Valkyrie Interstate (I think?) headlights stopped working

[wutz]

I bought a 99 valkyrie interstate a couple weeks ago.  At least I think it's an interstate.



I think the headlights were working fine when I left for vacation, but when I got back 5 days later, they won't turn on.  It's possible that they weren't working for a day or so before my vacation, but they were definitely working when I bought the bike and for several days after that. Any idea what would cause this?

Is there some button somewhere that just turns them off for some reason?

There's two of them and neither one is working

[Hellcat]

Looks to be a Standard, not an Interstate. But in any case those were not stock headlights on any Valkyrie. Nice bike though, I like it.

[wutz]

Looks to be a Standard, not an Interstate. But in any case those were not stock headlights on any Valkyrie. Nice bike though, I like it.

Someone told me it was a cut down interstate based on the headlights and based on the seat

hm it does look like a standard based on the silver bullet shaped things above the headlights though.  speedometer and whatever the other one is called

[wutz]

Also I got some ideas from searching other threads about headlight problems.  None of them really had satisfactory conclusions, but at least I have some places to check.

If I can find them on the bike...

[Michvalk]

If that's an Interstate, it's been radically customized. Probably the high/ low switch is bad or needs cleaning. Flip it back and forth a couple of times, and see if you get anything. Those switches can be disassembled (carefully) to clean them out. Also check fuzes under the right side cover

[Hellcat]

Someone told me it was a cut down interstate based on the headlights and based on the seat

It is an Interstate seat, but on a Standard.

[wutz]

If that's an Interstate, it's been radically customized. Probably the high/ low switch is bad or needs cleaning. Flip it back and forth a couple of times, and see if you get anything. Those switches can be disassembled (carefully) to clean them out. Also check fuzes under the right side cover

Here are some more pictures, maybe they can help clarify whether it is a standard or interstate











they also said that the custom neutral indicator and turn signals might indicate that it was an interstate and that these things had to be rebuilt on to it because they were originally on the big front fairing

[wutz]

Someone told me it was a cut down interstate based on the headlights and based on the seat

It is an Interstate seat, but on a Standard.

yeah that seems like it would make more sense, if these aren't stock headlights for the interstate

[whitestroke]

Thoose 2 headlights on a standard would probably blow the fuse or burn up the starter switch.  If you have a interstate I believe it should have a relay for the headlights and be okay.  Pull the right sidecover and check fuse as mentioned.

[wutz]

Thoose 2 headlights on a standard would probably blow the fuse or burn up the starter switch.  If you have a interstate I believe it should have a relay for the headlights and be okay.  Pull the right sidecover and check fuse as mentioned.

that could maybe be what happened.  thanks i'll look into that

[WamegoRob]

I bought a 99 valkyrie interstate a couple weeks ago.  At least I think it's an interstate.

Note the 4th through 8th character of your VIN and look here to find out what it is:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/Discussion%20of%20Variants.html

And here is info from the complete VIN:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/VIN%20NUMBERS.html

** It's on the plate between the forks and the tank on the left side **

[wutz]

I bought a 99 valkyrie interstate a couple weeks ago.  At least I think it's an interstate.

Note the 4th through 8th character of your VIN and look here to find out what it is:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/Discussion%20of%20Variants.html

And here is info from the complete VIN:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/VIN%20NUMBERS.html

** It's on the plate between the forks and the tank on the left side **

that, is a much more efficient way of solving this problem.

it is not an interstate, it is officially a standard.

[MrKris]

5th pic down in the multiple pic post, right side of bike, there is a switch in front of the right side cover.  What does it do? 

[Hoser]

What ever it is, it is a damn nice custom, well done. congrats on your purchase!     Hoser

[Hoser]

What ever it is, it is a damn nice custom, well done. congrats on your purchase!     Hoser

Oh, and check the headlight fuse.

[DLSSOJC]

One quick easy way to determine an interstate vs other models is the throttle idle cables come out of the bottom of the switch housing on and interstate, and they come out of the side of the housing on all the other models. Not likely someone would change the entire switch housing out just to put the interstate style housing on. 

[Hoser]

One quick easy way to determine an interstate vs other models is the throttle idle cables come out of the bottom of the switch housing on and interstate, and they come out of the side of the housing on all the other models. Not likely someone would change the entire switch housing out just to put the interstate style housing on. 

Easier to look at the VIN.  If its 1998 or earlier, it ain't an IS. 

[DLSSOJC]

One quick easy way to determine an interstate vs other models is the throttle idle cables come out of the bottom of the switch housing on and interstate, and they come out of the side of the housing on all the other models. Not likely someone would change the entire switch housing out just to put the interstate style housing on. 

Easier to look at the VIN.  If its 1998 or earlier, it ain't an IS. 

Very true, but if its a 99-01 then a quick glance at the throttle cables usually tells the story. And also the choke lever is set lower on the switch housing on an interstate versus the other models.

[Hoser]

Someone told me it was a cut down interstate based on the headlights and based on the seat

It is an Interstate seat, but on a Standard.

yeah that seems like it would make more sense, if these aren't stock headlights for the interstate

The headlights are not stock IS.  These are, a bit bigger.  The front crash bar has tiny air scoops on the bottom, a chrome cover on the lower radiator hose, etc, etc

[Jabba]

Guys... there is reflectors on the rear fender sides...  Interstates nor Tourers had those...

Ergo... my vote is cast for a standard.

Has anyone looked up the VIN yet?

Jabba

[Skinhead]

It has standard engine guards, standard radiator, standard speedo and Tach.  If it walks and quacks like a duck, you know what they say.

[WamegoRob]

Has anyone looked up the VIN yet?

Jabba

Ya, OP checked and posted about 9 hours ago:

I bought a 99 valkyrie interstate a couple weeks ago.  At least I think it's an interstate.

Note the 4th through 8th character of your VIN and look here to find out what it is:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/Discussion%20of%20Variants.html

And here is info from the complete VIN:
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/VIN%20NUMBERS.html

** It's on the plate between the forks and the tank on the left side **

that, is a much more efficient way of solving this problem.

it is not an interstate, it is officially a standard.

Ergo... my vote is cast for a standard

So good call

[shortleg]

  The best way to tell will be the VIN number.
          Shortleg[Dave]

[wutz]

5th pic down in the multiple pic post, right side of bike, there is a switch in front of the right side cover.  What does it do? 

there are some LEDs strategically placed around the bike

nothing overwhelming, relatively subtle orange and reds

[wutz]

UPDATE:

I checked the fuses and everything seemed to be okay

I started pulling wires and stuff out from around the headlights to look at them and trace down the problem, but then I had to go so I shoved everything back where I found it, and when I did that, the lights popped on.

Must have been some loose connection or something somewhere

[Hoser]

Well, you know where to look if it happens again.  Hoser

[gordonv]

As it has already been astablished that the bike is offical built as a standard, then all that headlight power is going through the starter switch.

Wether it is working or not now, from moving those wires, if those are regular powered bulbs then you have double the power going through that switch and it WILL "burn" out later, if you don't put a relay into it.

As for the past debat about if it was a IS model or not (yes, it is a std), everything people suggested that would have/could have made it one model or the other, can be switched out, including the wire harness. The only way to tell is what was done, the VIN #. I noticed no mounting for the trunk and pods.

[Ricky-D]

If simply shoving the wires back in got the lights going I would say you have come close to locating the problem, but it still exists.

The threat now is shorting out a bunch more stuff, possible burning a few wires and doing damage to other systems in the bike.

It ought to be easy to find the bad connection and fix it.

Delay could be disaster.

***