New member, possible problems

[lucky_1_chris]

I just picked up a '99 Valkyrie I/S this weekend with ~33k miles. I'm sure it's been sitting for a while. It runs ok for the most part, but I think this bike may have some problems. At start up, it blows a little white smoke out of both tailpipes after it's been been running for about 30 seconds, but stops once it's warmed up. I haven't noticed any smoke of any color once it's warmed up, and I haven't seen any smoke behind me while riding. Friends riding behind me have confirmed. The exhaust smells kinda sweet. It doesn't smell like coolant, more like the smell of alcohol cars at a race track or a some 2 stroke motors... I guess it could be coolant, and this possibility is worrying me. A lot.

Under my radiator cap, I'm getting some snow white slime, and there are some hard white scales on the rubber piece on the bottom of the radiator cap. No slime around the overflow tube by the cap, and no slime on, in or around the mouth of the radiator. I immediately assumed this was oil. The slime is slippery, not gritty, but the slime doesn't seem to make water bead, and I've pulled several ounces of coolant from the radiator and reservoir and I can't find any evidence of oil. There is no slime in the reservoir. The coolant is obviously old, smells nasty, and has some debris and what appears to be aluminum flecks floating in it. I'm hoping that this slime on the rad. cap is a result of the old/filthy/mixed wrong type of coolant, but I guess it could be oil and this possibility is worrying me. A lot.

I changed the oil the morning after I brought it home, and there was no coolant in the oil. Oil cap is clean, and so is the dipstick. I've put around 150 miles on the bike since the oil change, and still no evidence of coolant on the cap or dipstick. The coolant level in the radiator and reservoir has not changed. These are both positive signs, but I still can't ignore the symptoms above.


After the bike is warmed up and I hold the throttle at a steady rpm, say 2k, I can hear slight pops in the mufflers. I figure the carbs are kinda gunked up, so I put some Techron in the fuel tank and topped it off. (She's a cold-heared b*tch since adding the Techron ) I stopped by the dealership this morning to let a tech hear and smell the engine running. He dismissed my head gasket concerns, and said that he believes my problems stem from the carbs being gunked up and the condition of the coolant and that it ran well enough that it didn't warrant the expense of putting it in the shop to have the carbs pulled off and gone through. This is a powerhouse dealer, and he said that he had never seen a head gasket go on a gl1500... He believed that the sweet smell was old fuel/gunk in the carbs and that my a lot of my problems would subside with time and tanks of clean fuel. That made me feel a little better, but the guy spent all of 3 minutes with me this morning so I can hardly say that his diagnosis must be correct.

And now the questions... Have any of you ever experienced any of these symptoms? Specifically the sweet smell of the exhaust after sitting for a while, and white slime under the radiator cap. Also, the transmission clunks like hell going in to any gear, 1st through 5th, once it's warmed up. I'm running Mobil-1 4t. It's reduced a little by preloading the shifter and shifting as fast as possible, but still very noticeable. Every bike I've ever ridden clunks in first and second, but all 5? Is this normal? Maybe a thicker oil is in order...? What are you guys running?

After only a couple hundred miles I love this bike. I could do all day on this bike no problem. All worries aside, I really feel like Valk is everything I hoped it would be. I was back and forth between the Valk and the Venture, and I feel like I made the right choice. It handles much better than I expected, and you can't beat the looks of this bike. Coming from a VTX 1300, my wife is especially happy... I'm really looking forward to the miles. I really hope these problems turn out to be on the minor side... I'm eager to get them behind me and being on the other side of posts like these.  

Sorry for the long-winded 1st post.

Chris

[Walküre]

He believed that the sweet smell was old fuel/gunk in the carbs and that my a lot of my problems would subside with time and tanks of clean fuel. That made me feel a little better, but the guy spent all of 3 minutes with me this morning so I can hardly say that his diagnosis must be correct.

