With the weather getting colder, I bought a new top and frame from Mexico. The frame needed a little refinement (changing geometries (hole distance) and hardware) to fit behind my custom seats. So far progress is going well!
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looking good
@Vlad, won't you still get wet? 
In all seriousness, looks great. Can't wait to see it finished.
Yes, it was Rafael’s shop. He was very responsive and informative via messenger, but it took about 2 months to get the top to California. For a while there, I thought I got scammed since he only accepted a bank transfer. I kept positive , and everything arrived as promised. Rafael even included the side windows as a gift for the long delay. The quality is decent, but I did have to make a few tweaks to the frame because of my custom seats. Everything was under a grand, including shipping, so I think it’s an excellent score. I’ll keep you posted as I finish the top installation.
Looking good, Vlad. Looks like a very substantial front bow too which is good to see. Perhaps think about plexi side curtains now ?
Looking at the top frame, it looks like it will not fold completely flush into the rear tub area ?
@david.stroud.im.roadster He included the matching side windows as part of the deal 
@alan.merklin Here is the pic of my top folded. With some minor trimming, I think everything will fit snuggly under the cover. I still need to form the bar around the back similar to the pic of the blue car. It is a very clever attach point. The rear of the top is not secured with the snaps, but rather by the tube/rod. It looks a lot more smoother with less wrinkles.
Some additional progress. I will need to stretch the top and glue over the front bow.
After some Thanksgiving and pre-xmas delays, I'm happy to report that I have finished with the top installation. It didn't come out perfect since I went with a lower back bow, but I think it looks very presentable. Next up is the side windows, but I'm not in a rush to complete those.
Also, got a chance to install my new headlight rock guard covers while waiting for the top glue to dry.
Damn! That top looks great!
@Vlad you did a great job on that top! Your car looks even MORE bad-a$$ with the top up! 
@Vlad love the other toy. What the heck is that? Must be crazy to drive that.
It’s a 2004 Honda Valkyrie “Rune”. Honda made them for 2 years only (2004/2005), with only 2000 of them in production (who knows home many surviving ones are out there now). Probably rarer than the speedsters. It’s based on the Honda Goldwing platform (no reverse though 
), and sports a flat 6, 1.8l engine with shaft drive. I’m pretty sure Honda lost $$$ on everyone they produced, but they wanted to prove a point to Harley (and all similar chopper manufacturers) ; that the Japanese can build bass ass bikes, and this one definitely did not disappoint. To this day, this engineering marvel draws huge crowds anywhere I go.
@Vlad it’s a looker for sure. Definitely motor caught my eye. 👍. Keeper for sure
I go to ride a Rune here in WV...an unbelievable ride. They're worth well into the mid $20's depending on miles.
Vlad posted:It’s a 2004 Honda Valkyrie “Rune”. Honda made them for 2 years only (2004/2005), with only 2000 of them in production (who knows home many surviving ones are out there now). Probably rarer than the speedsters. It’s based on the Honda Goldwing platform (no reverse though
I know the Rune well and have ridden them several times, forever torque. I have always believed there will be one in my future, the Illusion Blue is my favorite. The front fork design is amazing.
Alan Merklin posted:I go to ride a Rune here in WV...an unbelievable ride. They're worth well into the mid $20's depending on miles.
I’m currently listing it locally in San Jose, Ca for $15.5k, but the rainy weather isn’t sparking too much interest. Probably when the weather lets up in March or April it will go fast. Thanks for all the positive comments
WNGD posted:Vlad posted:It’s a 2004 Honda Valkyrie “Rune”. Honda made them for 2 years only (2004/2005), with only 2000 of them in production (who knows home many surviving ones are out there now). Probably rarer than the speedsters. It’s based on the Honda Goldwing platform (no reverse though
I know the Rune well and have ridden them several times, forever torque. I have always believed there will be one in my future, the Illusion Blue is my favorite. The front fork design is amazing.
There is a website called runeriders.com that is entirely devoted to these bike. There are some good deals last time I looked.
You wouldn’t think it is an 800lb bike with the amount of torque that engine produces. It’s very well balanced with zero vibration. It feels like I’m sitting on top of a locomotive
If you drive that your runed for life for any other bike.
"If you drive that your runed for life for any other bike. "
He's here all week, folks. Try the veal. 
Of course you know one of my first thoughts was "What would it take to put that engine in a Speedster (or Coupe)?"
had the same 1800c in my2000 Goldwing, super fast,smooth as silk....
Vlad posted:WNGD posted:Vlad posted:It’s a 2004 Honda Valkyrie “Rune”. Honda made them for 2 years only (2004/2005), with only 2000 of them in production (who knows home many surviving ones are out there now). Probably rarer than the speedsters. It’s based on the Honda Goldwing platform (no reverse though
I know the Rune well and have ridden them several times, forever torque. I have always believed there will be one in my future, the Illusion Blue is my favorite. The front fork design is amazing.
There is a website called runeriders.com that is entirely devoted to these bike. There are some good deals last time I looked.
You wouldn’t think it is an 800lb bike with the amount of torque that engine produces. It’s very well balanced with zero vibration. It feels like I’m sitting on top of a locomotive
Strange looking front fork setup on this one. Sort of a reverse of the Earles system ?
David Stroud IM Roadster D posted:Vlad posted:WNGD posted:Vlad posted:It’s a 2004 Honda Valkyrie “Rune”. Honda made them for 2 years only (2004/2005), with only 2000 of them in production (who knows home many surviving ones are out there now). Probably rarer than the speedsters. It’s based on the Honda Goldwing platform (no reverse though
I know the Rune well and have ridden them several times, forever torque. I have always believed there will be one in my future, the Illusion Blue is my favorite. The front fork design is amazing.
There is a website called runeriders.com that is entirely devoted to these bike. There are some good deals last time I looked.
You wouldn’t think it is an 800lb bike with the amount of torque that engine produces. It’s very well balanced with zero vibration. It feels like I’m sitting on top of a locomotive
Strange looking front fork setup on this one. Sort of a reverse of the Earles system ?
There are two huge shocks behind the headlight. They translate down to the front wheel.
