Wrecked my BumbleBee

[abaas]

I am Alexander. I am 22 years old, and since i was 17 i have been riding my 2000 Honda Valkyrie. I love it, BUT I think it is time to put my own touches on the bike. This is the very beginning of my adventure of modifying or customizing my Valk. If it was untouched, I would leave it in perfect stock form. Sense it is far from a perfect virgin Valkyrie.

October 29, 2013 I laid it over in the hill country of West Texas.(Bandera Area) Fortunately the bike is not in to bad of shape. Shortly after the wreck I was thinking of just replacing the bike altogether, BUT I am of the opinion for a man of my size 6'7, 290 lbs. That a bike like this was almost perfect for me, and I love it to much to just leave it how it is. The Valk is a very unique looking bike, and it always blows my mind how well it performs for it size. So i cannot just kick her to the curb.

I am looking into rebuilding it my own special way, though I will be sticking with the black and yellow paint scheme(modified possibly). The main purpose of this thread is to see if I could get some cool ideas(aside from my own ideas) OR what Valkyrie riders think needs to be improved on the Valkyrie motorcycle.

The main two ideas i want to work off of are reducing weight up the bike and improving stopping power.

Engine - Needs some tuning, I would like to be able to get more power out of the bike without substantially ruining my fuel economy. (maybe just a good tuning?)

If I was to put the bike back in original condition, the parts I would need as follows:

Front Fender
Handlebars
Left forwards controls
Left/Right Mirror
Left/Right Front Indicators
New headlight casing(unit?)

I will include photos as I continue with my adventure on customization, but this is the start(so I am in the process of saving) BUT with anything, you have to budget so I like to hear others ideas so i can get a rough estimate on how much i will need.

Thanks for the support.

Alexander...

EDITED(Nov/5/2013@18:18:46)




On my way to Biketoberfest 2013


@Daytona w/ my Dad




The fender is bent, its hard to see because immediately after the wreck i bent it back so i could ride it back to the RV.

[SpidyJ]

Sorry to hear about the wreck.  I assume you are OK?

I would rely on this board, Craigslist and E'bay for the rebuild.  You never know what good OEM or custom parts you will find.

Take your time.

Good Luck.

[mmurffy03]

most custom bikes have tons of cash thrown at them to make them look unique start with getting it up and running and make sure there isn't any hidden damage first then break out your wallet I have over 10 grand in add on chrome and such still haven't considered paint that's a thousands more for a good job remember custom starts with c  and c means cash oh by the way whatever you put into it don't expect to get any back when you sell it nowdays a standard is under 5 grand and a interstate well a high mile one is on ebay for 4200.00 buy it now so keep that in mind as you spend your hard earned money

[Former BMW Guy]

When I bought my 98 Standard, the first thing I did was to strip all the crap off of it. Reduced the weight considerably. Its now a completely stock solo ride. The only thing I would do differently would be to convert it into a bobber.

Just my $.02

Joe P

[Skinhead]

Get Ahold Of Momz.

[Gryphon Rider]

The Valkyrie's brakes are actually quite excellent when maintained properly, considering the age of the design and lack of ABS.  In 2004, the Promocycle Foundation (of Quebec) published a study, "Task Analysis for Intensive Braking of a Motorcycle in a Straight Line", using a 2001 Honda CBR929RR and a 1999 Valkyrie.  They found the average braking distances from 100-0 km/h between the two bikes to be virtually identical, at 41.67m and 41.83m respectively.  The average of their ten best runs was 38.35m, but they don't say which bike was used in each of the ten best runs.
http://www.promocycle.com/documentations/studies-eng/amorfrein_e.pdf

Aside from playing with different pads and rotors, the only practical thing that can be done to improve braking over stock is to install stainless steel braided brake lines.  This will improve feel, but not ultimate braking pressure.

[Momz]

How about something like my "Rat Rod Valk"?
Power Mods: K&N air filter. polished intakes, I/S carb springs, I/S ICM, simple ECT mod., Cobra 6x2 pipes and desmogged.  Also lightened and lowered, with a ton of black powdercoat.

Paint is a personal thing, but black with yellow scallops would be very "Ol Skool"

[cutter]

Alex, (abaas) You have a brother named Mathijs? Hope your alright?

