My Valkyrie seems to hate me!!

[Tx Bohemian]

I was all excited when I bought this thing in October. 
A '99 Standard w/ 17K miles, needing some TLC.  It seemed to run very good then.

2 days after getting it home and me working on the lights it wouldn't start.  Cranked over like crazy but wouldn't fire up.  Turned out to be a low battery, which it's looking like I need a new one cause this happens ever so often unless I constantly have it on a tender.

About a thousand miles later I hear a clicking noise in the rear and during my search found out I have a ruined rear differential.  The wave washer gave up and ground out the internals - I ask, how many times have this happened???  to anyone??

After over $250 of diagnosis and another rear diff i still have the clicking noise!!

Now the latest!!!
I washed it for the first time and now it doesn't run worth a dog!!!

It needed washing and an oil change so I push it out of the shop, washed it (and it looks good, even with the flaking chrome), then hopped on it to ride it around a few blocks to get it warm. 
Almost didn't make it to the stop sign at the end of the street!!  It was spitting, sputtering and backfiring! I kept it running, babying it to go around a few blocks thinking something got wet and hopfully will dry itself off!  It did straighten up a little by the time I got home to change the oil.  Checked it over to make sure I didn't accidently knock something off during the washing but it all looked good.
A couple of days later the wife and I hopped on it to take a quick ride around the neighborhood (still wasn't running up to par).  It seems like it is stuggling to keep a steady speed.  It idles good and when you give it gas it does good but it surges at a steady speed in any gear. 
Had to stop at a neighbors house and I thought I was going to have to push this thing home cause it almost didn't start up!!

I bought this thing thinking this is a heck of a good/smooth cruiser for the wife and I to take w/e - vacation trips. 

Shoot!! I'm scared to even go around the block cause these things are not the easist to push is I had to push it home!!

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Sorry for your problems. It is a great cruiser when it is maintained properly, but like anything, if not maintained you can't expect it to run properly. Sounds like you got one that wasn't cared for properly. I'm no expert, but would think a good place to start would be vaccuum lines. (perhaps replace all) and see if it makes a difference. Dave

[..]

Make sure the little hole in the gas cap isn't blocked. This can cut down on the amount of gas being sucked into the carbs.

Take it for a run as soon as it starts to sputter. Stop. Open and close the gas cap and then see if it runs better.

[R J]

After hose replacement, put a can of SeaFoam in the tank, struggle around the block with it so as to get a mixture in the carbs, let it set over night, then take it out and run the snot out of it.  You know, "ride it like ya stole it", for that tank.

It should start to clear up, run that tank out, add a 1/2 can of SeaFoam to the next tank.  If that doesn't clear it up completly, plan on pulling the carbs and going through them........

Once you got her cleaned up and if you know she is going to be setting any length of time, be sure and add some SeaFoam before ya park it.....

[Slammer]

there isn't water trapped in there. If the little holes in the bottom are plugged with trash it might be dead shorting a cylinder.


Slammer

[Oss]

also maybe the air filter is clogged up and the dragon drool needs to be drained from the line.

The little hose stickin down under the bike with the clamp.  slide the clamp up and remove the cap and let the drool drain out. then replace cap and clamp

[Blister]

 I finally got around to cleaning my air cleaner the other day after my petcock diaphram took a dump on me. Found the front of the top hadn't been seated all the way down showing mud caked on the front half of the filter. Understood how this could of happened as there wasn't that much room to work in there. I thought the thing ran good before. New rebuild for the petcock, clean air cleaner. HOLY CRAP!! you'd better be holding on when you crank that throttle. Love the sound of it sucking air. Don't give up I haven't put that many miles on mine but have had alot of scoots over the years from Royal Enfield, Beezer,Sporter,Magna,Triump, and oh yeah don't forget the 850 Norton that would rattle you to death during a days ride. Sorry off the subject but when you get the bugs worked out you'll be a lifer like me. Good Luck

[Tx Bohemian]

also maybe the air filter is clogged up and the dragon drool needs to be drained from the line.

The little hose stickin down under the bike with the clamp.  slide the clamp up and remove the cap and let the drool drain out. then replace cap and clamp

I drained this stuff when I changed the oil.  It was only about 1/2" up the hose.  I guess this isn't alot.

there isn't water trapped in there. If the little holes in the bottom are plugged with trash it might be dead shorting a cylinder.

Yeah, I was thinking this too but you'd think after a couple of days it should've dried up.

Sorry off the subject but when you get the bugs worked out you'll be a lifer like me.

Man, I can't wait for that to happen!!

I'm thinking about taking it to a buddy who is an old Honda mechanic and is good and been resonable on his prices.

Right now I got a daughter in the hospital about to give birth to my second grandchild and a wife going on a religious w/e that I'm helping her prepare for so I'm very limited on free time now. 
But I'd sure like to have a reliable bike to hop on and go for a ride when things get too pressured!!

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Sent you a PM   

[sugerbear]

and check your voltages engine off and running. sounds like an alternator problem too.

sorry.

[bludragon]

DIRT OR SOME RUST SETTING IN THE GAZ LINE?

[sandy]

It sounded like you washed it at a pressure washer place. If so: don't ever do this to a MC. The pressure forces water into places that will short out components. Use a spray hose and hand wash only.

[big turkey]

1st The rear wheel bearing on the shifter side is shot.

2nd You have water in the gas, lucas or chem tool will do the trick.

3rd Spray WD 40 on all electrcal connections and that should displace the water around and in your

electrical system.

Try the easy things first.

The fuel diaphragm should be your next culprit , these things always give trouble sooner or later on the Valk.

And does it have gas in it and is the petcock turned to on.

sling blade	powered by Aeva

[Tx Bohemian]

Sent you a PM   

Sent you a reply back (I hope).

Clicked on the "send reply here" address.

[big turkey]

Is the choke or enrichener still in the down position?

Could be a loose nut on the ratchet crammer.

Al

[roboto65]

AIN'Tgot no Gas in it 

[Spirited-6]

TX, stay off the public roads until you get problems "fixed". A HD rider might see you ! They don`t need any fuel for their tanks.      .
Poking fun at a guy that is having issues is not nice, but who ever said I was nice.
Hoping you get all well soon. 
 

[Tx Bohemian]

Is the choke or enrichener still in the down position?

Could be a loose nut on the ratchet crammer.

Al

AIN'Tgot no Gas in it     

TX, stay off the public roads until you get problems "fixed". A HD rider might see you ! They don`t need any fuel for their tanks.      .
Poking fun at a guy that is having issues is not nice, but who ever said I was nice.
Hoping you get all well soon. 

HAHAHAHA -- You guys are funny!!  In my best Pee-Wee Herman imitation: "that's so funny I forgot to laugh!!!"

Just read the post about the B12 stuff which I've had good luck with in the past.  And the description of the problem sounds almost exactly what I'm experiencing.  May give that a whirl when I can find the time.

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Got your reply and sent on back one my location ! Near 288 and 6. Manvel     Became this !