How much do you do to a bike to make it yours?

[Robert]

Was wondering if you like the looks of a bike how much do you do to it to make it comfortable and yours? Do you buy a bike based on comfort rather than the bike itself? Are there any bikes that some have bought that are sign and drive and you have not had to do anything to them? To me I start with a base that I like the looks of and the handling, performance of then decide to fit myself on to it. The mods I do for comfort and for looks. But how do you all approach this? Just wondering?

[hubcapsc]

I did nothing to the Harley I had before the Valkyries... the Valkyries
require endless fiddling... 



-Mike

[IamGCW]

I had the title changed to my name.   

Gil

[Chrisj CMA]

I had the title changed to my name.   

Gil

Exactly!  I make changes because I need something changed or want an accessory of some kind.  Never really cared if everyone had that mod or no one, its just what I chose

[Robert]

OK so you guys got on the bike and it felt perfect, no seat, no handle bar adjustment or no brake levers. You just didn't wish for better braking or acceleration or handling so the bike just fit. No big or small changes that would make it perfect since you found the perfect platform.

[Gideon]

I had the title changed to my name.   

Gil

Exactly!  I make changes because I need something changed or want an accessory of some kind.  Never really cared if everyone had that mod or no one, its just what I chose

 

[Hooter]

Risers and seats are where I have started, maybe the exhaust. The pretties come later if I feel the urge. Comfort is where I start and my goal.

[G-Man]

Loved the Valkyrie from the first time I saw one.  Was going to have one no matter what.  Got one of the last 2003's in Aug2003.

On the 12 mile ride to home, I was adding up the things I needed to do to make this thing even ridable for me.  I'm 6'4" and the leg room suuuuuuuuuucked.  The handle bars were too low.  Every time I came to a complete stop I was moved forward almost onto the tank.  Then she konked out on me so I forgot all about those things.  Was able to restart and ride a little further.  Died again.  Damn!  Brand new bike on the highway that keeps stalling out on me.  Remembered from the 1100ACE board that kinked breather tubes can do this.  Sure enough, unkinked the hose and problem solved.  Then I went back to thinking how much it was gonna cost to be comfortable.

For Comfort:
Peg Lowering Kit
Kickshifter
4" pullback risers
13" Apes
Kingboy seat
Kury 4050 cruiser pegs
+ 2" Windscreen
(needed to get longer cables and hoses)

Now, if anything were to happen to by beloved Valkyrie, I'd be in a pickle as to what to do.  I do like the Indian and I do like the Victory (both the same company by the way).  But not the same visceral reaction as to the Valkyrie.  I know I'd have to swap out at least the handlebars and seat on anything I may buy, but I may shop for initial comfort more this time around.  The Yamaha Starliner (not the fully dressed one) has good leg room (boards are long and low), it would still need bars and a seat.  I do enjoy this part of bike ownership, though.  I had a great time swapping out the bars, hoses, cables, grips, etc.  Kept me off of the couch.  Just wish it wasn't so expensive as I went through 3 sets of bars to find the right ones.  The seat I had no choice on....after the ride down to Inzane 7 my ass went on strike.  I had 2 numb spots that lasted for days.  Thank goodness Des and the truck were there.  Saved my ass for sure.

[Crazyhorse]

Handlebar risers, ultima seat and lowing kit for the floor boards. To start with.

[old2soon]

My I/S arrived with Kury road pegs already installed I just adjusted them to me. I've since added Kury wide non adjustable clutch and brake levers. Added a seat that had a back rest already installed along with a sheepskin to park my fat keester on.   Added a car tire and been on car tire for awhile. Added 3 small Flag poles to the trunk rack. Painted the gray in the wheel openings over with neon green and polished the wheels. Added a P O W/M I A grill from Big Mike. da prez installed a tour/standard tail light assembly to my rear fender. Chrome wolo air horn and after market road lights. Got a newer W/S that already had the side wings added-you would NOT believe what I paid for that W/S even IF I told you!   Thinking now of a voltage meter install SOMEWHERE that it's readable for me. Oh-one inch block risers. Can NOT believe the difference those made!   No-no boards-gittin along just fine on long trips with the stock pegs.   I did modify the exhaust-still looks stock! And I have Four Dragon heads on the tops of the carbs that my Brother-da prez-built for me!   I get a LOT of compliments on those Dragon Heads!   RIDE SAFE.

