Chrome plate on rear side of sissy bar/backrest

[vanagon40]

When I bought my 2001 Standard from the original owner, it had a chrome plate on the back side of the sissy bar pad.  I always figured it was original equipment as the bike was 100% stock (or so I thought).

Was the chrome plate ever standard equipment (or even optional equipment) for the Valkyrie?

It just seems really odd to me that the original owner would own the bike for five years and the one and only modification he would make to the bike would be the addition of the chrome sissy bar plate.

(The original dealer was located in or near Tipton, Indiana).

[RP#62]

As far as I know, the chrome plate was always an aftermarket accessory.
-RP

[six2go #152]

I have one of those on my '98 Standard. I bought the bike brand new in '98 & the plate wasn't on it. I don't remember if that was a Hondaline part or after market. I know I added it very early in my ownership but don't have a clue as to where I purchased it.

[Big IV]

If you bought a Valk and applied for the Honda Credit Card they would give you $ to put towards accessories, jackets, helmets, etc.  That was all fine and well. But a lot of these bikes got a few fancy tid bits day one like the chrome back rest insert or saddle bag rails before they ever left the dealership.
If you buy a Valk from the second (or third as I did) owner, they might tell you that the parts are original just because they may not know that they weren't offered on all of the bikes that way.

My Valk was described as a stocker, which is still how I think of it, but strictly speaking she has a few extra tidbits here and there.

[Big Mike]

There is a chrome plate that Honda produced as part of the Hondaline Valkyrie Accessories. There is also some guy, HEHEHE, that manufactures some really cool lazer cut backrest plates. Good chance he will be at INZANE!!!

[Willow]

... There is also some guy, HEHEHE, that manufactures some really cool lazer cut backrest plates. Good chance he will be at INZANE!!!

They sort of look like this.

[MNBill]

I know they made a Hondaline chrome plate. I got one this spring at my Honda dealer for about half off the list price (I think it was $25). He said Honda was discontinuing them and they were on closeout.