What to look for on a 1999 Valkyrie - Motortrike conversion

[mr.precision]

Been away from this forum for a while.

Sold the Harley 2005 FLHTC Lehman trike some time back. Enjoyed it but got a tired of the heat, lack of power, and repairs. Even with some major engine mods, 2 up riding was a challenge.

Local guy here has a 1999 Valkyrie with a motor-trike conversion. 46K miles, EZ steer kit, lots of goodies. I know zip about these models. Cosmetics just fine. Needs new tires. I find the sitting position, or foot placement, kinda weird. Has floorboards in place of footpegs..... maybe that's just the way they are.

Runs fine and rides good, considering solid axle rear.

Motor starts and idles fine.

Guy bought it from a friend with no service records. Hmmmm..... that's a bit of a red flag.

Did a search on the forums, didn't find a "what to look for" regarding these trikes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....for a long time Harley guy. Thanks.

 

[trike lady]

Like a GL1500 Goldwing you'd want to change the timing belts and a fluid change.

 

[rhino 2]

Been away from this forum for a while.

Sold the Harley 2005 FLHTC Lehman trike some time back. Enjoyed it but got a tired of the heat, lack of power, and repairs. Even with some major engine mods, 2 up riding was a challenge.

Local guy here has a 1999 Valkyrie with a motor-trike conversion. 46K miles, EZ steer kit, lots of goodies. I know zip about these models. Cosmetics just fine. Needs new tires. I find the sitting position, or foot placement, kinda weird. Has floorboards in place of footpegs..... maybe that's just the way they are.

Runs fine and rides good, considering solid axle rear.

Motor starts and idles fine.

Guy bought it from a friend with no service records. Hmmmm..... that's a bit of a red flag.

Did a search on the forums, didn't find a "what to look for" regarding these trikes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....for a long time Harley guy. Thanks.

Welcome back…Mike…

Foot pegs on Trikes went out with black and white TV’s…

As far as what to look for at 23 years old…Check everything carefully…Then after that price will be a factor…(You didn’t mention price)

 

[Volkemon]

Has floorboards in place of footpegs..... maybe that's just the way they are.

I made brackets to replace the pegs with floorboards for my Wife... She detested the 'bird perches'. :laugh: This was my first ride with floorboards, and I wouldn't want anything else now.

 

[mr.precision]

Thanks, guys.

Trike does have floorboards in place of foot pegs.... both for driver and passenger. Just seems like the rider's floorboards position the feet far back and the shifter peg is awkward. Got to lift your foot off the board to shift. Maybe that can be adjusted.... I noticed it is on a splined shaft.

Didn't care much for the tinted windshield. I always liked looking over the top of the windshield, not through it. Yes I had read about the timing belts.

Guy wants $11k for the trike. Here's a pic.

 

[3W-lonerider]

i owned a 99 valkyrie with a motortrike for 20 years. had 214,000 miles on it when i lost it due to a fire. i could give you alot of info but i'm not going to write a book on here. if you want answers heres my phone number. 717-414-6142. anytime after 5 and before 8 pm. there is also a website with more info on the valkyrie than you could read in a week it is the valkyrie riders cruiser club. also known as the vrcc. you can also join it. great group of people over there. btw it was one of the best bikes iv'e ever owned.

 

[cycle7447]

The Valk is the same as the Wing - 1999 would be the 1500 engine. Did you ask when the trike was installed.

Also, are you handy with working on bikes. Honda dealers (for the most part) will not work on bikes that are over 10 years old. Make sure you have an Indy that can do your work - unless you plan to do it yourself.

In 2004, I sold my 1989 Wing with a Motortrike conversion (done in 1996) for $13,000. Hope some of this helps

 

[tourman]

I'd look for a GL1800 instead. Better bike.

 

[mr.precision]

Thanks for the replies.

Don't know when the conversion was done. I have restored vintage bikes all my life but at 70 now I don't do that much anymore. Never owned or worked on a Honda.

I'll keep the forum posted if I buy. The owner wants $11K on the table before allowing an extended test drive. I don't blame him a bit, but with temps here at 105* I just haven't made that trip.

