[shadow2001]

For the life if me I don't understand WHY Honda Designers decide to put mirrors on the gas tank angled straight at your eyes. I had the same problem on my VTX-R, so you would think I would have learned my lesson, but I had a couple of bikes in-between the two, so I guess it didn't jump out at me.

So... how to blacken the chrome without it costing a fortune. Any ideas? I wish the chrome was black and the black handlebar was chrome. Sigh... sometimes I worry that I will never be completely happy with any motorcycle.

 

[Firefight100]

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-SHD1000-Shadow-Black-out-Coating/dp/B003E2AC0E
The cheapest way that will look good.

 

[Kidd]

the gas tank chrome thing cost about $85 to replace it with a black one

 

[Antonio Schiano]

I have been trying to figure out the same thing. It's blinding! I was thinking about hyrdo-dipping them to look like carbon fiber!

 

[f6fig]

i have no problem, ever, i wear sun glasses ALL the time!

 

[spot8ball]

I live in the sunny southern USA. I was riding one day and could not believe how much sunlight was reflected at just the right angle to shoot right under my visor and into my eyes. Thanks for this thread!

 

[shrubbo]

Never had a problem either but I do wear a full face so I don't actually see it that much.

 

[tngarren]

I'll be taking the black beast on a road trip to Daytona for several days in a few weeks. Is the reflection from the chrome a a minor annoyance or a big deal? I suppose I can take some painters tape as a fall back plan but thought I would ask those with more experience than me.

 

[Richmonder]

I'll be taking the black beast on a road trip to Daytona for several days in a few weeks. Is the reflection from the chrome a a minor annoyance or a big deal? I suppose I can take some painters tape as a fall back plan but thought I would ask those with more experience than me.

I guess it depends on time of day and direction. I have found it can be absolutely blinding under the right circumstances, but leaning more forward or back can alleviate that until circumstances change.

Richmonder

 

[Farther]

It’s an annoyance but hasn’t caused a problem yet. I’ve considered one those Talisman tank covers, mainly for the pocket.

 

[Sixshooter]

Sunny Florida here, never bothered me. Now I'm going to be looking for it. 😟
You could also use a wrap it, any color, style, carbon fiber etc... I see many with the black Valkyrie swap it out for the black and it probably looks the most professional/original as it is an original Honda OEM part. I like the looks of that monstrous center mass of chrome centered on a black tank. I'll see if I can find some pics of my friends, he wrapped all his chrome in Carbon Fiber.

Also, if you want to see how the black looks from the rider's view. Click on the post "Risers NOT" and scroll to the last post by Smokedeel, he has a good picture of the black one.
Ah heck I copied it for you, hope Smokedeel doesn't mind me copying his photo. Looks like he swapped out all his chrome parts for black. Looking sharp Smokedeel

 

[Sixshooter]

Here's the Carbon Fiber wrap. It was so simple, he cut the material, stuck it on and didn't even have a heat gun, just used a hair dryer. For a rookie job it came out nice if you like that stuff. Can't find the gas door pic. Well from the ride pics later that day it appears he did not wrap the fuel door. But you get the point, easily done.

 

[Sixshooter]

We did lots of Valkyrie work that day. New Avon tires, 200 on the rear. New POD lights, new windscreen, carbon fiber then a ride for BBQ.

 

[tngarren]

A blue Valk sans bags is a work of art.

 

[Sixshooter]

A blue Valk sans bags is a work of art.

Yes, when they first came out, I was a hater in the looks department. They have grown on me and even the radiator PODS. The cooling system works SO WELL and no longer any issue's as I've had on other bikes with road debris kicking up into the cooling fins directly behind the front wheel. Truly an engineering masterpiece with fuel injection and single sided swing arm. Apparently the world doesn't agree

 

[Suthrncop66]

Nice job