What did you do to your Valkyrie today?

[RainMaker]

Changed the front tire.  The Avon Cobra got me 15K miles and might have a few more in it, but I err on the side of caution when it comes to my tires.  Put on a Bridgestone Exedra G701.  The only delay was the issue with residue from the ride-on.  I didn't think ride-on would have a residue, but it left some hard deposits that required a wire brush buffing to get off of the wheel.  The old tire came off pretty easily and the new tire took less than 10 minutes to put on the wheel with my tire tools.  Soapy water helped it slide on. 100 lbs of air pressure and POP, POP the beads seated.  Let the air back out, put in 10oz new Ride-on and then the air valve, pressured at 36lbs and used the rest of the soapy water to make sure there were no air leaks on the beads.   About 2 hours from start to finish, checking the brake pads and front bearings along the way.  Maybe the easiest tire change I've ever done. 

Now, on to the pod removal to install the new iridium spark plugs and finding a wiring issue with the cruise control.

[hubcapsc]

I haven't had to do anything to mine lately... I rode it to Confederate Memorial Day
in Laurens yesterday...



-Mike "oh yeah... I washed the pollen off of it  ... that's something... "

[MarcusS]

I put a tank of 98 octane in it and burned it. That is really all it needed.
Afterwards I  gave it a wash to remove the bug fecal matter. I'm trying to burn off the front tire so  I can justify putting a new one on for Inzane.

[Jess from VA]

I burned a tank of non-polluted-with-ethanol 87 yesterday, and it runs far better than with ethanol premium (which it doesn't need).  And guess what, instead of my usual 220 to reserve, I went to 240 something before reserve (mix of high speed and cruising at 45-60).  (interstate)

[CDuster]

Speaking of an "Interstate", I have gotten an Interstate fuel tank I intend to install on my 2000 "Tourer". Does anybody have any advice on how to install it or any pit-falls to look out for. Also is there a fuel gauge available for it? I do not want to get half way and run into some snag...

[Jess from VA]

There's this.  (it's old and links don't work)(doesn't answer all your questions).

http://timskelton.com/valkyrie/how_to/tank.htm

[Disco]

I'm trying to burn off the front tire so  I can justify putting a new one on for Inzane.

Hey Marcus, I think you might want to put a new front tire on before that long road trip.

(Did that help???   )

[CDuster]

Thanks Jess, it was a big help and answered a few questions.

[CDuster]

The Interstate tank is installed, no problems, it fit just like the standard tank. I decided not to mess with the fuel sender/gauge until later. I had to re-position my cup holder to keep it from fouling the new taller tank, and the Interstate tank is wider at the rear and my inner thighs now lightly touch the new tank. NOW, if only the rain would stop....

[MarcusS]

I hope I done for a while.

New front  Dunlop E3 Radial tire with rideon liquid installed.
New GOLFER braided front brake lines
Greased the rear drive and threw on new brake pads.
Flushed the clutch line ( stripped a screw on my reservoir and lost two hours getting it out)

Ordered half a dozen SS 4M-12 Flat Phillips screws to replace all my reservoir cover screws.

The screw head, that stripped out, still had copper neversieze on it's bottom when I got it out.

Does everyone screw something up when they start wrenching ?

I also changed the oil so I should be ready to go to inzane next month.

[Joevalk]

Well, I haven't been home for 14 hours yet. I couldn't sleep, so I was outside drinking coffee and looking at my bobber and....... Well all my parts to mount my VTX front fender were in and 30 mins later it was on. Looks good too. I'll post pics later. I hope to get a ride in today if the rain holds out. Rain or shine it is good to be home

[RainMaker]

Finally tore off the pods and installed the new iridium plugs today.  RPM went up about 100.  Old plugs didn't look bad, but they were also the standard NGKs. 

Ready for Inzane.

[MarcusS]

Be sure it is in neutral when you turn the key on. Mine almost starts itself with the iridium plugs. Got almost 15K on them and still love them. Really help in cold weather.

[desertrefugee]

Finished adding a few items that a 900 mile tour two weeks ago reminded me I needed.

1)  Throttle Lock
2)  Cup Holder
3)  Back rest

Sometimes, it's the little things.  But, there's nothing like an extended cruise to bring those "little things" to the surface.   Go easy on me, I'm coming off an '84 Aspencade as my tour machine. 

Now, about that fuel mileage...

[Joevalk]

Well today i pushed the bobber under the carport

Here are some pics of the work i have been doing since late march till yesterday.
New cobras front and rear
Yamaha Raider taillight
6 degree rake
Fat fork tubes
Re powder coated some stuff, handlebars, risers,timing belt cover,fat fork tubes.
Chrome brake and clutch mastercylinders
New mirrors
VTX front fender
Corbin side covers
Gaffer brake hoses

[Houdini]

Attempting to install a Rivco lightbar

[Christbiker]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

[RainMaker]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

Wash Disco's what?

[BnB Tom]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

Wash Disco's what?

                ???                               

[woofred1832]

                                           just got the lockable trunk I ordered................
                                    Now while it is rainy weather I will remove the passanger seat and the rails
                                    and make bracket mounts or what ever and get the trunk to fit close to me. 
                                    I can lean against the pad on long road trips, and not have to un-bungie
                                    the bag I carry into the hotel room each nite.  I could mount it on the rack I
                                    made but I would rather have it close to me than hanging off the back.
                                    Keep the bike clean looking for solo day rides, sissy bar and pad for 2-up
                                    rides and trunk for road trips , not being married anymore road trips are
                                    just me and the road, and thats the way I like it......................

[Christbiker]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

Wash Disco's what?

