What do you know about removing Tank Badges?

[Paxton]

I intend to remove the badges off my Valk. I've read some references to it but could not find a "how to do it by a CLUMSY dude" post. 

It seems like an easy job but with my impatience and bad luck, I'd probably make a hole in the tank. 
The goal is to remove them w/o scratching the Black paint.  ???

Any tips are most welcome. 

Thanks!

[fordmano]

I think you can use dental floss to cut off the glue on the back of the badges? A length of about 18" wrap and end around each hand and use the floss like a rope saw behind the emblem then go back and worry about cleaning the glue off the tank, pretty sure I read that on this board somewhere.

More senior (LOL ) members I meant more experienced will hopefully provide more info and correct me if I am wrong.

[ricoman]

I had always heard dental floss. Tried it a few times over the years and it breaks very easy. Switched to monofilament fishing line, maybe 8-10 lb. test-not too thick.I lubricate the line with WD-40 the entire time I'm sliding the line behind the emblem. Just keep the back of the emblem soaked with it.
This to keep from leaving cut marks in the paint behind the emblem. Plus the WD softens the adhesive a bit for later removal. One time I had to use a heat gun (low) on the badge to soften the glue-still used the WD.
I'm sure there are other ideas, but this has worked for me more than once.

[Hoser]

I left mine on, as do most, so others wouldn't have to ask what it is.  The question then becomes what's a Valkyrie?  I then get to explain about the Nordic angel of death taking brave warriors to Valhalla after they die on the battlefield.  I like tank badges anyway.  Hoser     

[rrmdeuce]

Just like ricoman said.  Then WD40 to clean off the adhesive. 

[9Ball]

I personally like the tank badges as they are distinctive and without them the paint design looks too open....just a personal preference.

Having removed them on other bikes however, I have found that a hair dryer (don't substitute a heat gun or you will destroy your paint and maybe blow up your garage) focused on the emblem helps to soften up the rubber and allows you to peel the badge away slowly.  Once it begins to peel away it will separate from the tank very easily and you won't have to worry about scratching the paint with fishing line.  Be patient and don't hold the heat directly on the paint.....masking tape will provide some protection to the surrounding surface.

The only real precaution is to cover the fuel cap with a towel to prevent any ignition of the fumes...

[Paxton]

mmdeuce;
My Valk is pretty much like yours, although mine is a 2000 standard. I will follow your method first, as it does not require fishing line or dental floss. 
If the garage blows up, I'll try the dental floss!

I notice that you are in Los Angeles. I live in Glendale. Perhaps we could do some riding together. 

I am very close to Los Angeles Crest Highway... if you've done it then you know it is a beautiful route. 
I'm a "day sleeper." I usually start my rides at 2:30 PM and get back home just around 8:00 PM. I can do this any day... weekday or weekends. 

ricoman and fordmano thank you for your inputs.

Happy Valkyrie day on Father's day. I'm 61 years old but tomorrow I'll be 8.

Here is my scooter:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/BlackWheelsTruckStackPipes?authkey=Gv1sRgCLGw9YWk3cS0dw

"I lie to myself all the time, but I never believe me."

[9Ball]

mmdeuce;
My Valk is pretty much like yours, although mine is a 2000 standard. I will follow your method first, as it does not require fishing line or dental floss. 
If the garage blows up, I'll try the dental floss!

I notice that you are in Los Angeles. I live in Glendale. Perhaps we could do some riding together. 

I am very close to Los Angeles Crest Highway... if you've done it then you know it is a beautiful route. 
I'm a "day sleeper." I usually start my rides at 2:30 PM and get back home just around 8:00 PM. I can do this any day... weekday or weekends. 

ricoman and fordmano thank you for your inputs.

Happy Valkyrie day on Father's day. I'm 61 years old but tomorrow I'll be 8.

Here is my scooter:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/BlackWheelsTruckStackPipes?authkey=Gv1sRgCLGw9YWk3cS0dw

"I lie to myself all the time, but I never believe me."

guess I was no help.....

[Paxton]

JR:
My sincere apologies. I went back to the thread and realized that YOU provided my first choice on how to proceed...   
I suppose I am too excited about doing this today! Again, my apologies to YOU.

I already got my Father's day gifts from my two sons... a new shovel and a used pick... WTF! 

So I'll spend the rest of my day removing badges from Dragonfly. 

P.S: I often experience short memory losses. Also, I often experience short memory losses.  ???

Thank you for your suggestions.

Stay well. Ride safe!

[alph]

i was thinking of something completely different.....

Stinking Badges

[Mr Steve]

mmdeuce;
I'm a "day sleeper." I usually start my rides at 2:30 PM and get back home just around 8:00 PM. I can do this any day... weekday or weekends. 

Too bad you are on the wrong coast.  I'm the same here in MA.  Although weekdays I start later.  I will also ride late night.  Unfortunately everyone I know is a morning person and does not understand "day sleepers".

[Paxton]

Alph;
That's a good one... Thanks! 

Mr. Steve;
I am 61 and retired. I tinker around my garage on my projects 'til about 4:00 AM. 
I live near "the Rodney King Trail..." It's a 6-lane freeway that goes for about 100 miles and it is deserted after midnight.

Last night rode the Vintage Gold Wing for 50 miles each way at sustained speeds of 105-110 MPH...  not a Cop anywhere to be found! 

Got the Valkyrie back in March. So coming September I'll be turning 8 ... although the wife asserts that I'll really be turning 4!

Overnight I mainly spend the time on my other projects...

A. '77 Gold Wing GL1000 CAFE... B. Almost done w/my '90 Miata Supercharged... C. Also doing a 1966 (first year production) Ford Bronco.

Summer 2008, rode solo in my '75 Gold Wing to Albany, NY; Boston, Mass... and  up to Cadillac Mountain in Maine. 

Summer 2007, rode to Miami in my '76 Gold Wing, then north to Albany and Boston.

One sister lives in Albany, another one in New Haven. My nephew is Associate Professor of Astro-Physics at MIT and lives in Boston.

Owned five Naked Gold Wings (1975-78) but am down to one. Now that I stumbled into my my first Valk... can't understand what took me so freakin' long! 

Now I'll die happy. 

"People say that I live in my own little world... and that's OK; everyone knows me there."

[Paxton]

Got those babies off... I followed mostly JR's suggested method. I masked all around the badges and used the old hair dryer.
Could not find the WD40... ended up using a nylon string from my guitar.

They came off rather fast... totally clean; no glue attached to them... 
A couple of beers later I found the WD40 so I used it to soften the epoxy.
The real work was removing that glue... 'bout an hour per side and still not done...   

Thanks for the help!