Valk Build/Mod Thread: Closer And Closer

Area for discussion of the Honda Valkyrie

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desertrefugee
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#61

Post by desertrefugee »

I have a large, soft trunk bag that I use on road trips. I carry it on the factory rack, but I use a rectangular grill grate strapped on to support the bottom of the bag. Works pretty well.

Here's a shot from a couple of summers ago. The bag is off back at camp for the day touring...but you can see my "grill"!
colorado.jpg
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- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#62

Post by Lucien Harpress »

As I am wont to do, I'm still futzing with handlebars. Thankfully, I think I may have cracked it.

I like the bars I chose, but paired with the stock risers they were a non-starter- too low and too far forward. I attempted to fix this with some Harley risers (you'll see them in my one ride photos), and while these were "okay", they weren't perfect- the bars were still a bit too far forward to be REALLY comfortable. So, I bit the bullet, put the stock risers back on, and ordered some Rox riser extensions.

Image

They are 4" risers that are angled nearly straight back from the stock bar position, but paired with the bars I have end up with a rather nice riding position. In addition, I'm planning eventually to replace the seat with a solo setup, and these risers give me a bit of flexibility to fine-tune the bar position if I have to.

I wasn't sure how there were going to pan out, but now that I've got everything attached I'm quite happy with them. The weather's supposed to be a bit nicer this next week, so I'm eager to see how they do on the road.

Until then!
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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sgwilly
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#63

Post by sgwilly »

How is getting gas with those riser extensions so far back over the tank? I hang a few things off my bars and they'd totally get messed up with that setup.

And I like the grill rack. Dual purpose.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#64

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Not too bad, from what I can tell. I haven't made a gas stop with it yet (I just put them on about an hour ago), but the fuel door is still accessible. Another two inches back and I might have a problem.

The risers are SUPER-far from the ends of the handlebars. This is just (from what I can gather) taken care of by the pullback of the stock handlebars. My replacement bars don't have that much, so I've had to compensate.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#65

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I got some sheet metal in to start playing around with a new alternator cover. A bit of bending and cutting later, here's my initial attempt.

Image

I still have to paint it (probably flat black, to match the engine hangers), but I'm not 100% in love with it quite yet. It'd be nice if I could find a way to stiffen it while maintaining the curve, but that may prove difficult with my little-to-no specialized metalworking tools.

Who knows. I've still got to find a way to fit the GL1000 shield, which may help some. I'm going to sleep on it a bit, see what my options are.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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sgwilly
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#66

Post by sgwilly »

I just saw (and ordered) an aftermarket replacement direct from Japan. About $60 shipped using their coupon. That price is in my ballpark (but I do like what you're doing).

Found it over on the VRCC site. A bunch of guys over there have ordered it and were happy with what came back.

https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya/ ... 1333MZ0A00
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
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desertrefugee
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#67

Post by desertrefugee »

Metal good.

Plastic bad.

(So, I also like what Lucien's doing...just not crazy about that material - but it does give me some ideas!)
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#68

Post by Lucien Harpress »

For that price, I'm willing to give it a try.

I will probably keep picking at my solution in the meantime. I just worry I don't currently possess the equipment or ability to execute what I have in mind.

Heck, I've also seen bare alternators cleaned up with the green stripe painted black, and part of me just wants to do that. Who knows!?
Last edited by Lucien Harpress on Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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sgwilly
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#69

Post by sgwilly »

I’ll be packing some heat shielding on the backside to give it longer life.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
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desertrefugee
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#70

Post by desertrefugee »

Speaking of Valkyrie alternators, I was just noticing yesterday that the unit on mine is starting to sing a little louder than typical. I have never replaced it and I’m over 60,000 miles, so it wouldn’t surprise me if I need to spring for a new one soon.

The trick is NOT to buy one supposedly produced specifically for the Valkyrie. I haven’t priced them, but my understanding is that the 1500 Goldwing units are quite a bit cheaper and all that’s needed is to re-clock the two halves of the housing so that the alignment is correct.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Jonesz
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#71

Post by Jonesz »

sgwilly wrote: Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:31 pm I’ll be packing some heat shielding on the backside to give it longer life.
I am not saying it is true but really wondering about adding insulation to the alternator cover. I do see the reasoning in venting and allowing heat to escape from that area. I for one will not be packing heat shielding on the backside. This is one screw up Mr. Honda made on my Valkyrie and should have been made right by a factory recall. Not trying to be argumentative.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#72

Post by Lucien Harpress »

This has got me wondering now. It shouldn't- I've got a replacement cover coming. My problem is solved.

And yet.....

--I'm curious if there's a way, rather than insulate the inner surface of the cover, to run another layer of metal or other heat-sink-ish material between the cover and the alternator, with stand-offs so the heat doesn't transfer to the plastic. Not sure if space would allow it, though.

--The "painted black stripe" I mentioned earlier looks like what you get with a standard GL alternator. Good solution for the future, less so if you're just interested in looks like me.

--I've considered cutting cooling vents into the upper part of the stock cover. But I also don't want to cut up a new cover I had to import.

--I still haven't completely given up on the GL1000 shield.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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sgwilly
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#73

Post by sgwilly »

I really don’t see the cover adding to any overheating as it stands off a bit and doesn’t block any vents on the alternator itself. It really just blocks the view. I’ll be sure to leaves those vents clear.

I’ve also read that folks had success when applying heat shielding behind the plastic cover and haven’t seen any reports of cooked alternators.

But we are a scarred lot when it comes to components making electricity around here, so the hesitation is understandable.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#74

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It IS nice to be able to swap an alternator without having to pull the motor...
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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dontwantapickle
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Re: I Did a Thing: Valk Build/Mod Thread

#75

Post by dontwantapickle »

118k on my bike and no alternator issues at all.
the plastic cover is showing it's age, but then, so is the rest of the bike.

Personally I think that the alternator is ugly, and the stock cover does a good job of hiding it.

Instead of messing up the new cover by cutting in vent holes,
why not glue the old broken one back together, modify it with whatever holes you want, then just paint
it.?
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