John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« on: March 30, 2020, 04:59:07 PM » |
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The gaskets I ordered don't fit the hole for the headers. The difference in diameter is probably the thickness of a sheet of paper but won't push down into the hole if I try pressing them in place by installing the header and pulling it up with the nuts. This bike has been fighting me for the last few weeks, the big thing I wanted was to install was the trailer hitch. I've worked with that six ways from sunday to no avail. Get one thing in place, bolt(s) in place but not tightened, something else doesn't line up. I've gone back and forth on it for the last time today and simply walked away from it, I plan to pull the entire thing off tomorrow....not worth the battle anymore. This also means the one-wheel trailer project is going to be set aside, mainly because I don't want to spend any additional $$ on that.
My SIL just called and has offered to help out this week and has talked me into waiting on removing the hitch. OK....one more chance, if it fails then out it comes.
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Foozle
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« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2020, 05:27:26 PM » |
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03-30
John:
If the fit is that close, have you tried gently cleaning out the inside of the exhaust ports with a small, rounded brass brush on the end of a dremel? Or maybe even just a q-tip soaked in carb cleaner?
I use this same setup for cleaning the brake caliper insets that hold the rubber gaskets - which also won't fit properly if there's even a little residue or gunk remaining.
I also have Viking pipes, but installed them using OEM copper crush gaskets. I've since purchased the fiber versions (which Viking recommends), but don't really see (or rather, hear) any need to switch them out. I'll probably just wait until I feel compelled to remove the exhaust for some other reason.
I'm sure you've already thought of all this; just trying to be helpful.
Terry
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Sorcerer
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« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2020, 05:35:02 PM » |
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What brand hitch are you trying to install.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2020, 07:01:40 PM » |
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Foozle, I did try using some steel wool to clean out the lips where the gasket fits, didn't seem to help much but didn't really spen much time at it. Might try the Dremel tomorrow, sure would like to get something accomplished on the bike by the time it's riding weather up here. It's in the low 40's mostly but for me still uncomfortable. Ya think age might have something to do with it?  Re. the brand of hitch, not certain but have been told it's a Hitchdoc. Has two large boomerangs on the side with the receiver as a third piece. Bolts to the fender rail bolts. |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2020, 07:44:54 PM » |
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Foozle, I did try using some steel wool to clean out the lips where the gasket fits, didn't seem to help much but didn't really spen much time at it. Might try the Dremel tomorrow, sure would like to get something accomplished on the bike by the time it's riding weather up here. It's in the low 40's mostly but for me still uncomfortable. Ya think age might have something to do with it? Re. the brand of hitch, not certain but have been told it's a Hitchdoc. Has two large boomerangs on the side with the receiver as a third piece. Bolts to the fender rail bolts. John, those hitches are a pain to install. You might have already tried this, but if not, try installing just the forward bolt on one side, then the forward bolt on the other side. Then come back to the rear bolts. You need about 8 hands at once, but it's doable. |
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Sorcerer
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« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2020, 08:31:56 PM » |
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Ya the Hitch Dock was/ is a pain in the arsk to install. When I installed one on my 98 back in 2000 I fought with it. The instructions were hard to decipher which boomerang was the left and right. As said above ONE fender bolt at a time or you’ll really be cussing yourself out. Mine started out with after market bags then a few years later I put the Honda line bags on, even more cussing with that endeavor. As I remember getting that cross part of the hitch aligned with the boomerangs required a bit of force. A bar clamp may be in your future.
