Just got my first Valk, and have 1st question.

[Mike M in ohio]

After 30 years of Electraglides (which demanded lots of loving attention) followed by two Royal Stars (a Tour Deluxe and a Venture) over the Next 7 years.... I finally purchased a Valkyrie (a 2000 red and black Interstate, with 33K miles and a gorgeous eagle mural on her fairing)...a bike that has always intriqued me.
    Well, my awesome bike arrived at my New York doorstep (shipped from Florida) last week, and I've already put a couple hundred miles on her....despite the arriving cold air that Canada kindly sent our way. So far, I love this beast in full dressed duds. She's BIG, mean, sophisticated and UNIQUE. To complement the front end mural, I added striping and a hand painted phrase across the trunk's backside (just below the chrome lettered Valkyrie. The phrase says: "Massively MORE than just a cruiser!" Despite my short time on the rig, I feel that says it all.
    Now, for my question for you fun folk: When cold starting, I do as the maual states: I open the choke, keep the throttle closed and press the starter. (gas on, of course) The problem that occurs is: the bike will fire and run for three seconds or so, then, there's a click, as she shuts off. I have yo repeat this two or three times. Then, I have to start, fully choked once more, and give it some throttle if I want to keep it running. She will not keep running and warm up on the full choke alone. Any ideas or suggestions? Any help will be appreciated...so I can get on with shining, riding (between the snowflakes) and preparing for some fabulous years of riding.
     Truly glad this group and its members are here. Hope I can contribute as time goes by. Sincerely Yours............Mike in New York

[fudgie]

Make sure you have it fully engage with the choke. Everyone makes this mistake. Once you get resistance, go some more till it stops. If memory serves me right the choke lever should be at the line/seam in the switch housing. Hope this works.

As for the click upon stopping. I think thats normal. I know the 4 wheeler does it.

[fstsix]

first of all Welcome! the Valk is a eye catcher for sure never get tired of looking at it, and you will always get people looking twice. the Choke lever is hard to push down all the way: it will give a false feeling of being all the way down but you can push a little harder and it will go farther down to full Choke. Fstsix.

[Mike M in ohio]

Thanks guys. I will check that in the morning, though that thought had hit me and I was giving some extra downward pressure and it didn't move any more. But I'll try again and see if more effort results in a bit more movement.   Mike

[Disco]

Welcome, Mike!

My bike was 8 years old when I got it in the summer of '07.  My choke lever didn't move to its limit until I opened the left switch housing and applied a generous coating of white lithium grease.  I was amazed at how much farther it moved from what I had thought was its limit. 

[john]

and don't leave the choke very long ...    ???
get it to purrr and choke off ...   
unless you like blue header pipes .....   

[Baldwin]

You may want to pull off the cover and observe the choke cable moving.  I thought my cable was broken until I pulled the cover off and figured out that I wasn't pressing it down hard enough.

[roboto65]

I do not use it much but mine does the same thing and yep my choke is fully down just like your she will start then run for like 5 seconds then burble down and shut off until I add a little fuel but runs fine somewhat after that. I need to check my smog stuff mine is not idling right after she gets warmed up though !!!   Welcome and enjoy your lady 

[Thunderbolt]

The choke on these bikes is really not a choke in the traditional sense.  What you are doing when you push the lever is pulling a cable that opens 6 enrichener valves, one on each carb.  Take one side's choke mechanism cover off.  It is just below the three round carb tops, and is held on by three screws.  Then you can watch the action as you press the lever and make sure they all are opening.  You might need to take both sides off to make sure.

[Sodbuster]

Welcome, Mike!

My bike was 8 years old when I got it in the summer of '07.  My choke lever didn't move to its limit until I opened the left switch housing and applied a generous coating of white lithium grease.  I was amazed at how much farther it moved from what I had thought was its limit.  

