new guy in town

[Valkcurious]

Greetings all!  Yet another new Valkyrie owner here. Northern California is where I live (Sonoma County). Recently acquired a '99 Interstate with 15,000 miles. Nice bike! The ex/owner had no service records ( I was hesitant because of that) but she is running smooth as silk--and looks very well attended to. Having said that--there are of course a couple of issues. (1) there is some leaking fluid at the right front fork seal. (2) some knocking sounds from the front brakes area at slow (very slow) speed. This happens intermittently with out touching the front brake lever.
Other than that---no issues! I'm getting set to take it into the shop to address the fork seals and am wondering: would you advise for or against adding some Progressive springs when I have the seals done? And without any service records--what would you address as far as getting her road ready i.e. fluids/valves/carb adjust etc. She has new Dunlop Elites and a recent oil change to half synthetic.
Had a wonderful ride yesterday up the Sonoma coast! PS--which upgrade seat would you all recommend? I want one with a driver's backrest . Best wishes from sunny California!  Jim

[Rams]

Just a welcome to the house.

I assure you, once this thread is seen, you'll get lots of advice.  I won't touch that oil question, I'll just say that I use Mobil 1 synthetic, you use what ever turns your crank.  

Seats is another touchy subject, I have an Ultimate Low Boy and I'm very happy with it.  Your mileage may vary on it and many other issues but, enjoy that fat lady, she was made to cruise.    Central Kentucky here, hope to meet you at InZane this summer, all the really cool kids will be there.  

Edited:  OH Man, you didn't ask about going Dark Side, you must be new to the game.  

[hubcapsc]

Fork seals are easy, we've heard some horror stories about bad shops doing
hack jobs on forks though...

Most people (including me) think progressive springs are well worth it, a big
improvement.

Clean Valkyrie front brakes clunk a little as the calipers "float" on their
mounts, when I refurbish my brakes and they start clunking again, I'm reassured...
I usually associate the clunk with touching the brake lever, though...

It is unlikely that you need to do anything to your valves or carbs if you think the
bike runs good when you ride it.

I think any motorcycle appropriate oil should be fine... I've been running Honda
non-synthetic oil for 50K...

The most common seats I've seen on Valkyries are Corbins and Ultimates. Corbins
are less padded, Ultimates are more padded...

Backrests, and some additional pegs for an alternate place to put your feet,
make long trips much more comfortable...

-Mike

[Hoser]

Mobil 1 is very good oil, use 10/40 or higher.  The fork seals do sometimes leak if the bike has not been ridden much.  It may stop leaking once you get some miles on it.  Not to hard to replace the seals if it doesn't stop.  The brake calipers will sometimes rattle at low speeds because they float.    Hoser    Welcome.

[olddog1946]

Welcome aboard.
I will be most likely one of the few that don't like the progressive springs. I have them in mine and find the ride harsh, but I do have a standard so that may make a difference. I Use Amsoil in my bike, have used it since it came out way back when and have no complaints. I also run an Ultimate king big boy seat and love it. You are close enough to have a Russell day long seat fitted and installed, they are somewhere south of Mt. Shasta (I think), those are custom made to fit you and your riding conditions. They are spendy but I know of NO ONE that has one and didn't like it.
I will be taking my progressives out and putting the stock springs back in. I think the racetech springs/valves etc. may be what I'll end up with, one of these days.

[Mallett]

Welcome aboard.
I will be most likely one of the few that don't like the progressive springs. I have them in mine and find the ride harsh, but I do have a standard so that may make a difference. I Use Amsoil in my bike, have used it since it came out way back when and have no complaints. I also run an Ultimate king big boy seat and love it. You are close enough to have a Russell day long seat fitted and installed, they are somewhere south of Mt. Shasta (I think), those are custom made to fit you and your riding conditions. They are spendy but I know of NO ONE that has one and didn't like it.
I will be taking my progressives out and putting the stock springs back in. I think the racetech springs/valves etc. may be what I'll end up with, one of these days.

olddog1946, I have the Race Teck fork springs & valves & love them...was on my gurl when I bought her.

