Honda Valkyrie

The Honda Valkyrie is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Honda from 1997 to 2003. It was designated GL1500C in the US market and F6C ("Flat Six Custom") in other markets. In the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in cruiser motorcycles, that generally feature a V-twin engine. The idea of an American cruiser styled motorcycle featuring a flat six engine came from Josef Boyd. The Valkyrie engine is a 1,520 cubic centimetres (93 cubic inches), liquid-cooled, horizontally opposed flat-six engine shared with Honda's Gold Wing 4th generation model, unlike the V-twin engine commonly found on "cruiser" style motorcycles. In its transplant from the Gold Wing, the most notable engine changes were the camshaft, use of solid lifters (instead of hydraulic lifters as the Gold Wing) and the change to six individual 28 mm carburetors, one for each cylinder, changes which increased power and torque. The Valkyrie was offered with a reverse gear in Japan. The Valkyrie was made in the United States at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio.