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SonicWeaver
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« on: January 18, 2021, 07:06:22 PM » |
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Took my '99 IS in to Rebel Racing (Temecula, CA) for a shock oil change & alignment and rear oil change & spline lube.
Went for the a drive the next day and noticed a "crunching" sound when the shocks were rebounding from a stop and when turning the wheel while stopped. Checked the triple tree bolts and low and behold the top tree bolt on the left side was completely loose (backed out 2 full turns) and one of the lower tree bolts on the same side was not torqued down tight. Tightened them down and the crunching sound went away.
Pretty pissed that the tech forgot something so critical and feel lucky that the front end didn't come apart on my ride. Minimally I am guessing the front end needs to be re-aligned?
They've also given me an irritating new squeak that's coming from the front end when slowing down and taking off at slow speed that goes away when applying the brakes. Any ideas what could be causing this?
Wondering how good a job they did on the rear-end.
Can anyone recommend a good mechanic the Fallbrook, CA area?
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2021, 07:49:46 PM » |
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Yes. I recommend you. This stuff is not hard to learn. And you will know it’s done right
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Valker
Member
Posts: 2995
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2021, 08:20:18 PM » |
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The front end squeak sounds like either they didn't get the front axle completely flush with the fork or they didn't follow the proper tightening sequence for the front bolts and the required 'bounce' part.
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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sandy
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« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2021, 09:07:17 PM » |
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There’s no need to change the fork oil unless you’re rebuilding the forks. If this shop made that many mistakes, I’d take it back and have them redo the whole fork setup. Make sure they know these mistakes could have cost your life.
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SonicWeaver
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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2021, 11:52:52 PM » |
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@Chrisj CMA - For the most part I agree. I'm do all my own auto/truck work and just did an oil change, shifter shaft seal and rear brakes. The suspension seemed pretty stiff (felt every little bump) and I wasn't sure what the problem was. Ironically I didn't want to make a critical mistake and mess anything up so decided to take it to a pro who said their tech had decades of experience with older bikes. Live and learn!
@Valker - That makes sense and I would think a re-align will fix it.
@sandy - To be fair I had a minor fork oil leak a while back due to a dirty seal that I cleaned out with homemade Seal Mate tool. Figured my left fork oil might be low which might have caused the stiff ride described above. I was considering having the shop put in progressive springs (which I don't have the special tools or expertise to do) but they suggested the fork oil change first.
On the way home from picking up the bike I was on a freeway entrance ramp after dark and was accelerating to speed when the left hand mirror suddenly flipped down. I flipped it back up and found it was covered with greasy hand prints and could barely see through them to check for traffic. I had to pull over to wipe it off. Noticed the squeak when I exited the freeway. The next day I found more greasy hand prints on the bike. Had a bad vibe about the service and thought "WTF if they didn't get the little things right how can I be sure the did the big stuff right?".
At this point I'm very leary of letting them touch it again. I'd really like to find someone that knows these bikes and can go over the work they did.
FWIW - They said they changed the fork oil, aligned the front-end, changed the rear oil and lubed the spline, checked over the entire bike including the bearings and took it for a test drive...$535. Just curious if that's reasonable?
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« Last Edit: January 19, 2021, 12:00:21 AM by SonicWeaver »
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2021, 05:48:53 AM » |
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Well the issue in my mind would be, did they service the drive shaft and pinion cup and did they assemble the rear ended properly. Even with fresh grease on the drive splines they will wear out prematurely if not aligned properly
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BigSherm
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« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2021, 09:41:38 AM » |
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They said they changed the fork oil, aligned the front-end, changed the rear oil and lubed the spline, checked over the entire bike including the bearings and took it for a test drive...$535. Just curious if that's reasonable?
I would say that is absolutely too much money. What do they say is included in a front end alignment? To me, it sounds like they’re ripping you off. Scott |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2021, 10:41:11 AM » |
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They said they changed the fork oil, aligned the front-end, changed the rear oil and lubed the spline, checked over the entire bike including the bearings and took it for a test drive...$535. Just curious if that's reasonable?
I would say that is absolutely too much money. What do they say is included in a front end alignment? To me, it sounds like they’re ripping you off. Scott ditto. After finding the triple tree still loose, I would everything on the bike. Did they remove the rear wheel when doing the gear oil change ? If so, you want to make sure it was done right. One of our members near you is a very good Valkyrie mechanic. But he has had back surgeries, and not doing it any more. |
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indybobm
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« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2021, 01:39:48 PM » |
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I would not have any confidence in their work. My BIG concern would be did they put the Thrust Washer between the Rear Wheel and Drive Flange.
Missing that $6 part will ruin the Final Drive, Drive Flange, and Rear Wheel. Expensive repair.