[old2soon]

Welcome from the Ozarks. Yer gonna luv the insanity here!!   At 15000 miles and NO service records-i'd be looking at the rear end-the splines need serviced about every 10000 miles or there abouts. Give the fork seals a little time and if yer short on the bucks go to the tech board and research Film Trick. The tech board is a damn good place to start here anyway. You have tapped into the very best been there done that fer Valkyries and just about anything else ya can think of.   We have a LOT of folks well versed in the mechanical dealings of our Phatt Ghurls.   Take advantage of it cause we WAY cheaper than a stea er dealer.   Again-welcome and ride er like you stole her.   RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

Welcome to the best board there is.  I can say that because it's the only one I visit.

Seems like one of the goals of the riders here, is to help others from visiting the dealers.  Most dealers do not have 1/4 the experience you'll find here.

She has new Dunlop Elites and a recent oil change to half synthetic.

??? ???

Not sure what half synthetic is? 

If you have new tires, hopefully whoever did it serviced the splines correctly.  I would try to find out who did the tires and quiz them, if possible.

I'd change out the front & rear brake fluids, as well as the clutch fluid, if they haven't been done recently.

I have Progressive springs in one of my Tourers and I like them better than the stock springs.

I have a Mustang seat w/backrest  and it has treated me well for 10+ years.  I move it around to the bike I'm riding at the time.

Do a search for "Film Trick" and you should get some suggestions on how to stop the fork leak using some 35mil film negative.   Sounds crazy, but some have reported success doing it.

Lift the front wheel and spin it to see that your brake rotors are true and if it spins freely or with a little resistance.  If whoever did the front tire replacement did not "Set" the axle correctly on re-install, the wheel won't spin correctly and will wear out the pads quickly.

Good luck, you've bought a GREAT bike and I'm sure you will love it.    

[Hook#3287]

Oh Yeah!   Pictures!  We need Pictures!

[da prez]

 Ask and ye shall have more  info than you can comprehend. WELCOME from Illinois
  I am sure there are others near you that will help if you just ask. Avoid the dealers as  much as possible. There are good ones and questionable ones. The tech board knows all , usually more than the dealers mechanics. 

                   da prez

[Valkcurious]

Wow--thanks for the welcomes and posts. Any good mechanics in Sonoma County Ca ? I would like to avoid dealerships if possible! Regarding the half synthetic oil-the guy I bought the bike from had the oil changed right before I bought it, and he send it was a blend. How does one upload photos from one's IPhone? Again thanks!

[Hook#3287]

How does one upload photos from one's IPhone?

Don't think you can, but maybe someone else knows how.  I think you need to send the pic to your computer first.

You can add a pic from your Photostash account.  At the top is a button for Photostash, click it and set up your account, download a pic from your computer to Photostash.   In a post, click on the insert image button (above the first smilely on the left) and copy the pictures URL from Photostash to the flashing spot.  You can check the picture by hitting the preview button.

[PharmBoy]

Do what you like about photos, I still have some in photostash, but have gone entirely to Photobucket in the last couple of years, mainly because you don't have to downsize your pictures to put them in Photobucket.  Also, it is much easier to put them in Photobucket and easier to retrieve them.

As for my 99 I/S, I have progressive springs, Mobile 1 Turbo Diesel 5-40 oil, Ultimate Big Boy seats, and run a car tire on the rear (a lot of us do).  All this and much more is just personal preference and you will have many decisions to make in the future.  There are a lot of guys here who have their own opinions about what is best for a Valk, but I would suggest that you read all that you can here and then make your own decisions.  It is your bike and your money, so spend it like you want to and in the amount that you want to. 

Most of the things that have been mentioned are things that there is no great hurry to purchase and install.  I would, however, advise you to check out the lubrication in the pumpkin.  The fork leak is messy, but will probably be alright for a while.  I would try to fix it with the 35mm film first.  Shop talk and the Tech board are definitely your friend and this is the greatest bunch of guys you will ever get the pleasure to meet. 

