Idiot Lights

[oldtimer]

I know this has probably been discussed many times before but my overheat light is flickering on and off. The radiator if full, the reservoir is at the line it should be, and the radiator cap seems to be tight and I have "bent" the tabs for a better seal. I ran the valk for a few minutes to verify the fan is coming on and it is. I have at times smelled  anti-freeze but  when I check the reservoir it is full (or at the line it is suppose to be). Because of this I feel as though I probably need a new sensor for the high temp light. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance....

[Black Dog]

I was able to find a discussion thread from early last year, when I was having the same problem.  Follow the link to the Tech archive, and read the reply from RP. 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/tech_archive.cgi?noframes;read=1261526

In it, he pointed out the part you need to fix the 'false' over heating issue.  I say false, because I checked my temp, against another Valk (using one of those temp guns).  Both bikes were very close in temp, but mine would flicker, and go hot, way below the temp it should have turned on.

Black Dog

[dreamaker]

I would suggest if you are going to replace the sensor I would also add a sensor and get a temp gauges.  I have full gauges on my Valk. and I love it, I know whats going on down under. I used AutoMeter gauges which nearly match my stock gauges and they were cheap.  From time to time I also smell antifreeze, but it never has been an issue.

Dan

[oldtimer]

Dreamaker, I have ordered the sensor and the indicator unit. I am going to put guages, (Oil P., Temp) on my Valk. but do the sensors have to have an adapter or will they fit the guages? This is where I am in doubt. Also, I have read of some putting 1/2 inch soacers under their tanks for more air flow. Do you know about this and do you put a spacer in the front and back? I have a miniature lathe and miniature milling machine with some 2" aluminum bar stock and will make me some if they work.

Thanks for your information....oldtimer

[ricoman]

good stuff from dreamaker
Is there a post anywhere here giving some info on installing a temp (and other) gauges?

[MAD6Gun]

I installed a set of gauges that were made by Cruisin Dave years ago. They usually have to take adapters because most of the guage kits have Standard fitting and the Valk is metric. The oil pressure sender goes in tee with the idiot light switch located on the bottom of right side of the engine. The only problem with this is the seding unit is rather big and looks like crap hanging under the engine not to mention could get broken off if you hit anything. I had a line made to move the sender from the normal stop to the other side tucked in behind the engine crash bar. Now for the coolant temp sender. Dave included in his kit a pipe that goes into the upper radiator hose. Nice clean idea but this year I decided to move the sender to the engine block. Motosens uses this mounting place. You will need two adapters to make this work. The first one replaces one of the block plugs in the head,got this one from Motosens. The second goes into the first and gives you the size needed for the sensor. I don't remember the sizes off of the top of my head but I can post them later. Here is Motosens site........http://www.motosens.com/usa/f6c_e.htm

If you have any question on how I did this. Drop me a line.

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

One more thing to check, My over flow hose to the reservoir was kinked. The level then didn't change! For me every time it should have drain in to the over flow, it dibbled down from my Radiator cap. Very small leak I didn't see, till my radiator was half empty. Be sure the Rad is actually full! 

[dreamaker]

What I did is replace the idiot light sensor with the temp gauge sensor.  I don't know if it applies to the Valk. but from my experence with alum. auto engins when the idiot light comes on its to late. Generally a warped head in some cases. So I like gauges for the function not the looks only. You can go to AutoMeter web site and find the best match for the white or the black. Mine are the arttic white street rod. You can also get the bullet cups from them and the gauges come with the sensors. Also if you get the oil gauge make sure you get the 100 lb because when my bike starts it goes to 75 lbs then drops when it warms up. I have two pics of my setup, when I had the windshield and now with the fairing so you can get an idea. Hope this helps !!!

Dan

http://www.autometer.com/