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So many roads, so little time
VRCC # 5258
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Mooskee
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« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2021, 02:32:23 PM » |
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One of our members near you is a very good Valkyrie mechanic. But he has had back surgeries, and not doing it any more. Maybe he would be willing to come over and talk you through the processes. |
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SonicWeaver
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« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2021, 07:22:29 PM » |
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Talked with the manager. Said the TT bolt must have come loose. He didn't argue when I said that's not possible if it was torqued properly. Good and bad is they did not lube the spline or take the rear wheel off so I don't have to worry that they screwed that up. They only changed the final drive oil. I'm baffled by this because when I asked what type of grease they would use to do the lube and how much Moly it contained he said we have all the different greases and will put in what Honda recommends. He said he doesn't recall talking about grease and to him a lube is changing the oil. Asked why I was charged 1.5 hours to do a rear end oil change and was told that's what the software said it would take. He apologized for the greasy handprints and said they didn't have time to wipe it down because I came in at the end of the day even though it was done an hour before they closed. He said they didn't touch the mirror and that it must have just come loose. There was an moment of awkward silence when I him to explain how the handprints got on the mirror without anyone touching it. There was more discussion and some raised voice drama but the bottom line is he asked what I wanted. I asked for a refund for what it will cost to take the bike to a dealer and have them go over the work they did and align the front end. He wasn't happy but said to get and estimate and let him know. I'm going to try the alignment myself. Couldn't find the procedure in the Clymer manual and can't find an alignment thread on the forum. What do you think about this one...is it the same procedure to use on the Valk? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNEmOqY02EU&t=67sReally appreciate the advice an links guys! |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16772
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2021, 07:37:40 PM » |
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You can get a PDF of the Factory Service manual here: http://valkyrienorway.com/download.htmlWhat is "alignment" anywho?  There's a procedure (in the manual) for tightening one side of the axle, bouncing the bike some and then tightening the other side. That maybe? -Mike |
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Mooskee
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« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2021, 03:36:59 PM » |
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Here's is my understanding of a fork alignment. I am a noob to the bike...does it not apply to Valk? The video you posted has some of the right idea, but the Valk is a bit different. Download that manual you were sent the link for. On pages 13-13 through 13-15, it describes installing the front wheel and explains bouncing the forks to get everything aligned. You need to pay close attention to the brake caliper and disc alignment during the procedure. Make sure the disk is not dragging on the caliper assembly. It is all pretty easy. You will be fine if you follow the instructions. |
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« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2021, 07:38:00 PM » |
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Do make sure you tap in the front axle otherwise you will hear a click click click form the speedo drive. Then you have to go through the whole process again. A rubber mallet is useful to give the axle a couple of taps. |
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SonicWeaver
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« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2021, 01:26:51 AM » |
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I downloaded the manual and will follow the instructions...it does look pretty easy. After my talk with the manager and tech last night and a certified Honda tech and a service manager at another Honda certified shop today I'm convinced that Rebel Racing either has little to no experience working on our bikes and/or they are blatantly trying to rip me off. I am going to dispute the entire charge with my CC company tomorrow. Charged $150 (1.5 hrs @ $90 per + oil) for a rear end oil change that the Honda shop said would take 20 minutes and cost $35. Both the other shop and tech told me to do a proper shock oil drain the shocks had to be completely broken down. They highly recommended that if I was going that far I really should replace the seals because it only adds the cost of the seals and would take no more time or labor cost. This wasn't suggested to me by Rebel Racing and I now highly doubt that they took the shocks apart. My guess is that they probably just turned them upside down and refilled. The manager assured me their tech had decades of experience working on older bikes and that my girl would be in good hands. I should'a know better when he kept calling me "Boss".  Unfortunately I now know what my wife felt like after a shady transmission shop repair. This experience and the group's suggestions has schooled me good...thanks! |
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yrunvs
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« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2021, 03:18:44 AM » |
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Yea my son and I had an experience like this at our local shop. Just think shops across the country are probably doing this everyday all day long.
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I'm no gynecologist but hey I'll take a look!
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CoachDoc
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« Reply #18 on: February 05, 2021, 01:13:34 AM » |
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Best Valk mechanic in North County would be Herm at Escondido Cycle Center. He’s a Valk and Gold Wing guru and a very dependable guy. I do almost all my own work but I’ve used him for more involved or elusive issues and he has never failed me. Prices moderately high, not bad for this day and age.
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CoachDoc
'97 Valkyrie Standard
'05 Goldwing
'74 CB550K
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SunshineNomad
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« Reply #19 on: February 05, 2021, 01:28:51 PM » |
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Absolutely too much for rear hub oil change. That’s a 20 minute job at best and $5 worth of fluid.
I bet that they didn’t take anything apart and just drained the old fluid and put fresh in. I would seriously question anything they supposedly did.
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"Keep thy eye on the tach, thine ears on the engine.
Lest thy whirlybits seek communion with the sun"
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SonicWeaver
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« Reply #20 on: February 07, 2021, 12:20:14 AM » |
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@coachdoc I called them and got good vibes from the service manager. Going to take it in for a spline lube soon. Thanks!
Escondido Cycle Center quoted $35 for the rear oil change and said it was a 20 minute job.
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rug_burn
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« Reply #21 on: February 09, 2021, 09:29:04 AM » |
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Yeah, you deal with stuff like that long enough, and you'll neveer let anyone do work for you again... I have a similar situation going on with a guy building a fence in my side yard...
But I would tell the guy (shop owner) all that you told us. Don't get mad, just let him know that the work was not satisfactory. At all. Stuff happens sometimes, but it sounds like the guy never finished the job.
And I'd agree with some of the other guys, that maybe you might want to loosen the four bolts holding on the pumpkin, and the rear axle, and tighten them all in the right order, at the very least.
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...insert hip saying here..
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