Clear coated Wheels

[cfloyd]

Did Honda put clear coat on all Valkyrie wheels?  I have a 2000 standard and just assume that they were clear coated at the factory.  I am about to spend some time polishing and some products such as White Diamond are not suppose to be used on coated surfaces. 

Any information would be very much appreicated.

By the way, please enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and close friends.

[Trynt]

2000 to 2003 Valk  Wheels came clear coated from the factory.

[Thunderbolt]

when clear coated wheels came about.  From Dag's Valkyrienorway site.
 





MODEL DIFFERENCES




Year to Year

Differences from the previous years' model (other than color)









Model
Standard
Tourer
Interstate



1997
Engine:

• VPKOA carb (49-state).

• VPKOB carb (Calif).

• Jet needle J6KG.
Engine:

• VPKOA carb (49-state).

• VPKOB carb (Calif).

• Jet needle J6KG.
 










1998
Engine:

• VPKOJ carbs (49-state).

• VPKOK carbs (Calif.).

• Jet needle J6KJ.

• Cyl Head P/N change.



Frame:

• Larger front wheel bearing

(with different seals and axle).

• Black wire wrap added to lower radiator hose.
Engine:

• VPKOJ carbs (49-state).

• VPKOK carbs (Calif.).

• Jet needle J6KJ.

• Cyl Head P/N change.



Frame:

• Larger front wheel bearing (with

different seals and axle).

• "Tourer" emblem added to windshield trim.
 
1999
Frame:

• Chrome horn cover added.
Frame:

• Chrome horn cover added.

• Seamless hardbags.
                                                           










2000
Engine:

• "Made in USA" no longer appears on engine.

• Engine Coolant Temp Indicator Unit eliminated (sensor now

directly controls LED).



Frame:

• I/S -style turn signals (no screws in lense face).

• New Seat design (I/W '97-'99).

• Seat height changed to 28.9" from 29.1".

• Chrome wire wrap added to lower radiator hose.

• "Made in USA" no longer on rear seat.

• Tank badge changed from "F6" to Maidenhead design.

• Heavier rear brake rotor (caused different wheel, caliper

bracket and rotor mount bolts).

• Extra protective boot on start relay.

• Polished rear transfer case.

• Lower triple clamp P/N change.
Engine:

• "Made in USA" no longer appears on engine.

• Engine Coolant Temp Indicator Unit eliminated (sensor now

directly controls LED).



Frame:

• I/S -style turn signals (no screws in lense face).

• New Seat design (I/W '97-'99).

• Seat height changed to 28.9" from 29.1".

• Chrome wire wrap added to lower radiator hose.

• "Made in USA" no longer on rear seat.

• Tank badge changed from "F6" to Maidenhead design.

• Heavier rear brake rotor (caused different wheel, caliper bracket and rotor mount bolts).

• Extra protective boot on start relay.
Frame:

• Chrome wire wrap added

to lower radiator hose.

(added to 2000 models

in production in late '99)



2001
• Polished & clearcoated wheels

• Front wheel is only machined

outside of brake rotor shadow.
   









Differences between US 49-State and California Models



Engine:

[BigM]

Evidently some of the 2001 were clearcoated. But my 01 I/S is not. Wish it did. Look much better.

[NITRO]

Weird that yours wasn't, BigM. I thought all were clear coated from '01 on. Did you buy the bike new?

My 2000 Standard didn't have clear coated, not does my 2000 IS. I now have a '01 rear wheel on the IS that is clear coated.

[RonW]

Did Honda put clear coat on all Valkyrie wheels?  I have a 2000 standard and just assume that they were clear coated at the factory.

the wheels on my 2000 Tourer does seem to have a clear coat layer. Sure looks like it. That brooches the question on what to use to polish clear coated wheels.

[Disco]

My 2000 Standard did not have clearcoated wheels when I got it...

[Ricky-D]

A real good inspection of the wheels will reveal whether or not they are clear coated.

Especially easy if there is another Valkyrie alongside to compare with.

An easy test is a little aluminum polish in a small area. Won't take much rubbing to produce a little shiny place compared to the surrounding area!

***

[Bagger John - #3785]

To the best of my knowledge, 2001-2003 Standards were the only models to get clear-coated wheels.

If your pre-2001 STandard/Tourer model or 2001 I/S has them, odds are the OEM (polished only) units have been swapped at some time.

[Hoghead]

Put some aluminum polish on a liittle spot and rub it. If your rag turns black they are not clearcoated.