[DarkSideR]

I inherited my bike from my Dad. I love what he did to the bike so I initially wasn't going to change anything. Turns out this was a good approach being in no hurry. I have slowly, little-by-little, and bit-by-bit, added & tweaked things here and there. I am very pleased with the bike I have today.

So here is my advice;
 - Do not rush
  + Spend time with your bike to get to know it. Chances are it is perfect just the way it is.
  + More comfy, performance, and cool modifications are plentiful. Take your time and look around before making changes.
  + Research, research, and more research before pulling the trigger on an upgrade or modification.
    * I did a key mod and found out after the fact that my key would no longer open the gas tank or seat release, Oops.

Below is a list of the modifications I have made over the years to my bike. As you will see some Mods might not be for you, whereas some will utterly define you.
 - SuperTrapp Exhaust (+8hp & 30 Pounds lighter than stock, but with a $1,200 price tag)
 - Ultimate Seat (deep and comfy. I am an Iron Butt rider so this seat was a must).
 - Break Away Throttle Lock (give the right hand a rest on the long hauls)
 - DarkSide Rear Tire (I average 10k a year on the bike. Getting +25k out of a $100 tire only made sense.)
 - Wolo Air Horn (@ 128db a must)
 - Progressive front fork springs (no more front end dive)
 - Trigger Wheel (advance the timing for a better bottom end performance)
 - Interstate Carburetor Springs (for better throttle response)
 - The last couple of mods (in picture below are purely cosmetic but look oh so nice) I added K&N Breather fitlers to the top of the carbs, and behind the carbs you can see the key mod I did. It's the end of a revolver cylinder with 6 bullets in it. Here is my write-up (http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80655.msg791371.html#msg791371)


Hope my advice helps.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Did you do the carb toppers recently ? I don't remember them on there at Inzane.

[Black Dog]

After owning my Valk since '99 (97 Standard), and almost 90K miles, I've done many things to make her mine...

Wild1 Chubby RK518 Handle Bars, Ultimate Seat, Custom made my own Floorboards, XF6 Offset Triple Tree, Interstate ICM, RB KickShifter, Cycle house Risers, Original Hoppe Fairing, and Kuryakyn ISO Grips would be the 'Comfort/Handling Factor' upgrades...

California Side Car Saddle Bags, Trunk from an Interstate, RC Components 'Smoothie' Wheels, and a buncha other Kury bling along with a few custom (self made) bits n pieces for the show factor...

Ready for HD huntin' at Bike Nite...



Ready for where ever InZane will be...



Still have not found another bike that stirs my soul like this one does (although, the F6B does make me think of cheating   )...

Black Dog

[The emperor has no clothes]

You forgot to mention the Corbin side covers and the Euro tank badges.  Very sweet

[DarkSideR]

Did you do the carb toppers recently ? I don't remember them on there at Inzane.

I put those on last Friday night. Found a deal online with Advance Auto Parts (30% off) plus free shipping. Ended up being $6/pc.

[baldo]

I did nothing to the Harley I had before the Valkyries... the Valkyries
require endless fiddling... 



-Mike

How did you like the springer? I've never ridden one and have often wondered how different they were, if at all.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Did you do the carb toppers recently ? I don't remember them on there at Inzane.

I put those on last Friday night. Found a deal online with Advance Auto Parts (30% off) plus free shipping. Ended up being $6/pc.

I like them. The blue matches nice. 

[Valkorado]

The best mods for peace of mind are installing an electric fuel shutoff and desmogging.    

[The emperor has no clothes]

The best mods for peace of mind are installing an electric fuel shutoff and desmogging.    

