Increasing horsepower

[lilBULL85]

I'm wanting to increase the power out of my 2000 interstate. It has a few miles on it and the valves have started to leak, this being said seeing as I'm going to break into the motor I want to add some upgrades. Do any of you have an idea of what all I can do to increase my performance? Thank you in advance.

[RDKLL]

Might have to talk to Attic Rat about his performance upgrade..not really a lot of bolt-ons.
Read this thread...
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=76874.0

[Andy Cote]

SUPERCHARGER!!

[Bighead]

Might have to talk to Attic Rat about his performance upgrade..not really a lot of bolt-ons.
Read this thread...
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=76874.0

This^^^^^

[Bagger John - #3785]

Pipes, headwork, carburetor tuning to match...performance cams if they can be sourced...maybe a different air filter but I'm partial the stock part.

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

[Jess from VA]

If it's all tuned up, with no vacuum leaks, no petcock problems, no dirty carbs, it doesn't need any HP upgrades.  It beats most anything out there all by itself (if you know how to run it).

This hopping-up mentality comes from Hogs and other Vtwins.  Put it behind you.

Not that Bob Smith doesn't do fine work, he does. 

[Tfrank59]

If it's all tuned up, with no vacuum leaks, no petcock problems, no dirty carbs, it doesn't need any HP upgrades.  It beats most anything out there all by itself (if you know how to run it).

+1


BTW, how do you know the valves leak--compression test?  Seems odd if they are leaking

[Leathel]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goes

[Jess from VA]

If it's all tuned up, with no vacuum leaks, no petcock problems, no dirty carbs, it doesn't need any HP upgrades.  It beats most anything out there all by itself (if you know how to run it).

+1


BTW, how do you know the valves leak--compression test?  Seems odd if they are leaking

I think he means the valve covers.

[98valk]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goes

8 sec rocket
http://www.carpenterracing.com/RIII_SB_899.htm

[DarkSideR]

The Attic Rat's "GLH" (Goes Like Hell) performance package is the way to go. In addition to milling the heads, porting & polishing the heads and intakes, and carb rejet he goes through everything with a fine tooth comb. So in addition to getting more power you will also end up with more reliability.

He's booked out month in advance to don't wait to get a hold of him.

I had him work on my bike this last summer. I am very pleased with my end product. My bike is stupid powerful. It has spun the rear in 2nd! Since I often ride cross country, I can do so with peace of mind knowing it's been serviced to perfection. And lastly he uses all OEM parts so servicing it in the future is easy.

The Attic Rat
Bob Smith
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=profile;u=96

[Leathel]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goes

8 sec rocket
http://www.carpenterracing.com/RIII_SB_899.htm

hence my comment re work on them, I have also seen them turbo charged and pulling 350hp... but that didn't do 8's...they couldn't get the power to the ground to do that.

[Tfrank59]

If it's all tuned up, with no vacuum leaks, no petcock problems, no dirty carbs, it doesn't need any HP upgrades.  It beats most anything out there all by itself (if you know how to run it).

+1


BTW, how do you know the valves leak--compression test?  Seems odd if they are leaking

I think he means the valve covers.

Oh, well that's different. Hey OP, is that what you meant, that your valve covers are leaking oil? That's also a little bit odd to me

[Valkahuna]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goesb

I'm sorry Leathel. I love my Valk, but a stock well running Valk won't keep up with a stock well running Rocket III. It won't really be close no matter how much you love your Fat Gurl. Horsepower is more than "just on paper". Not trying to pick on your bike, but it is what it is. Line up next to a Hyabusa and you won't stand a chance either, or a 1600 BMW. Our Valks are great but not race bikes. Sorry! For an all around Cruiser, I would not want anything else than my Valk, but reality is reality!

[John Schmidt]

I'm wanting to increase the power out of my 2000 interstate. It has a few miles on it and the valves have started to leak, this being said seeing as I'm going to break into the motor I want to add some upgrades. Do any of you have an idea of what all I can do to increase my performance? Thank you in advance.

Just curious....what do you mean when you say your bike "has a few miles on it?" Generally I'd call any Valkyrie with 200k or more miles on it as "having a few miles on it."  As for valves leaking, are you talking about the actual intake and/or exhaust valves? If your bike has less than 600-700k miles on it then I say "no way" unless you have adjusted them too tight. I've seen Gold Wings with 3/4 million miles on them, same motor, never been torn down. I seriously doubt your valves are leaking.

OK, just read your PM re. the bike, probably more apt to be rings rather than valves. Poorly maintained and not keeping the intake clean will lead to extra wear. A suggestion....I'd be more inclined to buy a low mileage used motor rather than rebuild the current one. Usually less money and time involved. Keep us posted on your project. We have members with high mileage also and they don't experience what you described to me, so I'd say you're right in the cause being poor maintenance by your dad.

