Newbie alert!! First Valkyrie for me...

[FarmerRick]

Hello all!!

Just got my Valkyrie back on Sunday from a very nice couple here in Omaha. They are on the forum too, not sure what their names are here though(they might chime in if they see this post).

Anyway, put a couple hundred miles on it so far and I love it!!  Sold my old 82 Wing last summer after living on 4 miles of gravel roads... gravel sucks!! But now I live back in town and I had to get back in the saddle!!

It's a 99 Tourer, just over 20k miles and the prior owner had Big BF(?) tune the carbs recently. Runs damn good!!  Now to customize it a bit for my use, is there a go-to website for Valkyrie accessories?  JP Cycle seems to be confusing to search...  suggestions are welcome 

[vanagon40]

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

There is really no go-to website for Valkyrie accessories. As the most recent model is now 14 years old, most accessories are either generic, used, or rare NOS. Best bet is to check the classifieds here or ebay. If you post the accessory you are looking for, you will get lots of help in finding the part (or good luck wishes for those accessories made from unobtanium).

PS: we need pictures. 

[old2soon]

Welcome to the insanity. Some of our board sponsors handle Valkyrie aftermarket stuff. Some shows up now and then in our very own classifieds. More and more have become are becoming unobtanium. The Cobra light bar comes immediately to mind for unobtanium. See what you can find in your own research and if no joy post a wanted to buy in the classifieds. The unobtanium WILL induce severe cases of sticker shock. Some stock Honda replacement parts are entering the unobtanium market. The youngest Valkyries ARE 14 years of age and the oldest ones are 97 models. flea bay and amazon once in awhile have Valkyrie "stuff" for sale. Pinwahl in Ohio has Salvage Valkyries and Valkyrie parts. Some board members have "stashes" they may or may not be willing to sell some of their extras. Every so often after some one sells their Valkyrie they find a bunch of "stuff" that Never got installed and are selling it. Again-be prepared for sticker shock. Check with the folks you purchased the Valkyrie from and see if they have extra "stuff" they wanna sell. Again-Welcome to our little sandbox.   RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome to the board.  Hope you have many years of trouble free riding as I have.  

A couple things about the Valkyrie.  If you have the stock fuel valve it is very important the switch turns freely and you hear/feel it snap into each position.  Make sure you turn it off when done riding.

The rear end (final drive) to wheel alignment is very important.  Also the conditions of the drive splines and driveshaft splines.

Most of us choose to remove the rear wheel and drive shaft to inspect and lube these upon acquiring a new ride.  The sooner you learn the detailed procedure for r/r of the rear wheel the better, it will save you lots of money at tire change time.

Ride safe, oh remember rule no. 1 you must post a good picture or no one believes you!  lol

[Strider]

Welcome from soggy Louisiana!!!!!  Classifieds here are good.  If you know what you are looking for, do a google search - there is usually stuff on ebay (new).  There is an Ultimate Seats Link at the top of the page - one of the sponsors here and great seats if you are looking for seats.  Beside ebay, if you look for Honda Valkyrie on search for things such as saddle bag guards and stuff, there are still places that have them or make them.

Anyway, welcome................You will love the Valk.  

[FarmerRick]

[JimC]

Nice looking bike and welcome to the insanity.

PLUS, I love your signature line. You will fit right in with the majority around here.

Jim

[Rawie]

I am a newbie as well.  Why is it important to turn the fuel off when done riding for the day?

[FarmerRick]

I am a newbie as well.  Why is it important to turn the fuel off when done riding for the day?

I think it's the same problem that I had with my old Goldwing... if the fuel inlet needle valve sticks open on your carbs(especially the shifter side), your cylinders will fill up with fuel and the next time you try to start it, the bike will hydro-lock and that makes parts snap crackle and pop. Not a good thing.

My petcock was just rebuilt, but I still need to get back into the habit of shutting it off anyway.

[Strider]

Turn the fuel off to avoid hydrolock (Fuel continuing to flow and filling a cylinder).  Great looking bike   - you already have some aftermarket on yours - 6 into 6 pipes, luggage rack and swingarm covers.  Another place you can check out is Carolina Bike and Trike - He is a Valkyrie owner and makes his own stuff - and Truckracer is a really good dude.

http://www.carolinabikeandtrike.com/

I get my O-ring sets from him as well for the rear.

[Jess from VA]

Welcome Rick.  

This little memory game is a good and simple practice.

When pulling in from the day riding and putting the bike away (not necessary when stopping for gas, pee or lunch), you put your right hand down to turn off the key.  AND, you put your left hand down to turn off the gas.  Do it every time, and it becomes muscle memory.  (If you are not using both hands, you are doing it wrong  ) 

I always plug my battery tender pigtail in too.

PS, you are aware of the choke (enrichner) having to be pushed down hard (when starting), about a quarter inch past when it first starts to get hard to push down?  If you stop short, your bike is not choked at all.  

[Jopson]

Welcome FarmerRick! Nice bike, looks like a clean one!!
Are you actually a farmer??!!

[EZRiderF6C]

Hello!

Welcome!!!  You will find on here and on the Valkyrie Facebook pages that you are amongst some of the most passionale motorcycle enthusiasts ever.  There is *nothing* you won't be able to find that someone in the Valkyrie world hasn't already figured out.

I have tackled huge (to me) jobs on my valkyrie because the folks here had pictures, comments, help.  I've put LED's in my guages, I've put in Josh's headlight bracket and have a daymaker on my '98GL1500CD, I've replaced the rear brake pads.  I've change the pipes from stock to SuperTrapps.  I am just about to pull the entire rear-end and replace the U-JOINT and regrease/check all the splines on the drive shaft.  I have put BB-s in my handlebars and I have gone with the dark side and love it, thanks to Mark T.

I don't post on here too often and that should change, but the VRCC on FB as well as the VOC and other Valkyrie forums are very active.

I have a lift and some special-valkyrie related tools and anytime anybody is in Colorado, if they need Valkyrie help I am here near Arapahoe and I-25.


David

[Willow]

... '98GL1500CD ...

?

[Hacked Valk]

BB's in handle bars???

[Jess from VA]

BB's in handle bars???

Packed on top of gun powder?   Really novel idea there.  I like it.   

[BudMan]

BB's in handle bars???

Packed on top of gun powder?   Really novel idea there.  I like it.   

Anti theft device?? Man, don't forget to disarm THAT one before cranking!

[Pappy!]

Welcome from Soggy Central Florida as well !!
Enjoy the bike, they are truly amazing pieces of machinery.

[pais]

 
   Welcome FarmerRick,
     Very nice bike! This wonderful motorcycle Honda produced is an addiction like no other I've had in my life........other than women and firearms.

[NewValker]

Welcome FarmerRick! Nice lookin bike.
I've bought accessories  from Cyclemax, good fit, good finish decent price.
Craig

[Mr Whiskey]

'Em 'er look like the turn out tips of a set a Two Brothers pipes,
if so...
rare as hens teeth Bro!
Welcome aboard, good lookin' ride

[czuch]

BB's got me too.

[nomoreharleys]

What is with the BB's?

[The emperor has no clothes]

What is with the BB's?

I think it's a 007 James Bond thing. If Goldfingers men are after you, pull the grip off and let the BB' all over the road. Then they die in a fiery crash. Hopefully you won't be riding on a car tire, as then you'd die first in a fiery crash. (Actually, I think I've heard of Harley guys putting them in the bars back in the day to lessen vibration)

[Jess from VA]

People have been adding weight to the inside of the handlebars for decades to lessen vibration.

V-twinkies yes.  Flat 6's..... really?