Got some bits back from plating and polishing

[Colin]

I am rebuilding a 1996 basket case bumble bee. I found a local polisher and plater to restore some of my pieces to their former glory. I finally got them back today.

The timing belt cover was in a terrible state with all the chrome peeling. The cost of re-chroming was excessive and so he suggested just stripping and polishing and so that is what I had him do.

This is what it looked like before



And today



this is what the kick stand looked like



and today



And the forks are just great



Now I have these pieces back I can get stuck in and start putting it all together.

More photos including the wheels on my rebuild site.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Looking good Colin. Keep the pics coming. 

[Black Dog]

Everything looks great!  Keep us posted on your progress.

Black Dog

[Disco]

+1   

That kick stand looks too pretty to put on the ground!

[Serk]

Nice and shiny!

One comment though... There was no 1996 Valkyrie... 1997 was the first year... 

[X Ring]

It may be a '97 but like mine it was made in '96.

Marty

[f6john]

     How about the forks, polished or plated? They look fine, and the timing cover looks great with the polish job.

[Colin]

Serk: My Valk was made in 96 and first registered in September 96 in IL according to the original registration papers I got with it. The frame sticker says 1997 model on it like my 2001 VT750DC sticker says 2002 model on it but it was first registered in 2001 in the US.

F6John: The forks are polished but they look like chrome, I was extra careful mounting them so they didn't get scratched even had SWMBO using a ratchet for the first time to nip up the allen bolts to hold them in place so that I could have both hands holding them

Dave in Frisco: I agree but I'm not getting a centre stand 50$ for the strip polish and re-chrome was far cheaper than buying a new one.

Thanks everyone for the comments hopefully I will be out riding the Valk soon.

[Rumpole]

G'day all from the land down under.

I bought a 12/97 Val about 2 years ago. She had 13,000 km on her then, and now has only about 15,000 - I also have an 06 Goldwing, and spend a bit of time riding that - she has over 82,000 km on her, and we have just finished a ride around Australia (12,500 km) for charity. You can read my blog about that, if your interested, here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/ozjag/2/tpod.html

I digress ...

Anyway, i have decided to extract the digit, and get VAL looking as good, or better, than she did in 1997. I'm not the most accomplished mechanic (in fact I'm a total amateur), but have got the books and articles, and a good set of tools, so have taken the plunge.  

I'm starting at the front end, and have removed the front wheel. I'm going to send both wheels off to get polished. It's my also my intention to pull apart the brake calipers, and shine them up, replace the pads, lines and brake fluid.

I want to remove the forks, but not break them down, and polish the bits that need polishing.

What i am after is advice. Either direct, or point me at where i need to go. I've given myself two years to do this, as i work full time, and like to go away on the Wing. I'm in no hurry, and want to have the VAL looking schmiko at the end.

I've uploaded some more pics here: http://gallery.me.com/paulwkerr/100363

Cheers

Rumpole.  

[..]

G'day all from the land down under.

I bought a 12/97 Val about 2 years ago. She had 13,000 km on her then, and now has only about 15,000 - I also have an 06 Goldwing, and spend a bit of time riding that - she has over 82,000 km on her, and we have just finished a ride around Australia (12,500 km) for charity. You can read my blog about that, if your interested, here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/ozjag/2/tpod.html

I digress ...

Anyway, i have decided to extract the digit, and get VAL looking as good, or better, than she did in 1997. I'm not the most accomplished mechanic (in fact I'm a total amateur), but have got the books and articles, and a good set of tools, so have taken the plunge.  

I'm starting at the front end, and have removed the front wheel. I'm going to send both wheels off to get polished. It's my also my intention to pull apart the brake calipers, and shine them up, replace the pads, lines and brake fluid.

I want to remove the forks, but not break them down, and polish the bits that need polishing.

What i am after is advice. Either direct, or point me at where i need to go. I've given myself two years to do this, as i work full time, and like to go away on the Wing. I'm in no hurry, and want to have the VAL looking schmiko at the end.

I've uploaded some more pics here: http://gallery.me.com/paulwkerr/100363

Cheers

Rumpole.  

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/ShopTalk/ValkMaintManAcrobatPDF.pdf

http://www.google.com/search?q=valkyrie+shop+talk&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBR_en

[Colin]

Those look sweet.  What did they charge for the cam cover?

Sorry I don't know it was included with the rest of the polishing. However, after 9 months of use it is something I would NOT recommend. The base metal is NOT pure ally and as a result it is a pig to keep clean and shiny and any water splashes stain it badly. I will be on the lookout for a decent s/h one or a grotty one and have the polished one re-plated.

[Walküre]

G'day all from the land down under.

What i am after is advice. Either direct, or point me at where i need to go. I've given myself two years to do this, as i work full time, and like to go away on the Wing. I'm in no hurry, and want to have the VAL looking schmiko at the end.

Cheers

Rumpole.  

Thought I'd have to go to babblefish, to figure THAT one out, but found it in the Urban Dictionary...

1.    schmicko    

adj.

1. An Australian term meaning full of glamour; charmingly or fascinatingly attractive, esp. in a mysterious or magical way.

2. Term used to describe a way of dress, mostly cocktail.
"Geeeeeeeez.... Ewa looked schmicko in her get up last night, she didn't look a day over 15. Wish I was a leap year baby."

At least THAT'S cleared up! I LIKE it!! Maybe someone will name their Valk that...

[Rumpole]

Glad it brought you some amusement!

I've learned more about my bike in 10 days than i had in 2 years!

http://gallery.me.com/paulwkerr#100363

http://gallery.me.com/paulwkerr#100382

Gotta fly, me oppo's in the rubby dub, and i'm fangin for a sherbert!

Cheers

[Rumpole]

Finished. Two years, eight months and 23 days, with a little help from my friends ...

Can't wait to get out on the tar, and to celebrate the release of the F6B, I got myself a new plate ...

[..]

She's a beaut!