I think that there is a California board.  Maybe someone from your part of the world will chime in and be willing to give you a hand with some of your problems, none of which sounds very bad to me.  Welcome to the VRCC.  I think that you will enjoy it here and I know that you will enjoy that Valkyrie...Jim

[Challenger]

Welcome aboard: All good replies so far, I will just add this about the fork springs, I switched mine because when I hit the front brakes, my I/S would dive way too much for me. I replaced them with Progressive springs, but stock might have been good enough, just don't go over board on the amount of oil you put in or the viscosity. I went with stock visc and 1/2 ounce less than what was called for in both and the dive is gone. Rides great and I am Very satisfied. 

[john]

'99 Interstate with 15,000 miles    ....       
your gonna love this site    ....    welcome

[HayHauler]

There is a photobucket app for your iPhone.  I use it all the time.  Upload your pics to your photobucket account then post the IMG link from the picture into your post. 

Oh, yea, welcome to the asylum!

Hay
Jimmyt

[Dogg]

I use photo bucket from my iPad. There is an app for it on their site. Works great. Just upload to photo bucket, copy img URL and post. Easy as pie... welcome from the eastern shore of MD.

[Valkcurious]

Thanks for the great replies and welcomes! I think I will be spending way too much time here one must ask--- dark side???  Here's a couple pics of my big girl--including my ride yesterday on the California coast about a 20 mile ride from my house! .   

[old2soon]

Dark Side-refers to running an automobile tire on the rear of a motorcycle. It really has been hashed to death just in the short time i've been here. You can research it on either the tech or general board. And as a point of reference i'm on my second D/S in my I/S. There is absolutely no in between with D/S-you either love it or you don't. This and oil and politics.  RIDE SAFE.

[PharmBoy]

Valkcurious, I love your house and I haven't even seen it.  A crapper in the garage.  How can you beat that?...Jim 

[SANDMAN5]

Welcome!! I've always wanted to ride Hwy 1. I've been as far north as San Fran and
all the way to Mexico southward. Haven't been to CA in several years. Maybe after
I hit the lottery I'll do a four corners ride and head your way.
Darkside is something for you to consider. I have 31,000 miles on my GYTT and
plenty more left (although I'm thinking about replacing it because of it's age). You
have to decide that for yourself. Don't take anyone else's word about whether or
not YOU will like it. I switched from syn to dino and back to syn oil. Both work but
my trans seems a little quieter with syn....and maybe shifts a little easier. Learn to
do the starter button maintenance. I had to do it once in a parking lot (surrounded
by harleys, of course!!). Once you get the hang of it you can do it in 10-20 mins.

P.S. IF you go Darkside, pull the rear wheel every 10,000 miles or so and lube the splines

[Valkcurious]

Valkcurious, I love your house and I haven't even seen it.  A crapper in the garage.  How can you beat that?...Jim 

.   I knew I was gonna like this place

[Valkcurious]

Hey Sandman5-- thanks for the info on the tire. California riding is great--but the traffic is always fairly heavy--you can count on someone riding your tail. The plus with the Valk is you can lose them quickly with a slight flick of the right wrist . I lived in Wisconsin for 10 years and owned a 1980 Goldwing out there. The riding was spectacular! Though I did hit a deer on the GW. The doe bolted out across the road at dusk-- and caught my left highway peg--came across my leg and exploded across my left rear bag.....kept the bike up and Brodied in the gravel . Couldn't eat venison after smelling that mess . My girlfriend about flipped when I called to tell her the news. Most bikers don't fair as well with deer!

[Valkcurious]

Couple of  questions. The only mods I want to do right now are trunk rack and seat upgrade. Which is the best available trunk rack? Is there a way to just add a backrest to the stock seat? Eventually I want to Dd bag rails and the wrap around bag guards. Thanks for any insights!

