remover. Then a 2K (2 part) high temp primer followed by 2K engine paint.

Spraying some of the hidden sides and corners was not easy. As soon as you turn the can a bit it started to spray uneven leaving a rough surface. Had to go over those spots very carefully.

Alternator fix just required some solder to get the wire connected.

[pancho]

Just a word on the alternator repair rafalc. The problem you had is a common one on your model alt.,, there was no strain relief left on that lead as in the one to the left. If you just butted the ends together and soldered them, it will not last. If you cut the waxed string in a way that the ends can be retied and release the lead, melt a slot  in the plastic plate and undo the crimp (high heat and little time to not heat everything up and short a diode) and solder the lead in, you should have a permanent repair that will last the life of the bike. Might want to check the brushes while your in there.
   Just thinking that after you get this bike assembled, you probably won't want to be tearing into it again for awhile.   You know, scratching up your new paint.  

Any progress?