[Leathel]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goesb

I'm sorry Leathel. I love my Valk, but a stock well running Valk won't keep up with a stock well running Rocket III. It won't really be close no matter how much you love your Fat Gurl. Horsepower is more than "just on paper". Not trying to pick on your bike, but it is what it is. Line up next to a Hyabusa and you won't stand a chance either, or a 1600 BMW. Our Valks are great but not race bikes. Sorry! For an all around Cruiser, I would not want anything else than my Valk, but reality is reality!

Have you ridden with a rocket?

the valk must have a wider power range or something, these 2 rocket III bikes (one roadster, one tourer) and my Valk have been on the local race track and out of the corner & along the back strait there is nothing in it (I am a gear down using more revs) all 3 bikes have been tweaked a little along the same lines but they have had a remap as well





some of the equalizing factor  is grip, they will break loose at times where mine wont. another I ride with, Rob has a new one with 6K spent on the engine.....it beats us but not by that much, not sure exactly why....power range....weight.....grip?  but there is nothing in it.... not saying nothing will beat the valk...just that rocket III's in the real world are not that much different

[Tfrank59]

You guys need to start a rocket III vs. Valk thread. This is a hijacking

[9Ball]

Own and ride both...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles_by_acceleration

[98valk]

Own and ride both...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles_by_acceleration

 

[nogrey]

If you want much more than that, do what I did and add a Concours 14 to the stable. Or a Rocket III. Etc.

Superchargers are nice on a weekend cruiser but I wouldn't want to run such a setup on a daily driver.

The rocket III has more on paper but unless you are going to work it with more than just a remap they are no faster than than a well runnig valk on the road, I ride with several and none go faster on pickup, even with opened up intake and exhaust ..... even been on a track with one before I tweaked my carbs and he still couldn't pull away along the back strait .. I couldn't gain on him either but he should have pulled away according to book power

Often get comments from them about how well the valk goes

Sorry, but I can’t buy that. Unless there was something wrong with your friends Rocket. As an owner of many Valks and a Rocket III, I can tell that after riding a Rocket and hopping on a Valk you feel like there is something wrong with it. The torque and acceleration provide by the Rocket is never ending. At 80MPH a simple twist of the throttle “rockets” you past the vehicle in front of you.
Now, before I get lambasted. Let me tell you that my Rocket is for sale. I just love the Valkyrie and it’s culture, not to mention the reliability, way more than the Rocket. I’m sending my ‘97 tourer to Bob for him to do his magic and hopefully that will appease my lust for power. But believe me. I know. The rocket is lightyears beyond the Valkyrie in sheer brute force.

[nogrey]

Own and ride both...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles_by_acceleration

 

I’d say that pretty much clinches it!

[greggh]

Before Attic Rat mods......
I lost 80 pounds and bike got a hell of alot faster.
 
Not certain of this is true but
I was told for every 10 lbs loss HP increases by 1 hp
By my guess that's 8 hp
Like I said.... not certain of that's fact

[Tfrank59]

Before Attic Rat mods......
I lost 80 pounds and bike got a hell of alot faster.
 
Not certain of this is true but
I was told for every 10 lbs loss HP increases by 1 hp
By my guess that's 8 hp
Like I said.... not certain of that's fact

When I first read your post I thought maybe you were talking about shaving pounds off of the bike's weight. Then I realized, unless I'm mistaken, you're talking about your own personal weight loss. I'd be happy if I could lose 8 lbs much less 80

[cookiedough]

well, if I lost 80lbs. I would gain 8hp, that is awesome, too bad it will not happen anytime soon.  bummer.    yah, the rocket III is faster than almost all stock valkyries probably even a valk supercharged as well, not sure on that one?  2300cc vs. 1520cc that alone is something.

maybe you are that much more of a better rider than your buddies on the rocket III's??   Heck, even a HD, for example sportster, can whip our Valks with the right rider. 

I have watched pinks all out TV show on cycle races and some normal joe blow normal rider on what appears to be a much FASTER bike should win while he lost to a professional cycle drag racer on a much older, slower bike.   The normal guy took off faster but the older, slower bike with the pro driver caught up to him barely at the end of the drag strip to win a much nicer/faster bike. 

I know comparing valk rider to valk rider,  some are much faster than me, while some are much slower than me in a drag race.  but if I lost that 80lbs. , oh BOY, LOOK OUT!!!   

[mello dude]

On the Valky, I like it for the attributes that is a fine, smooth and relaxing ride... the classic layback and cruise easy. Yeah, once in a while I crack it open hard, and that is fun too.