[wiggydotcom]

Welcome. It sounds like you made a nice pickup with that few of miles. You're gonna love the bike and the VRCC! Come to our annual ride in this next July. It's called Inzane XIII. It's a chance to meet many great folks from this family--and also the fabulous Adminstration team that makes it happen---all Valkyrie owners themselves.

You won't regret it!

[F6BANGER]

Welcome to the VRCC..Mods already...welcome to addiction ....LOL   

[Valkcurious]

The inzane sounds great! I might just go. All Valks--or open to everyone?  About mods-- she is great stock-no doubt about it---but for a long haul-- one could absolutely use a trunk rack. And the backrest should have been stock IMHO....  But I probably won't stop there

[PhredValk]

Welcome from the Great White North!

Three years ago I bought a 99 IS with 15K miles on it. She now has about 45K. Most trunk racks for the Goldwing will work, tho I can't remember where I got mine (Kuryaken for GL1800). Tho I sometimes think about seat upgrades, the stock seat has been OK. The single best addition I've done is the Utopia backrest.
http://www.utpr.com/interstate.html
Fred.

[lonewolf/va]

Welcome, nice bike.

[wiggydotcom]

I believe this is the rack that I have on my bike. It's from Show Chrome- #52-610.

You can find it with various vendors by doing an internet search with that brand and #.

It's the one showing on my bike in the signature pics. Might cost ya a tad over a hundred bucks.

[Dr Bobs Patient]

Valkcurious, welcome.  I'm almost new here. Bought my "Phat Gurl" about three months ago.  Green and silver, 99 Interstate with 57,500 miles.  Had the same issue with the right front fork seal leaking.  I rebuilt my front end with new seals, bushings and Progressive springs.  The only experience I have had before this Valk on a heavy bike was an 07 Goldwing lost that one in the recession of 09).  I had gone darkside on the wing and didn't think twice about doing it on the Valk.  My suggestion to you is to wear out your existing tires to get a good feel for how she handles before going D/S.  I live in the Low Country of South Carolina and the biggest hills and twisties around here are getting on and off Interstate 95!  So most of my riding puts a flat spot on a rear MC tire.

I don't have enough experince to tell you whether the new front end rides "harsh".  Just the before I rebuilt it it was real sloppy and now real tight.  Oh yeah, I had to replace the front brakes too because the fork oil had saturated the right side brakes.  Search the tech section for anything.  Like what was said before, that this forum has more experince than most dealers is true. 

DBP

[Valkcurious]

Thanks for the kind welcomes and great info! Wiggydotcom , your I/S looks great! The rails, guards, and luggage rack are how I want to set mine up- seen quite a few done that way when I was on the search. It seems as there are a few options on those on terms of price and quality. It's difficult to buy by just a photo tho--Hondaline being the most pricey--and mostly unavailable.

[wiggydotcom]

Thanks for the kind welcomes and great info! Wiggydotcom , your I/S looks great! The rails, guards, and luggage rack are how I want to set mine up- seen quite a few done that way when I was on the search. It seems as there are a few options on those on terms of price and quality. It's difficult to buy by just a photo tho--Hondaline being the most pricey--and mostly unavailable.

Sent you a PM describing Inzane so you get a better idea of what they entail. Look under "My Messages" in the title bar and click on it.

[SANDMAN5]

The best seat (IMHO) is an Ultimate seat with rider's backrest. I've
had one on both my Valks. Some people swear by the Russell Day Long
seat but I can't comment because I've never tried one. A few like Mustang
or Corbin. Best thing to do is wait until you can meet a few people in person
and give their seats a butt-test. Backrest made a HUGE difference for me!!

[Mallett]

The best seat (IMHO) is an Ultimate seat with rider's backrest. I've
had one on both my Valks. Some people swear by the Russell Day Long
seat but I can't comment because I've never tried one. A few like Mustang
or Corbin. Best thing to do is wait until you can meet a few people in person
and give their seats a butt-test. Backrest made a HUGE difference for me!!

I'm a "Iron Butt" rider & have a Corbin on mine...love it....