Steering

[MrBones]

Is there a way to adjust the steering tension? In parking lots when I want to make a turn the front end tries to turn completly and has to be held firmly to stop it from a full twist. I thought it was me but my son rode it today and had the same trouble. Hoping theres a way to damper it.

[MP]

I believe that tightening the stem bearing will help some, but do NOT get it too tight. It is somewhat a chararteristic of the valk that it will "fall over" into a slow turn.

MP

[MrBones]

Thanks MP that was my thought also but was hoping. The ft lbs for the adjusting nut is only 12. 29 to set the bearings. But can't blame a little guy for trying.

[stlthmsta]

I have seen this on a friends bike and it was the tires. After new tires, switching from Avons to Metzlers, the flop to the sides went away. BTW, the tension on the bearings will not help this. That will keep the front from wobbling and giving head shake on decel.  Hope this helps.  TM

[MrBones]

Thanks for the input. Its been the same with E3s or Avons. And Ive only had it for about 7 years so guess will have to get used to it.

[Dragon2000]

Thanks for the input. Its been the same with E3s or Avons. And Ive only had it for about 7 years so guess will have to get used to it.

I hear what you are saying. When I first bought my Tourer, I was warned about the low end plow characteristic and I too have almost dumped mine a couple of times. Both my Gold Wing and Venture Royal never exhibited this.

[stlthmsta]

Here's something that might also help. Not being typical Valk ride I RAISED the rear suspension rather than lower it as is common. The short of it is I found that Progressive Suspension air shocks for a GL1500 Goldwing were 1/2" longer than the stockers center to center on the eyelets.
This raised the rear a little without looking funny or out of place. Handles better with added ground clearance and adds ajustability to the rear. I did have to make an "othopedic shoe" for the kick stand so it doesn't lean over too far.
I feel it was worth the price.

[Oceandiver]

I feel the pain of this characteristic.  I dumped it with the girlfriend on the back right out of the driveway...managed to hold it off the ground while she got off, twisted my right knee all to hell, this is when I truly learned how heavy the bike is !  Really have to pay attention when low speed handling this bike.  Weird how I was instinctively willing to sacrifice ALL to make sure the bike didn't touch the ground ! hahaha

[Valker]

Folks who may need this: There will be several low speed Valk handling techniques sessions at the ride in at Keystone next summer.

[Dragon2000]

Here's something that might also help. Not being typical Valk ride I RAISED the rear suspension rather than lower it as is common. The short of it is I found that Progressive Suspension air shocks for a GL1500 Goldwing were 1/2" longer than the stockers center to center on the eyelets.
This raised the rear a little without looking funny or out of place. Handles better with added ground clearance and adds ajustability to the rear. I did have to make an "othopedic shoe" for the kick stand so it doesn't lean over too far.
I feel it was worth the price.

It's ironic that you should mention raising the back end. My winter project over the winter of 9/10 was installing a set of Progressive 412 HD's. It did raise the back end there is no doubt about it. The easy way to tell was the angle when the kickstand is down. At the same time I also changed the Stem Bearings which took the infamous shake - shimmy away.

I am going to try to make the Keystone rendezvous as I would love to know how not to get my self into that predicament.

[Oceandiver]

Stem bearings?  Shake?
I have a VTX1300C which definitely had the problem, changed the bearings.  I didn't know this was an issue with Valk's too.  Does the Valk have the cheap ball bearings in them?  I just assumed the Valk had heavy duty roller bearings like the VTX1800, like what I put in the 1300.  It made a world of difference on the VTX.

[stlthmsta]

Valks have the tapered steering head bearings in them, as does the GoldWing 15's and all other smaller Honda bikes. They cheaped out on the 1800's and I have changed more than I can count. A friend and I work on GW's and others on the side. If the bearings are loose in a Valk (or any other) it will allow the dreaded head shake start to riun your ride.
Example: a local guy bought a '10 GW off the show room floor. Before he got home he was feeling the shake. Several trips back to the dealer and no help. They tried swapping wheels, changing tires, retourqued the head bearings twice and more. All this under "guidence" of Honda service advisor. He came to see us with 600 miles on the bike and we converted the steering head bearings, done right and the problem is gone immediately. Not braggin', just saying this fixes 90% of head shake problems.  TM

[Dragon2000]

Valks have the tapered steering head bearings in them, as does the GoldWing 15's and all other smaller Honda bikes. They cheaped out on the 1800's and I have changed more than I can count. A friend and I work on GW's and others on the side. If the bearings are loose in a Valk (or any other) it will allow the dreaded head shake start to riun your ride.
Example: a local guy bought a '10 GW off the show room floor. Before he got home he was feeling the shake. Several trips back to the dealer and no help. They tried swapping wheels, changing tires, retourqued the head bearings twice and more. All this under "guidence" of Honda service advisor. He came to see us with 600 miles on the bike and we converted the steering head bearings, done right and the problem is gone immediately. Not braggin', just saying this fixes 90% of head shake problems.  TM

A fellow Valkyrie owner sold his and bought a brank new 09 GW and it too shook from day one. While the Dealer said it was the tire, they changed it and the shake was still there. He had to convince/talk them into looking at and tightening the Stem Bearings. Once the did, Voila, problem solved.

It makes one wonder, who knows more - The owner or the Dealer....... 

[stlthmsta]

<<<<It makes one wonder, who knows more - The owner or the Dealer.......  >>>>>

  I guess that depends on the owner and the dealer. I've seen good and bad on both sides, haha.  TM

[TrickyD]

Sure hope as many riders as possible can make it to Keystone for the Reunion! Valker puts on an incredible demo of slow speed turning. Have to see it and it WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!