My bike is getting tired

[Tfrank59]

 I didn't really notice it until I started riding my other bike which I just got, which is a Yamahog Royal Star. but my Valk seems to be geared so much lower and slower and I hate saying it but it kind of like can't get out of its own way now. She's got 85k on her and still a lot of life left I'm sure but she really seems tired like an 85 year old lady. Definitely a senior citizen.

[Valkorado]

Maybe needing some TLC?   The Silver Bullet runs like a bat out of hell.   I've almost got Ruby back to raped ape status.  They both regularly whoop chili on brand spankin' new bikes that cost thrice as much at least.   Neither seems 85 year old lady-ish.

[old2soon]

      135 G on the clock and She can Still light up the 205-65-16 car tar on the back. Old ladyish? NOT hardly. RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

My 1500 still seems like it goes zoom zoom even after I get off the 1800...

Yours probably isn't worn out, just needs something (or a few things)
easy...

-Mike

[98valk]

Fuels with lower-quality additive packages can build up deposits on fuel injectors and on intake valves. Others can build up deposits in combustion chambers and may lead to intake valve sticking. These lower levels of additives can have negative impacts on engine performance and vehicle responsiveness.
https://toptiergas.com/toptier_detergent_gasoline/

using high octane premium gas when not needed can also cause excessive carbon buildup resulting in reduced performance.

seafoam or other fuel cleaners usage have low temp additives that when they hit the high temperature valves solidify on the back of the valves, reducing flow.

[westsidevalk]

Are you sure your not just looking for a proper reason to step out on your girl with your new bike.
Get a Factory Service manual and bring her back the love she deserves!

[JimmyG]

Guess it is just luck sometimes, but you my friend have just allowed an opportunity to open up for you.

I just happen to run a convalescent home for tired old Valkyries. To qualify, they must have a minimum of 70,000 miles on the clock, so yours certainly qualifies.  Instead of charging folks extravagant sums of money to take in and take care of old Valkyries, all I ask is that you bring your old bike to the residence. After dropping off the old girl, I will do the rest. Be sure to bring your title and we will take care of the paperwork here to get her signed in to the home.  You can rest knowing that you have done the right thing for the old gal. There will be others to interact with that have the same general background.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

"I just happen to run a convalescent home for tired old Valkyries. To qualify, they must have a minimum of 70,000 miles on the clock,....."

DAMN FUNNY!!!

[..]

Guess it is just luck sometimes, but you my friend have just allowed an opportunity to open up for you.

I just happen to run a convalescent home for tired old Valkyries. To qualify, they must have a minimum of 70,000 miles on the clock, so yours certainly qualifies.  Instead of charging folks extravagant sums of money to take in and take care of old Valkyries, all I ask is that you bring your old bike to the residence. After dropping off the old girl, I will do the rest. Be sure to bring your title and we will take care of the paperwork here to get her signed in to the home.  You can rest knowing that you have done the right thing for the old gal. There will be others to interact with that have the same general background.

 

 

[Bagger John - #3785]

Compression test on all 6 cylinders?

If a decent bit above the lower service limits, your problem lies in intake or exhaust. If at or below the limits, pull the motor then disassemble, bore the cylinders to the next larger piston size, fit new pistons, rings, possibly con-rod and main bearings. Plus any other parts which have shown excessive wear. (I'd pay close attention to valve train condition too. New stem seals are a given here.)

Reassemble, break the "new" motor in and ride for another 20 years.

Given that I've personally seen early-model Valks with close to 300k on the odo (some with significantly more) and an equal number of high-mileage GL1500 'Wings I serious doubt the "tired feeling" is internal to the engine.

[da prez]

Bagger , I'm going to start a fight. The cylinders are hardened and boring will cause rapid wear. I don't have the manual with me. If you want long life , do the homework. There are Valks with over 600000 miles and no rebuilds. Several members are well over 200000 and still running strong. These engines were built to last.

                 da prez

[Tfrank59]

Guess it is just luck sometimes, but you my friend have just allowed an opportunity to open up for you.

I just happen to run a convalescent home for tired old Valkyries. To qualify, they must have a minimum of 70,000 miles on the clock, so yours certainly qualifies.  Instead of charging folks extravagant sums of money to take in and take care of old Valkyries, all I ask is that you bring your old bike to the residence. After dropping off the old girl, I will do the rest. Be sure to bring your title and we will take care of the paperwork here to get her signed in to the home.  You can rest knowing that you have done the right thing for the old gal. There will be others to interact with that have the same general background.

