Valk Build/Mod Thread: Closer And Closer

[Lucien Harpress]

So while I'm messing with emblems, I decided to pick up a set of these things as well. I'm about 90% positive I'm going to put these on, but I figure I'd ride around without them for a little bit, just to be sure.

[Jonesz]

So while I'm messing with emblems, I decided to pick up a set of these things as well. I'm about 90% positive I'm going to put these on, but I figure I'd ride around without them for a little bit, just to be sure.

I like them

[Lucien Harpress]

It's been a minute since I posted an update. Too much riding and other projects, I suppose. That's not a bad problem to have, of course. In any case, a couple of developments.

-I figured out my tank knee pads. It's not the ones I posted before, but might be even cooler. We'll get there.

-A bigger deal? After multiple rounds of testing out various different configurations, I think I FINALLY settled on my final gauge layout.





Ignore the stock gauges, obviously. The only thing I need to figure out is where to place 6 indicator lights (turn signal, neutral, high beam, oil pressure, coolant temp. warning, and kickstand warning), but that shouldn't be too hard. I'd love to run them in the headlight bucket, but it all depends on the angle.

[Lucien Harpress]

Been a minute since I updated. First off, minor change- gauge plan is COMPLETELY different. I've changed it up like three times since the last post, and I haven't locked it down yet, so we'll see.

Major update: the handlebars. I've never been completely happy with the fix I came up with for my handlebars. The hand location was pretty good, and the look was... okay. But the added pivoting riser solution was never very elegant, and always struck me as a bit of a bodge-job. Finding a good set of bars for this bike is nearly impossible (1" bar diameter coupled with a MONSTER pullback required), so for the time being I broke down and grabbed a set of stock bars.



I'm... not sure yet. The position is different, but I'm sure it'll be okay. It's fixed all the problems I had with the middle, but now I like the outer portions less. In any case, I'm going to ride it a while, see if it grows on me. Barring this, my only other viable option to getting me closer to a look I like (namely, lower and flatter) is a set of beach bars, but those are even wider than these. Not to mention the cost upwards of a couple hundred dollars- quite a stretch for a test.

I'll keep an eye out at swap meets for bars that may be better, but that's back burner for now. HOPEFULLY I can get the gauges and headlight figured out 100% this winter, so we'll see.

EDIT: Never mind, I hate it. I did one ride with them, but I'm REALLY not feeling it. They're too big, they're too wide, they ruin the lines of the bike, and I'm not a fan.

I think I'm going to try to mix up my old risers, but the old bars are definitely going back on eventually.

[Lucien Harpress]

Holy moly, been a long time since my last update. Too busy riding, I suppose. Still, I have a feeling the carb rack is going to get pulled this winter. Now, I've always had a bit of a pop on the right exhaust since I bought it, plus quite the aggressive decel pop, especially when it gets warm. Normally it's manageable, but lately it's been getting quite a bit worse. I've chalked this up to the fact the baffles are drilled on the stock pipes (thanks, PO), but today I decided to pull plugs just to get an idea of what cylinder might be my problem.

So, I pull plugs 1, 3, and 5 (right side). Okay, one's a tiny bit crusty on the rim, but all three seems remarkably okay. But then, just for curious, I pull the left side plugs as well (2, 4, 6). Imagine my surprise when the spark plug tips are noticeably darker than those on the right (light brown/dark tan, vs light tan/off white on the right).

See, unlike the GL1500, not a whole lot is shared by a whole side of the engine. Individual carbs, coils split left/right, etc. Maybe I have a fuel delivery hose partially plugged, but still. Am I wrong in thinking a non-baffled exhaust runs leaner? But if that was the case, why is only one side giving me fits?

Ah well. I suppose I'll see soon enough.

[sgwilly]

There are a lot of rubber vacuum hoses underneath the carb rack that can dry out and crack. Before a full rebuild of your carbs, you might want to simply replace all those hoses.

[Lucien Harpress]

Sadly (fortunately?) I replaced those already. I had to replace the air filter, so while I was under there I replaced all the hoses too. I was hoping that would cure the issue, but no dice. It's always kind of been there, but it's usually manageable. It's just gotten bad enough in the past week or two to require actual attention.

[wingrider]

One thing comes to mind...folks were shimming needles in the carbs once upon a time...perhaps someone has done something similar to one side of your carbs. Drilled out pipes on the Valk won't make it run leaner, as there is a baffle up front that you can't really get to unless you cut the pipe apart.

You may want to look into desmogging it if you haven't done so.

[Dirty Dave]

Lose the seat. The 2000 to 2003 seats are far superior.

If you like the stock 97 seat, I'll send you another for free. It's been on a shelf here forever.