Differences in the different Valkyrie years?

[Rams]

As most know, my fat lady and I were involved in an accident this past September.     My girl and I both sustained a lot of damage but her injuries appear to be fatal and mean she will become a donor bike.     While I am no where near the point I could get back on two wheels, my Valkyrie aspirations are running rampant to get back in the saddle.    

So, I'm looking at several different Standards and Tourers that may find a home in my shop in anticipation of the day I can resume my relationship with a fat lady.   While my beloved fat lady has significant damage, there are many things undamaged that could be transplanted to another fat girl to embellish, extend life or beautify the receiver bike.  

I know most parts will transplant without fitment issues but have been advised that there were some changes where parts may not fit/work without adjustments.    An example is, I was told earlier Valkyries have different wheels/bearings.   I specially mention the wheels because my girl has nice 2002 wheels and new tires.   I honestly don't know what else might be different between the different years.     Any advice what items are different or may not fit would be greatly appreciated.

Such knowledge will help guide me in deciding on an appropriate (year) replacement bike.

Rams

[Sorcerer]

There was a change from 97 to 98 on front wheel bearings. Beefed up on 98 forwards. Interstate models had thicker break rotors which equate to different  axel spacers. Some say that the carbs had different parts numbers for 97 to 98. Then different carb parts between a Interstate and a standard/ Tour. And different timing wheels between an Interstate and Standard/ Tour.

[Chrisj CMA]

You can install your wheels on ANY Valkyrie, no worries.  You just match the model year of the wheels not the year of the bike when replacing parts. 

[hubcapsc]

97-99 Standard and Tourer rear wheels are "the old kind". 99 Interstates
and all other Valkyries rear wheels are "the new kind". All rear wheels
interchange, as long as you have the proper rotor.

Interstate rear calipers are different than Standard and Tourer rear calipers.
It seems like they ought to interchange, but I only know that they are different.

I have a 97. There's something different about front turn signals on newer
Standards and Tourers, the way the lenses fit on or something...

-Mike

[Willow]

...
I have a 97. There's something different about front turn signals on newer
Standards and Tourers, the way the lenses fit on or something...

One screw at the bottom rather than two on the sides.

[gordonv]

If you're talking about your original bike being a std/tourer, and the new bike is the same, then you have NO issues to worry about. Only issues between the IS and the others.

[Rams]

If you're talking about your original bike being a std/tourer, and the new bike is the same, then you have NO issues to worry about. Only issues between the IS and the others.

Thanks for the responses.   

Yes, my fat girl started life as a Standard and she will be replaced with a Standard or Tourer.   

Rams

[indybobm]

I believe the following is correct but I am getting old.

Front Wheel  1997 has different/smaller wheel bearings distance spacer.  Has 1J on wheel hub
                  1998-2003 share a common bearing/distance spacer. Has 2J on wheel hub
                http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,79713.0.html
Front Brake Rotor– All years, 97-03, are interchangeable.
Rear Brake Rotor  1997-1999 STD/Tourer use the early brake rotor.
                        1999 - 2001 Interstate and 2000-2003 STD/Tourer use the later rear rotor
Rear Wheel  1997-1999 STD/Tourer use the early wheel . Has 1J near wheel hub.
                 2000-2003 STD/Tourers and all Interstates use the later wheel. Has 2J near wheel hub.
Front Brake Caliper   All years are the interchangeable.
Rear Brake Caliper  All STD/Tourer are interchangeable.
                          Interstates are different, they have smaller pistons/pucks in the caliper.
Timing Wheel  All years are interchangeable, the same.
ICU  All STD/Tourers are the same.
       Intrstate ICUs have two degrees more advance.
Carbs  1997 carbs supposedly use a different vacumm pistion, item #18 on fiche.
          All STD/Tourers use the same vacuum piston spring, item #11.
Coolant Light  1997-1999 STDS/Tourers use the early wiring for the coolant light.
                   2000–2003 STD/Tourers and all Interstates use the later wiring.
               http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,102407.0.html
Turn Signals   1997-1999 use two screws per lense to retain the lense.
                   2000-2003 use one screw per lense.
   
Rear Fender_Rear Section  1998 and later have a reinforced rear fender  to avoid fatigue cracking/drooping turn signals.       
Speedometer/Tachometer Numeral Color   All 1997-1999 Std_Tourer are green.
                                                         All 2000-2003 STD/Tourer are red.

[Rams]

Excellent information!   Thanks for posting.   

Rams

[F6Dave]

That's a great summary of all the Valk changes!

I didn't know they switched the color of the lighting on the speedo and tach.  I remember some owners complained about difficulties reading the green numbers around dusk.

[scooperhsd]

Yes - that green speedo / tach lighting IS difficult to see around dawn and dusk ('98 Std). Full light and full dark - no problem.

[98valk]

1999-2003 STD/Tourer have better shocks. they were re-valved for a smoother ride compared to the '97-98s.

[F6Dave]

Yes - that green speedo / tach lighting IS difficult to see around dawn and dusk ('98 Std). Full light and full dark - no problem.

Agreed, but the green looks really cool at night.