180mm Front Tire Done!

[Big Sherm]

After doing this to my 1500 Valkyrie, it is SO much more fun to ride, and makes such a difference in its appearance, I had to do it to my new-to-me 1800.



The 1800 has even more of an out-of-the-way-I'm-coming-through attitude than the 1500, and this amplifies that.
It feels like riding a cartoon superhero's bike!

I was prepared for the handling to be atrocious, but it absolutely isn't!
In fact, even with my sporty tendencies and amateur road racing past, I love the way it handles, and love leaning it way over.

I chose the 180mm Dunlop 207 Sportmax rear tire on the front because it has a pretty tall and pointy tread profile, similar to a standard front tire, and after a few rides in the curves, that seems like a good choice.

The wheel is a Performance Machine Assault 5.5 x 18 wheel that's meant for front wheel use, normally used by Harley guys for their wide front tire conversions.  It's beautiful, and perfectly matches the rear Honda wheel.



The brakes are awesome 330mm/13" Performance Machine rotors.  I spaced the stock Valk Nissin calipers out with spacers meant for adding larger discs to a Honda VTR1000, which has our same Nissin 4 pot calipers.
The new brake setup is great!  Quite powerful.
Some braided lines will finish up an the brakes in the front.

The sides of rear of the stock fender were rubbing the new tire, so I trimmed them off.

I lowered the front, sliding the fork tubes up 22mm in the triple clamps, and a taller 200/55 rear tire will get a slightly sportier attitude.

Sherm

[Robert]

interesting setup.

Did the raising of the front forks change the handling? I know it moved the front tire closer to the bike but was interested in the handling in doing that.

Nice looking BTW 

[Big Sherm]

Hey Robert.
Thanks!
The new tire is slightly taller than the stock front tire, so I slid the fork tubes up to get the front of the bike back down near where it was.
About 25mm is the most the tubes could be slid up without them contacting the inside of the plastic fork covers.
As it is now, it's pretty close to the stock attitude, and it's hard to tell how much of the difference in handling is from the slight increase in trail from the larger diameter tire, vs the difference from being a much wider tire.
I only briefly rode it with the new front setup before I lowered the front back down, so I didn't get much of a feel for riding it when the front was slightly higher.
I love the way it handles now, and it now feels normal when I ride it.
I've slid the front forks up in the clamps on many bikes I've had in the past, though, and I always liked the effect.
It seems to make the front wheel a little more solidly planted in turns.
I would've done that to this bike, even if I kept the stock front wheel.
I've been thinking of raising the rear of the bike for more of the same effect.
I put the spurs to it on a good curvy ride the other day!

Sherm

[Robert]

 I dont think you picked a road with enough turns  

This bike will never let you down and is always up to wherever you want to go.

I went the opposite way on tires but I may have to try your trick and see how it goes.

Where is that pic at I dont recognize the area.

[Big Sherm]

Robert,
That route was from San Bernardino, California, up the mountain to Crestline, down the other side to Silverwood Lake, and back again.
It's near me, and the last five miles to Silverwood Lake is so fun, and usually so empty, sometimes I'll do it several times in one ride.
There are many things I hate about California, but the awesome motorcycle roads are one thing to love!

Sherm

[Jess from VA]

I did that very ride (and others) while stationed at March AFB CA ('87-'92).

Course, I had a different bike back then.

[Robert]

Robert,
That route was from San Bernardino, California, up the mountain to Crestline, down the other side to Silverwood Lake, and back again.
It’s near me, and the last five miles to Silverwood Lake is so fun, and usually so empty, sometimes I’ll do it several times in one ride.
There are many things I hate about California, but the awesome motorcycle roads are one thing to love!

Sherm

Sorry took a bit to respond but California is my favorite place. i have been in some of the places you mentioned its a great area. Love the coast, love Santa Barbra. but The cost was prohibitive but now it seems almost everywhere is catching up.

Some of the best riding area especially along the Pacific Coast Hwy.

Used to love the beach in the AM would go walking for awhile up the coast and back. Didnt have the Valk back then but would have really enjoyed going through the neighborhoods to see the houses and then out to Barstow Station and the desert. Have you been to San Fransico with the steep inclines on the roads?

I drove those in a car I had that was a clutch and it was no problem and fun. California has so much to do and see for the land itself.

[Robert]

I did that very ride (and others) while stationed at March AFB CA ('87-'92).

Course, I had a different bike back then.

Nice looking bike 

[Jess from VA]

I did that very ride (and others) while stationed at March AFB CA ('87-'92).

Course, I had a different bike back then.

Nice looking bike 

It was a nice bike for a Harley.  A carbureted 1340 Evo, an FXRD (1 of 1000 is what they advertised).  I threw a bunch of money at a better carb, adjustable pushers, roller rockers, punched out 10 over, 2 into 1 better breathing exhaust... and got to about 80HP.

I liked black dressers, so next up was the Valk Interstate, in black.  It smoked the Harley at 100HP box stock.  And about 500 percent more reliable than the Hog too.

[Robert]

I did that very ride (and others) while stationed at March AFB CA ('87-'92).

Course, I had a different bike back then.

Nice looking bike 

It was a nice bike for a Harley.  A carbureted 1340 Evo, an FXRD (1 of 1000 is what they advertised).  I threw a bunch of money at a better carb, adjustable pushers, roller rockers, punched out 10 over, 2 into 1 better breathing exhaust... and got to about 80HP.

I liked black dressers, so next up was the Valk Interstate, in black.  It smoked the Harley at 100HP box stock.  And about 500 percent more reliable than the Hog too.

[cvsisinthehouse]

I went a cheaper route and just put a 140-80 dirt track tire up front on the stock wheel. I had to raise the fender up as this tire is a monster, and my brake line is tight around the fender.   How much did everything cost you?  I will post a pic of mine shortly, dont have any handy.