+1 on the lube job .... it does make a BIG difference

[valkyriemc]

You'll really like the bike. Take a look at these pages;

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Known%20Valkyrie%20Problems.htm

I would ask the previous owner if he performed any rearend maintenance, specifically this:  "#6  Final Drive Spline Lubrication"

[Ronnie Reeves]

Well you now have one of the best ever made. I have been ridding for 55yrs. had many bikes including several Goldwings. I am now on my 5th. Valkyrie and am just not happy without one . I put 307k on one and never did a thing other than 2 sets of timming belts and 3 sets of alt. brushes, and general maint.  Honda sure screwed up by droping them and going after Harley with the VTX. Now they are eating the VTX's. There comming out with a choper version of the VTX trying to get rid of them .

[Mike M in ohio]

Once again, thanks all, for your help. I'll be bundling up today to go out in the barn and check all that you suggested. If one or all work, I'll report back on my success. (see how hopeful I am?) Happy Holidays and Merry Christman to all.    Mike in N.Y.

[Mike M in ohio]

Just to let my tech support members know: The lube job worked. The lever, tho still stiff, now goes about 1/2 inch furthur, and the bike fires and stays running with the choke. So THANKS MUCH and happy holidays to all!    Mike

[forestb]

Re: "Make sure you have it fully engage with the choke. Everyone makes this mistake. Once you get resistance, go some more till it stops."

That line made me chuckle.  I struggled like crazy trying to get my bike started the first couple mornings I had it... until I read on this message board about the need to push it past the point of resistance!  It always starts like a charm now.    

Cheers,
Ben

[fudgie]

Re: "Make sure you have it fully engage with the choke. Everyone makes this mistake. Once you get resistance, go some more till it stops."

That line made me chuckle.  I struggled like crazy trying to get my bike started the first couple mornings I had it... until I read on this message board about the need to push it past the point of resistance!  It always starts like a charm now.    

Cheers,
Ben

I know I have made this mistake before I found the board. Took it back to the dealer and said it won't start!

[skromfols]

We all seem to have that problem.  I bought my Valkyrie (used) during the summer and had no trouble starting it until the weather got cold and was really disappointed when I found it so darn hard to start.  I did a search on this forum and found the magic formula just like everyone else. 

I really love this bike.  I had a new Harley Road Glide that I tried hard to love, but after 2 years finally had to admit that it just wasn't what I wanted/needed.  Then I found the Valkyrie and have been smiling ever since.

[Fathertime]

  Mike,
  Sorry to hear that the lady is not working well for you.  Dont let it get you down, sounds like a choke engagement issue to me also.  Not pushing down far enough is a common mistake for all of us.  We all do want to know how that works out for you


  Father Time
     AKA
  Rich- - The Guy from Lake George

 

[sheets]

. . . your thoughts on the Yamaha Royal Star Venture.  I was struggling with the choice between Valk vs. Venture back in the day.  After ten years, I'm completely smitten with the Valk.  Still like the looks of the Venture (not so much the fairing).  When comes time to update, I'll be looking at the Venture again if it's still available. Unless Honda has something besides the VTX, Fury and GoldWing, I'm looking at the Venture or BMW.  Maybe a sport tourer like the ST1300 or Concourse (sp?).  Maybe even a Moto Guzzi cruiser (saw a retro style cruiser at a dealer in Houston a couple years ago).

Comments please . . .   

sheets
<2dawind@surfglobal.net>

[Dudlydoright]

This thread sure takes me down memory lane.  Got my 2000 Interstate off eBay when I lived in Florida back in 2001.  Dealer in Miami personally trailered it over to my house in Tampa.  He started it up for me and I rode it up and down my street after a 20 plus year abstinence from riding.  I was in my 50's at the time and was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane from the thrill and adrenaline.  Anyway, the dealer left and the next day when the engine was cold it wouldn't start, least not easily, and I think that was when I first learned about the Valkyrie Cruiser Club and from there how to start a Valk and much more.....a belated "thanks" to the members.  I got an inch more travel from my choke once I knew the secret.  Wonderful machine for 8 years and some 20K miles but now I ride a 2009 Ultra Classic with about $5000 plus in upgrades like a 103 CI with cams and Scream'n Eagle stuff to make it almost as fast as a Valk.

VR       

[Oss]

where in NY mike   we have lots of members

I am in Ossining

Glad you figured the choke out

[dipstick]

Welcome aboard one of the best motorcycles EVER built. I always blip the throttle a little bit after mine fires or it will stall as you indicate.