The valkyrieriders website is a great resource. Thanks 3W-lonerider for the tip.

 

[3W-lonerider]

Thanks for the replies.

Don't know when the conversion was done. I have restored vintage bikes all my life but at 70 now I don't do that much anymore. Never owned or worked on a Honda.

I'll keep the forum posted if I buy. The owner wants $11K on the table before allowing an extended test drive. I don't blame him a bit, but with temps here at 105* I just haven't made that trip.

The valkyrieriders website is a great resource. Thanks 3W-lonerider for the tip.

your welcome, and the offer still stands if you wanna talk person to person i'm available. i am also 3W-lonerider on the vrcc.

11k is a fair price. mine had 214,000 miles on it and the insurance gave me 14.5 for it.

i also had alot of unobtainium on it. if you know what i mean. alot of stuff that was no longer available anywhere unless you found it used.

 

[TonkaDriver]

AZ Gathering

Hello Mike,

If you have a trike by October, We have a little gathering planned for the 8th-12th with 3 days of riding and some good food as well. We have done it in eastern AZ the last 2 years but this year moved it to Prescott for a change of scenery. Check out the thread in the gatherings forum. Hope you can join us.

Kurt

 

[LadyonaMission]

I made brackets to replace the pegs with floorboards for my Wife... She detested the 'bird perches'. :laugh: This was my first ride with floorboards, and I wouldn't want anything else now.

Your wife is a very lucky lady to have such a thoughtful husband. I have never seen the smaller floorboards on the front and the larger ones set up for the passenger.

 

[Volkemon]

Your wife is a very lucky lady to have such a thoughtful husband. I have never seen the smaller floorboards on the front and the larger ones set up for the passenger.

Wellll... She wont argue the first point, nor will I..... Thanks for your kindness.

But its a matter of camera perspective. They are the same floorboards front and back. The fronts are from the original 2006 build, I found matches to them in Sweden (!) via Ebay. She does love them.

I still have to make a bracket for the third step on the left side to help her get up there.

I bet the OP will love floorboards. I have learned to love the V twin on my ride, but deep inside I would LOVE to have found a Valkyrie trike... Goldwing smoothness with (IMO) the coolest classic look.

 

[mr.precision]

Hello Mike,

If you have a trike by October, We have a little gathering planned for the 8th-12th with 3 days of riding and some good food as well. We have done it in eastern AZ the last 2 years but this year moved it to Prescott for a change of scenery. Check out the thread in the gatherings forum. Hope you can join us.

Kurt

Thanks, Kurt. I see you're over in Bagdad. I lived in the Prescott area for 6 years before moving to Fountain Hills in the Phoenix area. Used to ride all the time over to Congress and back from Prescott.

Long term Harley rider, but with Osteoarthritis I just don't do well 2 up on a 2 wheeler any more. I am off for an extended test ride tomorrow to see if the Valkyrie and I are a match. Looking for comfort and ease of operation. At 70, comfort is more important than cool.

Will keep in touch.

Mike

 

[mr.precision]

Thanks for all the help on this thread.

I went and drove the bike 30 miles or so this AM. Everything seemed to work well, except there was an annoying harmonic vibration in the drive train at free way speeds. And a lot of slop in the drive-train too. I know the gearbox has straight cut gearing, so I expected a little noise. The vibration, though, is a concern. Could be something as simple as a U-joint, or as complex as something inside the transmission or diff.

I passed on the bike. Too much in terms of unknowns. At least until I can learn more about the noise.

Impressive ride. Pretty comfy and plenty fast.

Again, thank you for the help.

 

[3W-lonerider]

Thanks for all the help on this thread.

I went and drove the bike 30 miles or so this AM. Everything seemed to work well, except there was an annoying harmonic vibration in the drive train at free way speeds. And a lot of slop in the drive-train too. I know the gearbox has straight cut gearing, so I expected a little noise. The vibration, though, is a concern. Could be something as simple as a U-joint, or as complex as something inside the transmission or diff.