I never understand why some guys are gaming for more power out of a bike that generally is a cruiser/tourer. If I want speed, I get on my VFR which is way quicker, faster.

[Red Ballz]

It’s fun tinkering with things and trying to get more power so when you crack the throttle it screams to redline. Yes, I’ve got faster bikes for when I really want to get up and go, but I also like to ride my Valkyrie like I stole it. It’s just such a riot when that engine wakes up.

[98valk]

“We’re far from having too much horsepower…my definition of too much horsepower is when all four wheels are spinning in every gear.”
― Mark Donohue


If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower.
Mark Donohue

 No, it will never have enough power until I can spin the wheels at the end of the straightaway in high gear. Too much power is never enough.
Mark Donohue

[cookiedough]

there is power and there is stupid crazy power.  I choose to live to ride another day since I would do something stupid like trying to outride my riding skills.  Any bike can be ridden it is just when you crack the throttle things go bad in a hurry.   The Valk is a happy medium in all categories IMO, fast enough to be fast, but controlled power.

IMO, is still in the top 10 of all bikes EVER made in all categories considered (basically top 10 most well rounded bikes in all categories). 

[Avanti]

Ride more tight curves; you will find all the power you need.

When I ride a heavily tight-curved road, I always remind myself, "If you can't wreck it at home, bring it here".

[RWhitehouse]

Before Attic Rat mods......
I lost 80 pounds and bike got a hell of alot faster.
 
Not certain of this is true but
I was told for every 10 lbs loss HP increases by 1 hp
By my guess that's 8 hp
Like I said.... not certain of that's fact

Ehh, let's try it. For sake of example we'll say each bike has the same 200lb rider

Sportbike (400lbs, 100hp, roughly a modern 600 class)

600lbs (400lb bike+200lb rider)/ 100hp= 6 lbs/hp
Rider loses 20lbs= 580/100= 5.8lbs/hp
Exhaust gains 2hp= 600/102= 5.88lbs/hp

So the weight drop is slightly more effective than the power bump.

Valkyrie (750lbs, 100hp, roughly a standard)
950lbs (750+200lb rider)/100hp= 9.5 lbs/hp
Rider loses 20= 930/100= 9.3lbs/hp
Tuning gains 2hp= 950/102= 9.31

In this case, 1hp gained is roughly the same difference as 10lbs dropped

So worst case, Harley dresser ridden 2 up.
1350lbs (950+ 2x 200lb riders)/ 70hp= 19.28 lbs/hp
20lbs dropped on Atkins= 1330/70= 19.0 lbs/hp
2hp gained w/ Screamin Chicken air cleaner= 1350/72= 18.75 lbs hp.

In that case the relation starts to go the other way, the power bump was more effective than the weight drop.

[dago mooserider]

The O.P. question.....see attic rat, also try to hunt down a Viking exhaust and possibly a Dyna ignition this will put u very close to a rocket 3 in  a straight drag. I suspect even a stock valkyrie with a decent rider will torch a rocket on a track with some curves and braking.

I did a little research on the 1/8 mile for a rocket. Most times are around 7.4 seconds. My best with the above mentioned mods is 7.6. I'm sure it has a 7.5 in it I just suck on the launch. Rockets are quick.
 

[JimBob]

For me, I ride the Valk when my wife is riding with me.
Smooth and easy, enjoying a nice sunny day on the back roads.

If I want to go fast, I roll out my Buell 1125R (Rocketship) or Buell XB12S Lightning (Hot Rod).

Sometimes one of my wife's friends will ask me "Why do you have so many motorcycles?"
and I reply "Why do you have so many pairs of SHOES?"
.... and the answer is, in both cases, is that different ones are for different purposes.

[mello dude]

For me, I ride the Valk when my wife is riding with me.
Smooth and easy, enjoying a nice sunny day on the back roads.

If I want to go fast, I roll out my Buell 1125R (Rocketship) or Buell XB12S Lightning (Hot Rod).

Sometimes one of my wife's friends will ask me "Why do you have so many motorcycles?"
and I reply "Why do you have so many pairs of SHOES?"
.... and the answer is, in both cases, is that different ones are for different purposes.

That's it exactly.  Two wheel life is so wide and varied, nothing fits to do all. I like the shoe comparison.
Different bikes excell at different duties. For the sunny day cruising, there is none better than the Valk.
For riding twistys in anger, my overmodified VFR fits that role perfectly. Also for a weekend trip in the mountains the VFR works great for that. There's other duties I am missing... a new Goldwing, a Ducati 999, maybe a monster, definately the new Indian FTR1200 (wow), - sh!t... I need a bigger garage.
MBD is alive and well. lol