Hello, new member with a couple of Questions !

[Bart]

Hi, my name is Bart. I purchased a beautiful Black 1999 Interstate with only 15,000 miles a couple of weeks ago and have been doing routine maint. on it since. New plugs, new KnN air Filter, new oil and filter, new antifreeze, and new final drive oil, the previuos owner is no longer with us and I have no idea of the maint. that had been done . I was able to do these things thanks to the info I found on this site. I would like to put some rear speakers in the empty spots in the rear arm rests and I was wondering where the wires from the radio for these speakers could be found, the radio has controls for rear speakers, so should'nt there be some speaker wires hanging out some where, I guess I could tap into the front speaker wires and run new wire to the new rear speakers.  I have put 150 or so miles on this bike in cooler weather and can't say for sure that I noticed the radiator fan ever coming on. How long if left runing at idol should it take for the fan to come on and is it very obveous when it comes on? It seems a bit odd that there is no engine temp or oil temp indication on this bike. I love the bike and it seems that it was very well taken care of and look forward to putting some trips on it. Any help with the rear speaker wiring and the radiator fan operation would be much appriceated !

[NITRO]

Welcome, Bart! Where are you from?

There's another post going now about the fan kicking in. I only notice mine if sitting in traffic, and even then it's not terribly loud.

I haven't put rear speaker in my IS yet (only had it a couple weeks), but there must be a place specifically for the rear speakers. There wouldn't be fade control if they were meant to be spliced in with the front speakers.

[Bart]

Sorry, I am in the state of Washington, I have purchased and installed rear speakers, just not sure how or where to hook the wires. Thanks !

[MP]

Congrats on your purchase.  Great bike.  I would not worry about the fan.  It does not come on much.  About the only time I hear it, is if you have been running, then need to sit at a stop light for a while, or something like that.

I believe the rear speaker hookup is under the right side cover.  I think there is two or three wires with bullet connections?  The front speakers use three wires.

Do not splice in.  We will find the hookups for you!  Did you use OEM rear speakers, or not?

MP

[MP]

The connection for the rear speaker wires is under the right side cover... it is a white connector with four holes (2x2).

http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=290&str=2
OEM speakers

An aftermarket supplier for the speaker wire harness is http://www.electricalconnection.com/

Polk DB501 will fit with some modifications:

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/speakers/5/db501/

Hope this helps some.

MP

[cookiedough]

Yep, there should be a plug in under the right side cover for the wiring harness you can buy p/n 03106 under www.electricalconnection.com for only 14.95 just look under 'wiring harness'.  Unfortunately, I cannot find my plug in under the right side cover since I think, not sure, the 6 disc clarion CD changer in my trunk is taking up those connectors under the right side cover (no open connectors left I think-not sure-will keep looking though). That is a pretty good deal on the wiring harness and just route the wires under the seat to the frame and go from there in back by the rear trunk.  I have been contemplating doing the same thing and getting new front and rear speakers from http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=32 for only 70 bucks each both front and rear since I think, not sure, the same speakers will fit the Valkyrie as the GL1500 goldwings - correct?  I'm not too fond of the stock front Honda speakers and think they are overpriced and at best, mediocre in sound quality.

[NITRO]

Most any 4" speaker should fit in the rear. I don't know if things are different up front.

Here are some that I'll be adding eventually: http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=JM%2DUSK%2D9000

[cookiedough]

Thanks nitro for the website. Those J&M speakers are 10 bucks cheaper than J&M's website - good deal, I'll keep the website bookmarked for use later.  Those 4" speakers on the website are for the rear and I think the front fairing speakers also the same price are 4 1/2" speakers to replace the mediocre Honda OEM speakers upfront.  I have the receipt from the previous owner of my Interstate who got the fully functional 6 disc CD box in the trunk with clarion Cd changer attached to my Iron Horse Tank bib done in 2001/2002 and it was also from Sierra Electronics.  I was shocked the price was 600 bucks new back then, but I guess that was before mp3 players (easy to hook up on the Interstate) were so readily available and my CD unit now is not being used much and more appropriate to have in a car system.  It sucks I cannot fit 2 helmets inside the locking trunk unless I take the unit out and sell it or move it to the side saddlebags.

[JetDriver]

It seems a bit odd that there is no engine temp or oil temp indication on this bike.

Bart, you're right, there are no gauges, but you do have an engine coolant temperature light that will illuminate should the coolant get too hot, and an oil pressure indicator that illuminates if your oil pressure is too low.  If you want real gauges, there are some after-market ones available.  Motesen gauges are specifically designed to match the style and color of the stock Valkyrie gauges.  Welcome to the group!

[Bart]

Thanks for all the info you guys. I found the black plug and made up my own connector for it, I purchased a pair of Pyle 4 inch coaxial speakers # PL42BL deliverd to my door from millionbuy.com for only $25.00 that sound much better than the Honda OEM ones up front and were a perfect fit in the rear ! I also was able to get the radiator fan to come on so now it's time for a cruise.
Bart

[Chicago Mark]

Thanks for the tips on rear speakers. I don't have them on my Interstate but would like to at some point. My radiator fans come on if I'm stuck in stop and go (mostly stop) traffic. They are very quite though. I'm actually not sure if there's one or two radiator fans.

I bought a Tru Temp temperature gauge/oil dipstick on eBay from a great seller. From a practical point, it's probably not the best dip stick but it sure looks good and it's easy to see the oil temperature at a glance. I didn't look at the OEM dipstick much anyway as the Valkyrie doesn't burn any oil and I'll change the oil and filter every 2500 miles anyway.

I was able to get some nice and quick highway miles in yesterday. My mph to rpm ratio at a steady cruise is basically 70/3000, 80/3500, 90/4000, 100/4500 and there seems to be plenty more on tap. The F6 is a willing sport engine if you don't mind an occasional reduction in mpg. 

Thank You,

Mark
 

[cookiedough]

Didn't know Chicago IL had a speed limit of 100 mph? 

[Chicago Mark]

These are amazing motorcycles at that reduced (100mph) speed. 

All the best,

Mark