I passed on the bike. Too much in terms of unknowns. At least until I can learn more about the noise.

Impressive ride. Pretty comfy and plenty fast.

Again, thank you for the help.

i highly dought its in the trans. if this trike has the original front ujoint there is your problem. the issue with the original ujoint is the long end of the ujoint goes unto the output shaft on the tranny which puts the joint itself about 3 inches back from the output shaft. the way that is set up, the drive shaft wants to make an elliptical spin instead of a true spin. motortrike makes a whole new drive shaft that removes this known issue. as far as the harmonic vibration.

there is a bolt and sleave right behind the radiator that creates that. its called the buzz bolt by the valkyrie guys. to remove that issue. what i done was remove the bolt and sleave. drill 2 holes in the sleave about 3 inches in on each side and tap threads into the holes then install set screws. install the bolt and sleave. tighten that bolt as tight as you can. then screw the set screws in. no more buzz.

 

[mr.precision]

After some thought, research and offers back and forth I bought he 1999 Valkyrie trike. Thanks to all for the input, which helped me reach a conclusion.

Drove it home yesterday in 100* heat here in Phoenix. 55 mile trip. I am impressed with the comfort, to say the least. In the garage now, and will spend the next week checking it over. Found one of the big rattles - the right side exhaust cover is completely loose. Not sure what holds it on but will examine it today.

$9K, 45K miles, 3 owners, good tires, no records, cosmetics excellent.... think I did OK.

Tinted windshield is dreadful. Can't see over it or through it. The owner gave another that is clear so will swap and see if I like it. I prefer to look over the top of the windshield.

Again, thanks for the assistance. More to follow.

 

[Volkemon]

After some thought, research and offers back and forth I bought he 1999 Valkyrie trike. Thanks to all for the input, which helped me reach a conclusion.

Drove it home yesterday in 100* heat here in Phoenix. 55 mile trip. I am impressed with the comfort, to say the least. In the garage now, and will spend the next week checking it over. Found one of the big rattles - the right side exhaust cover is completely loose. Not sure what holds it on but will examine it today.

$9K, 45K miles, 3 owners, good tires, no records, cosmetics excellent.... think I did OK.

Tinted windshield is dreadful. Can't see over it or through it. The owner gave another that is clear so will swap and see if I like it. I prefer to look over the top of the windshield.

Again, thanks for the assistance. More to follow.

GREAT looking trike. Hope it gives 'miles of smiles'.

 

[3W-lonerider]

congrats on the valk trike. one thing to keep in mind. when i had mine i had a harmonic vibration on mine that was extremely loud when the engine was under load. after months of searching i finally found the issue. the kuryakyn trans cover on the left side. heres what was happening. the thin spacer between the trans cover and the alternator was vibrating between the 2. once i took the cover off and went for a ride the noise was gone. what i done to remove the problem was to elongate the hole in the front of that cover where it bolts to the engine. tighten the 2 bolts holding it in the rear then tighten the front one. if you have any questions that i could answer my offer still stands that you can call me between 5:30 to 8:00 eastern standard time. i will do my best to help you. the vrcc is a wealth of knowledge to. number (seven one seven) 414- six one four two.

 

[mr.precision]

Thanks, 3W.

Spent some time looking over the trike this week. Many loose nuts and bolts, in particular the exhaust mounts and exhaust shields, and some of the chrome accessories. The squeaks in the back were resolved by putting some light oil on the heim joints. Now quiet as a mouse. I haven't yet explored the "buzz bolt" but will investigate as time permits.

Dropped the air bags down to 15 psi (they were 30) which seems to smooth out the ride. I can't detect any harmonic vibration at this time, but it's been so darn hot here that even morning rides are limited to a few minutes.

U-joints all looked good, although quite a bit of slop in the drive-train somewhere. Don't know if in the trans or in the diff. Maybe this is normal.

All in all - coming along nicely. Used a whole bottle of 'final finish' to remove years of water spots and grime. The bodywork cleaned up really nice for a 23 year old scoot.

I have your phone number and will give you a call this weekend. Much obliged.

Mike