His little bumblebee   (I think that's what he calls it)

[BuzzKill]

Changed the oil and replaced the spark plugs yesterday. 

[RainMaker]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

Wash Disco's what?

His little bumblebee   (I think that's what he calls it)

[Gitter]

Today I changed the oil, desmogged her, adjusted the rear brake pedal to my liking, made some modifications to my brand new Ultimate rear seat for the wife's liking, installed a rear cup holder (thanks trout dude for the idea), changed the peacock valve, and about a week ago I drilled the baffles out and cut the tips off.

[BnB Tom]

I moved one of mine out of the way so I could wash Disco's   Long story -- you don't want to know.

Wash Disco's what?

His little bumblebee   (I think that's what he calls it)

  The "Stinger" or the whole thing...

[Dag]

Mounted new LED lights to my turn signal mirrors. Thank's to Disco 

[Brewer]

Brakes today.
Last week was valve adjustment (not needed) resync carbs after fuel rail o ring kit from Red eye. Inspect drive shaft and pinion cup (ordered new parts for next service interval)
Installed new to me Honda line windscreen, replaced speedo cable, changed fork seals and related parts.... Thanks to Misfit for all the help and garage space.

Work left before leaving for Inzane: Shock bushings, Oil change, Dress up some accessory wires, replace valve stems.

[Super Santa]

Today mounted a new rear Altimax car tire, rear end serviced, installed new rear brake pads, repaired rear turn signal wiring harness, reattached ground wire for license plate light which I inadvertently failed to connect when I installed my new license plate, and oil and filter change.

Mileage:  159,677

Many thanks for first class mechanic leadership and supervision by Mark Baker and for the use of his Man Cave.

Hopefully be heading out en route to Inzane via several northwestern states early Wednesday morning.  Less than 48 hours.

[Disco]

Rode mine.  Finally.  Just enough to get it dirty, but not quite enough to roll 88,000. 

Maybe this week, weather permitting.   

[Houdini]

Added a Utopia backrest to my Standard.

[rocketray]

I LOOKED AT MY PRETTY WELL WORN REAR TIRE AND THOUGHT ...WELL ...LETS DO SOME ROLLING BURNOUTS AND SEE IF I CAN GET SOME CORD SHOWING JUSTIFYING A NEW SKIN...THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT WASNT GREAT EITHER...SO DO I CHANCE A 5-600 MILE RIDE OR DO SOMETHING FOR A HOME MOVIE FOR  THE NURSING HOME SHOW AND TELL 15 YEARS FROM NOW?? I NEED TO PULL THE BOAT BAFFLES OUT ANYWAY AND DRILL A 1 INCH CENTER OUT AS I CAN FEEL THE BACK PRESSURE KICKING IN TOO MUCH AT 7K RPM...AND THEN THE VIKING HEADERS ARE A BIT RUSTY AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF AND CERAMIC COATED ... I HAVE A PILE OF LED'S TO PUT ON..THE OIL NEEDS CHANGING..AND COOLANT..MAYBE I'LL JUST RIDE THE WIFE'S NEW INDIAN CHIEFTAIN...MAYBE I NEED TO BUY A LIFT TO GET THE THING UP TO WHERE MY KNEE'S CAN GET A BREAK SO I CAN WORK ON IT..THE HEADLIGHT NEEDS A NEW BULB AS THE HIGH BEAM BURNED OUT...

[Joevalk]

Installed Cobra radiator side covers

[RainMaker]

I know what I need to do - clean off my entomologic collection.

[Jess from VA]

Tasty protein.  Yum. 

[Houdini]

Added a filler cover.

[Houdini]

Removed the POS LED headlight and replaced it with an Osram 70/65 bulb



I have the Rivco lightbar installed also but not wired yet.

[Valkpilot]

Removed the POS LED headlight and replaced it with an Osram 70/65 bulb



I have the Rivco lightbar installed also but not wired yet.

Did you beef up the wiring for the higher wattage bulb? 

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

(When I got the Jet bike there was a higher wattage bulb without a wiring upgrade and it was starting to burn/melt the connector at the bulb.)

[Houdini]

Removed the POS LED headlight and replaced it with an Osram 70/65 bulb

I have the Rivco lightbar installed also but not wired yet.

Did you beef up the wiring for the higher wattage bulb?  

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

(When I got the Jet bike there was a higher wattage bulb without a wiring upgrade and it was starting to burn/melt the connector at the bulb.)

I did not, the link you posted lists these wattage's as needing a relay;

"High watt bulbs are 100/55, 100/80, 100/90, 130/90. FYI stock wattage is 60/55."

According to a few auto and MC forums I visited, the 70/65 is just a little hotter and in most cases doesn't require any modifications to the wiring.  Should I be worried?

[Disco]

POS LED headlight

Which LED was it?  I'm going to upgrade the headlight and running lights on front and would like to avoid the one you're unhappy with.  Thanks!

[Valkpilot]

Removed the POS LED headlight and replaced it with an Osram 70/65 bulb

I have the Rivco lightbar installed also but not wired yet.

Did you beef up the wiring for the higher wattage bulb?  

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

(When I got the Jet bike there was a higher wattage bulb without a wiring upgrade and it was starting to burn/melt the connector at the bulb.)

I did not, the link you posted lists these wattage's as needing a relay;

"High watt bulbs are 100/55, 100/80, 100/90, 130/90. FYI stock wattage is 60/55."

According to a few auto and MC forums I visited, the 70/65 is just a little hotter and in most cases doesn't require any modifications to the wiring.  Should I be worried?

Probably not.  I think the Jet bike had a 100/80 or 100/90.  But I would open the bucket occassionally and check the connector and wiring at the bulb.