[quexpress]

Install a K&N sans the prefilter just to piss off John U and all others that cry in their sleep about K&N filters magically killing engines. 

Oops! Mine has been set up that way since 2002 ... yet purrs like a cat. 

[abaas]

most custom bikes have tons of cash thrown at them to make them look unique start with getting it up and running and make sure there isn't any hidden damage first then break out your wallet I have over 10 grand in add on chrome and such still haven't considered paint that's a thousands more for a good job remember custom starts with c  and c means cash oh by the way whatever you put into it don't expect to get any back when you sell it nowdays a standard is under 5 grand and a interstate well a high mile one is on ebay for 4200.00 buy it now so keep that in mind as you spend your hard earned money

I was actually thinking i would need at least 10 thousand even before paint. thanks for the tips, i plan on keeping the valk until i die.

[abaas]

Sorry to hear about the wreck.  I assume you are OK?

I would rely on this board, Craigslist and E'bay for the rebuild.  You never know what good OEM or custom parts you will find.

Take your time.

Good Luck.

I am okay, the worst thing to me is a possible broken rib. thanks for the wishes.

[abaas]

Depending upon how stock the bike actually is it will be hard to recommend what to do to improve power.  Some of the basics to improve on the Valk are the exhaust and the heads.  The stock exhaust are very restrictive at 3/4" double walled headers.  If you can find a set of Viking pipes they will add power to any stock bike as much as 6-8hp without tuning.  Porting and polishing the heads will also bring more power after 3500rpms where most of it is at with this motor.

After working in the Valk for 14 years here are some things I would leave alone.  Trigger wheel. For ridability and other tunes just leave the stock wheel in.  Air Box.  Install a K&N sans the prefilter just to piss off John U and all others that cry in their sleep about K&N filters magically killing engines.  Intake tubes.  Polishing them is not recommended.

I would desmog it if it hasn't already been done and you DO NOT need to buy a kit for this.  $4 worth of JB Weld will get the job done.

Carbs.  Buy a FactoryPro Valk kit and get ready to do some work.  Most of the necessary parts are in this kit to get a good tune.


Post some pics of your bike.

Mase

My bike is totally stock except for the pipes, i have the Cobra 6 into 6.(i heard those make you lose power)

[abaas]

How about something like my "Rat Rod Valk"?
Power Mods: K&N air filter. polished intakes, I/S carb springs, I/S ICM, simple ECT mod., Cobra 6x2 pipes and desmogged.  Also lightened and lowered, with a ton of black powdercoat.

Paint is a personal thing, but black with yellow scallops would be very "Ol Skool"

I really like the powder coat look, and i like the look of your bike.

[abaas]

Alex, (abaas) You have a brother named Mathijs? Hope your alright?

I do have a brother named Mathijs, i might know who this is. I only know of two valk riders that were in MVFD and i was one of them.

[Oss]

Sent you some pictures of Normand's bike from when he won
best in show at americade. 

One of the cleanest jobs I have ever seen

Good luck with your project

[Momz]

most custom bikes have tons of cash thrown at them to make them look unique start with getting it up and running and make sure there isn't any hidden damage first then break out your wallet I have over 10 grand in add on chrome and such still haven't considered paint that's a thousands more for a good job remember custom starts with c  and c means cash oh by the way whatever you put into it don't expect to get any back when you sell it nowdays a standard is under 5 grand and a interstate well a high mile one is on ebay for 4200.00 buy it now so keep that in mind as you spend your hard earned money

I was actually thinking i would need at least 10 thousand even before paint. thanks for the tips, i plan on keeping the valk until i die.

You could do a similar custom (paint not included) for well under than $2000.00 using ebay and other sources as Amazon.com.
PM me for advice, glad to help.
Good luck

[cutter]

Alex, You will find plenty of good help from this site, these are good people.    Ins. totaled my I/S 2 months ago. I do miss it. Need to get another one. I did pick up a 2010 wing with only 4000 miles on it. I got a ways to go to match the 249000+ I had in the I/S. Next time your in town stop by station 2, been awhile since I've seen ya.

Capt.