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Dusty
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« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2020, 05:52:02 AM » |
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I have found on the fender bolts that I ground a tapered end on the first couple of threads and when you push on the socket ratchet and turn the bolts they tend to make all the pieces they go through to line up.  Dusty |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2020, 12:35:16 PM » |
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Today I'm going to loosen up everything and see how it goes. Only thing lacking at this point is the center cross piece for the bag guard rails. Slip it on one side and the other lacks 3/8" from going on. Reverse it, makes no difference, neither support will move enough. I have the boomerangs hung and center recv'r in place, done in such a way the bags hang nice and straight without sticking way out in back. But putting that last center piece in has been my undoing....so far.  |
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old2soon
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« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2020, 02:32:50 PM » |
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Today I'm going to loosen up everything and see how it goes. Only thing lacking at this point is the center cross piece for the bag guard rails. Slip it on one side and the other lacks 3/8" from going on. Reverse it, makes no difference, neither support will move enough. I have the boomerangs hung and center recv'r in place, done in such a way the bags hang nice and straight without sticking way out in back. But putting that last center piece in has been my undoing....so far. Git mad at the cursed thing!  Dragline in Cool Hand Luke.  I KNOW_NO help atall!  RIDE SAFE |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2020, 09:11:46 PM » |
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Well....this afternoon my SIL dropped by...all 6'5" of him. We chatted about a couple things, one being how I was going to try and be debt free by month's end by moving some $$ around. He had some good suggestions re. all that, then asked about the hitch and the problems I was having so off to the garage we went. I showed him how the guard rail center piece would slip over one side but I couldn't pull the rails far enough apart to engage the other end. Told him I was going to get my ratchet wrench & socket to loosen a couple things while he sat on my little stool looking at it. I hadn't gone 10ft when he simply said "don't bother, I got it." Sure enough, it was in place so all I have to do is attach the clips that hold it to the bag mounts under the fender. I asked where the heck was he a week ago, both had a good chuckle. He's a big guy, still athletic looking, we get along great and I tell my daughter Toni she's a lucky gal. She knows it. Now on to the exhaust tomorrow. If I don't get them installed by the weekend he's coming by to lend a hand....I just might wait until Saturday. |
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2020, 10:38:28 PM » |
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John I have the Vikings as well. I used the stock Honda crush gaskets with no problem. The only problem I had was the fitting of the mufflers to the headers. Doesn't seal completely,slight leak. They have been on my bike a long time. You're going to love the sound....
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98valk
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« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2020, 03:53:45 AM » |
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John I have the Vikings as well. I used the stock Honda crush gaskets with no problem. The only problem I had was the fitting of the mufflers to the headers. Doesn't seal completely,slight leak. They have been on my bike a long time. You're going to love the sound....
My Vikings have the same exact leak. So what I did was wrap some aluminum muffler repair tape around the joint and then install the clamp. No Leaks. |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2020, 05:16:09 AM » |
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Today I'm going to loosen up everything and see how it goes. Only thing lacking at this point is the center cross piece for the bag guard rails. Slip it on one side and the other lacks 3/8" from going on. Reverse it, makes no difference, neither support will move enough. I have the boomerangs hung and center recv'r in place, done in such a way the bags hang nice and straight without sticking way out in back. But putting that last center piece in has been my undoing....so far. I ran into the same issue with the center piece, I used a ratchet strap to pull the bag brackets together to slip the center piece in. I avoid taking the bag mounts/trailer hitch off like the corona virus. |
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 Troy, MI |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2020, 11:53:21 AM » |
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John I have the Vikings as well. I used the stock Honda crush gaskets with no problem. The only problem I had was the fitting of the mufflers to the headers. Doesn't seal completely,slight leak. They have been on my bike a long time. You're going to love the sound....
My Vikings have the same exact leak. So what I did was wrap some aluminum muffler repair tape around the joint and then install the clamp. No Leaks. Good advice, just curious...did any of you guys mount the headers first, loosely, then the muffler? Seems that's the only way you could easily get the headers and muffler to align. |
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98valk
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« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2020, 12:19:06 PM » |
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John I have the Vikings as well. I used the stock Honda crush gaskets with no problem. The only problem I had was the fitting of the mufflers to the headers. Doesn't seal completely,slight leak. They have been on my bike a long time. You're going to love the sound....
My Vikings have the same exact leak. So what I did was wrap some aluminum muffler repair tape around the joint and then install the clamp. No Leaks. Good advice, just curious...did any of you guys mount the headers first, loosely, then the muffler? Seems that's the only way you could easily get the headers and muffler to align. yes. instructions I sent you state to tighten header head bolts last.  |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #15 on: April 01, 2020, 04:44:26 PM » |
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Thanks for the reminder. I read them but it wasn't recently....old timer's disease. Meant to add...I pulled the hitch off this afternoon. After the fussing and fighting with it, and my SIL getting the rail center piece in place, I realized I still had a problem. The right side guard rail rubs on the outside of the bag and no adjustment of spacers width or anything else I tried would remedy the situation so off it came. I'm done messing with it, it's been a PITA since day one so now it's going to get a for sale sign on it. Frankly, I fought with this thing longer than just about any other project I can recall in the last 20 or so years. Normally my approach is I'll give it a good try numerous times, then finally if I see no end in sight it goes in the trash, I walk away and don't look back. I've done that all my life but this is the first time I stuck with it off & on for over a month. Now I'm done. I have $150 invested in it in case anyone is interested. |
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« Last Edit: April 01, 2020, 04:55:40 PM by John Schmidt »
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OnaWingandaPrayer
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« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2020, 06:14:51 PM » |
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For the crush gaskets,once the port area is clean you might lightly tap the gasket into place using a socket the same diameter as the gasket.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #17 on: April 01, 2020, 09:21:45 PM » |
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For the crush gaskets,once the port area is clean you might lightly tap the gasket into place using a socket the same diameter as the gasket.