 

Assisted living for elderly motorcycles. Would that be hospice level care?

[Bagger John - #3785]

Bagger , I'm going to start a fight. The cylinders are hardened and boring will cause rapid wear.

Then one presses out the old liners, presses new ones in and continues with the rebuild. Or substitutes a crankcase set with fresh/serviceable liners and continue on. 

I don't have the manual with me. If you want long life , do the homeworkadhere to the service schedule. There are Valks with over 600000 miles and no rebuilds. Several members are well over 200000 and still running strong. These engines were built to last.

Which is what I remarked in my original reply. Unless compression is way down (and no reason it should be, if the engine and intake filtering have been maintained properly) then the "tired feeling" lies in fuel or air delivery...or the exhaust system.

[jbrooks]

I ran into DDT yesterday in Cranbrook BC so he is a couple of thousand miles from home and he only has 660,000 on his tourer. With that many miles he doesn't drive like an 85 year old

[Bighead]

I ran into DDT yesterday in Cranbrook BC so he is a couple of thousand miles from home and he only has 660,000 on his tourer. With that many miles he doesn't drive like an 85 year old

Because he isnt an 85 yrs old he may look
It but he isnt 

[Tfrank59]

Are you sure your not just looking for a proper reason to step out on your girl with your new bike.

You pegged it    In my valk's defense, the day I took her out it was really windy and I made her fight a stiff headwind, but she's actually running like a scalded dog.  she needs a back tire presently, but I'm current on all the maintenance.  It's just that my new bike has much taller gearing, 4 piston calipers, way better suspension, floorboards with heel-toe shifting, and "seems" so much faster and more responsive compared to the "old gal".  Mostly perception.

[Bighead]

You need to re-title this thread to I am getting tired of my old gal.  

[Tfrank59]

You need to re-title this thread to I am getting tored of my old gal. 

Yeah you're probably right

[Bagger John - #3785]

...It's just that my new bike has much taller gearing, 4 piston calipers, way better suspension, floorboards with heel-toe shifting, and "seems" so much faster and more responsive compared to the "old gal".  Mostly perception.

Either of my Concours 14s will flatly blow either of my Valkyries (and pretty much any other F6) right into the weeds, but I'm not getting rid of any of the lot.

Been looking for a future replacement as a long-distance (read: parts-supported) touring platform and none of the 1800 'Wings (1st or 2nd-gen) seem to really jibe with my riding style. The latter 1800...well, suffice it to say that Honda nailed the chassis and absolutely bombed the engine controls.

A Road Glide is the closest thing to "perfect" (ergo-wise) that I've ridden since buying the Valkyries, but I really don't feel like being held captive by Harley's maintenance network (aka "Scam-a-Lyzer") for anything more complex than an oil and filter change.

Thus, I'll sink the cash I'd spend on a new Roadie into the Valkyries for as long as they're viable.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I'm not parting with my Valkyrie either. For one thing I wouldn't get anything for it it's shameful what these old bikes are selling for lately, but it's also the best all-season bike ever built in my opinion, and I do ride all year round.

[Jess from VA]

I'm the one getting tired (easier) (in all this heat).

My bikes just rest out in the shed waiting to go.  They aren't tired at all (they get a little dusty is all).

[Bagger John - #3785]

...it's shameful what these old bikes are selling for lately...

I don't quite have the space @ present, but I'm seriously thinking about getting another 2003 Standard at some point. Like the one I built for Blondie when we were together, and like the one which got thrown over for a Concours 14 as soon as she threw a leg over the big Kaw. 

New Gal (who hasn't done anything truly stupid and futile yet so as to earn a proper road handle) enjoys riding on the back seat and I'll doubt she'll ever be able to hoist even a Standard upright, so that gives me a few options WRT bike setup. I still have all the chrome goodies from my '03 Standard that I removed prior to selling it (Pete V., I hope you're still riding and appreciating the thing) so a reprise of efforts might be in order. I think I'll turn this one into a bike-show cruiser, rather than a road dog as my other two are set up.

Meeds Moar Garage...