And don't forget the metal valve stems 

[Jopson]

After owning my Valk since '99 (97 Standard), and almost 90K miles, I've done many things to make her mine...

Wild1 Chubby RK518 Handle Bars, Ultimate Seat, Custom made my own Floorboards, XF6 Offset Triple Tree, Interstate ICM, RB KickShifter, Cycle house Risers, Original Hoppe Fairing, and Kuryakyn ISO Grips would be the 'Comfort/Handling Factor' upgrades...

California Side Car Saddle Bags, Trunk from an Interstate, RC Components 'Smoothie' Wheels, and a buncha other Kury bling along with a few custom (self made) bits n pieces for the show factor...

Ready for HD huntin' at Bike Nite...



Ready for where ever InZane will be...



Still have not found another bike that stirs my soul like this one does (although, the F6B does make me think of cheating   )...

Black Dog

Hey Black Dog, do you have any pics and or write up of your floorboards, I think they look awesome!
Thinking of doing something similar  myself and looking for ideas.
Love the looks of your bike!

[..]

Did you do the carb toppers recently ? I don't remember them on there at Inzane.

I put those on last Friday night. Found a deal online with Advance Auto Parts (30% off) plus free shipping. Ended up being $6/pc.

I like them. The blue matches nice.  

Darn it, now they are $53 for 6 with shipping. That's with 20% off online. Can't pick up in store.

[Black Dog]

Hey Black Dog, do you have any pics and or write up of your floorboards?

Jopson,

I'm a hobbyist woodworker, so I probably went through 6 - 10 different plywood prototypes before I decided on the final design.  Considerations were; accommodating the functionality of the Rattlebars KickShifter, and Rear Brake function... The scallops that define the design (I call 'em Dragon Wings) also make room for the 'up/down shift' of the toe, while the heel portion of the 'up shift' works above the boards.  I raised the rear brake about 3/4" with the adjuster while the scallop on that side allows for my toe to push the brake enough to function.

Mount is in two places; the original foot peg location along with a Kuryakyn adapter is the rear mount, while a couple different Kury parts make up the mount to the forward part of the engine crash bar.  The boards will 'fold' in the event of a lay down, but are not spring type return, like the OEM pegs.

I have a buddy in the metal fabricating business, and he transferred the dimensions from my prototypes to his 'water jet' cutting machine...  These were cut from 1/2" Stainless, a two ton press was used to put the slight bend in them, and then they were polished to look like chrome.  I used the peel n stick 'anti-slip' stuff, used on boat decks, to give the tops of the boards a no slip surface.

What I love about them is the infinite number of foot positions I get, along with the Kury pegs, to help with the 500 mile days.  They also function as my 'Zest Limiter'...  They do touch the road (and throw sparks) in aggressive twisty areas  

I hope this helps, and thanks for the props  

Black Dog

[DarkSideR]

Did you do the carb toppers recently ? I don't remember them on there at Inzane.

I put those on last Friday night. Found a deal online with Advance Auto Parts (30% off) plus free shipping. Ended up being $6/pc.

I like them. The blue matches nice.  

Darn it, now they are $53 for 6 with shipping. That's with 20% off online. Can't pick up in store.

I retraced my steps to find it now says free shipping on orders over $75. Darn. I must have hit it just at the right time.

[Valkjerk]

Robert,
I have owned and ridden 13 Valks in as many years, 8 of them Interstates and the rest regular. I have come to realize what suits me and what I automatically reject. The list is long for both of these sentiments so I will spare you the details. I find friends Valks so they can experience these amazing road steeds and invariably they return and ask what they can do to improve or change this and that. Bike's too high, better lights, more sound, less sound, improvements with the sound system and you get the gist of it. I have never seen or heard of anyone that has owned and ridden their bikes for any length of time that didn't want to alter it in some way.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Bought this bike in June 1998 as a Standard.



This one was a total and as I was rebuilding it pretty much had tins from all the stock colors of the Valkyrie. I would get a piece from here and a piece from there until I had all the ones I needed.