That's kinda my plan. Wondering how all my old Florida buds are doing down there, hope nobody is sick. Also....did you ever get a chance to work on that old FI Wing with the parts you got from me. Often wondered about that. I wanted to take a spin down that way this summer but doesn't seem likely now, maybe things will turn around by late May or early June. |
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1761
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #18 on: April 02, 2020, 07:30:28 AM » |
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For the crush gaskets,once the port area is clean you might lightly tap the gasket into place using a socket the same diameter as the gasket.
I use a little high heat red silicone to help keep in place. I ran into the same issue with the center piece, I used a ratchet strap to pull the bag brackets together to slip the center piece in. I avoid taking the bag mounts/trailer hitch off like the corona virus.
Use of ratchet straps, spot on! I have used them alot for the "extra hand". |
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« Last Edit: April 02, 2020, 07:35:57 AM by h13man »
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #19 on: April 02, 2020, 11:12:49 AM » |
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For the crush gaskets,once the port area is clean you might lightly tap the gasket into place using a socket the same diameter as the gasket.
I use a little high heat red silicone to help keep in place. I ran into the same issue with the center piece, I used a ratchet strap to pull the bag brackets together to slip the center piece in. I avoid taking the bag mounts/trailer hitch off like the corona virus.
Use of ratchet straps, spot on! I have used them alot for the "extra hand". It was the center piece for the bag guard rails, not the one for the bag mounts. Already used a strap there but the guard rail center needed the sides to be spread about 3/8". No longer an issue, I removed the hitch....never to be used on my bike, too much trouble. |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #20 on: April 02, 2020, 11:20:47 AM » |
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For the crush gaskets,once the port area is clean you might lightly tap the gasket into place using a socket the same diameter as the gasket.
I use a little high heat red silicone to help keep in place. I ran into the same issue with the center piece, I used a ratchet strap to pull the bag brackets together to slip the center piece in. I avoid taking the bag mounts/trailer hitch off like the corona virus.
Use of ratchet straps, spot on! I have used them alot for the "extra hand". It was the center piece for the bag guard rails, not the one for the bag mounts. Already used a strap there but the guard rail center needed the sides to be spread about 3/8". No longer an issue, I removed the hitch....never to be used on my bike, too much trouble. John, I bet there would be some willing members to install it in Asheville. |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15224
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #21 on: April 02, 2020, 01:07:59 PM » |
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Rob, if I don't sell it before then, I might bring it along so someone can buy it. I'm done messing with it. If my bike didn't have saddlebags and guard rails it would have been a snap.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #22 on: April 02, 2020, 02:58:48 PM » |
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Rob, if I don't sell it before then, I might bring it along so someone can buy it. I'm done messing with it. If my bike didn't have saddlebags and guard rails it would have been a snap.
John, I also have the bag rails. It takes some finagling, but it’s doable. Mine were rubbing the bags until I put a spacer up at the shock mount. I’ll try to get some pics. (It will never be a snap though  ) |
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OnaWingandaPrayer
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« Reply #23 on: April 02, 2020, 07:40:47 PM » |
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Hey John. Doing well here for the moment. I am still working though my wife has retired. At work they have moved quite a few folks to working at home. Other have been shifted around to space us out better. My generator work is generally one person to a truck and one at a job , not much around other folks. Tomorrow they will start taking out temp each morning . I guess 100* is the magic nuber to send you home.
The FI 1200 is in my shed . Not getting a lot of attention yet. I have about 20 months till retirement then I can get to my projects.
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