Chris - I've spent less than that, with you, but agree with him for the most part - my valk had sat for almost a year when I got it. Almost ALL the same symptoms as yours, without the froth. Can't speak to that, but the carb smell was there, I'm pretty sure from varnish build-up. Ran a little rough for the first 300 miles or so. I DID sync the carbs, and that helped a bit, but running the bike did the most good, of anything. I didn't even put any cleaner in the fuel, although I am getting ready to, for this spring.

No oil anywhere you don't expect it, is good. It COULD be that you are just burning out condensation/varnish/crud, that has occurred in the motor, etc, from sitting a long time, with changes in weather. You might add where you are located, by editing your profile - you'd be surprised how many people might be close to you, and can help with any problems. There's another post here, about condensation in the pipes:

Condensation in pipes

Oh yeah, I had 10,000 miles when I bought it last June - a 2000, and have just under 13,000 on it now. It has sat since early November, through this long Indiana winter.

Welcome aboard! Yeah, you made the right decision! I'm sure there will be other's with opinions, but sounds pretty normal, to me, for a bike that has sat a while. Unless you know the seller, you can't be sure if they put 33K miles on the first year, then it sat, or they put 3,000 miles a year, for 10 years on it. I am a firm believer that the Valk will tell you EXACTLY what she needs, when she needs it...

Oh yeah, we also like pictures....LOT'S of pictures!!

[Chiefy]

Suspect your white smoke on startup is just steam from condensation in the mufflers.    If you put the palm of your hand at the exhaust opening for say 20~30 seconds, you should be able to identify if it's water or chemical coming out.  Oil or antifreeze would feel a little slippery and have an odor.  Condensation typically has no aroma and just looks like plain old water in your palm.

Can't comment much on the coolant, except that it sounds like what most car anti-freeze looks like if it's long overdue to a flush/change.

My carbs were cleaned, and the slow jets replaced.  I still have a small miss/pops under no load (1800-2000 rpms in neutral or cruising on a boulevard.)   Although it's as smooth as glass accelerating.  I think my carbs need a sync.  If you were to go to youtube and watch some Valkyrie videos, you'll find many that do the same thing.  If your slow jets are clogged, the bike will hesitate and stumble when you're going through the low RPM range.  BTW what kind of exhaust are your running?

As far as transmission clunks.  I don't get them except for going into 1st gear.  Can't give any help there.  The Valkyrie is a noisy machine though.  Gears whine at certain speeds.  This might be useful:

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/index.html

Welcome to the board, and congrats on the new bike!

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

White smoke is somewhat normal, moisture in the pipes will stop as soon as in warms up. Your right about being cold natured but also make sure you are getting full choke as the lever gets hard  but usually there is more travel left. Watch the slides on top of the carbs to see if you are getting full choke. Keep treating the carbs and keep riding as the carbs may clean up, if not slow jets are gunked up. Welcome to the nuthouse.

[old2soon]

Welcome aboard-good choice on the ride. You ain't gonna beleive the amount of help here. Don't keep your city and state a secret. Someone already alluded to the fact that help might be only moments away. We gots lotsa people here that know this machine inside out-i ain't one of em. But i r learning. The answers are here-all you have to do is ask-looks like you already did-welcome to the lunacy. RIDE SAFE

[Kaiser]

Many members have corrected the popping exhaust sounds by doing a "desmog".  This is especially pertinent if you have aftermarket pipes.  Everything you need to know about doing a desmog can be found on this site by doing a simple search and spending the next 5 hours of your life reading all the posts.   

Here is something to get you started:

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

(Side note: across the top of this page, there is a link called "Shoptalk".  I HIGHLY recommend you click that link and spend some time reading the posts there.  There is a ton of great information in Shoptalk regarding maintenance and modifications.)

I, too, am still in the learning phase for these bikes.  There are others here that can (and have) taken a Valk down to the the last bolt and put it back together again.  The beauty of owning an older bike like the Valk is that more than likely, somebody has already "been there, done that" and can help you out when you get there.

You are in right place to get answers.  Welcome aboard!

[Black Dog]

My $.02 on the smell...  Living here in the great white north, the Valk must be winterized every fall.  I've tried many different types of fuel stabilizers over the years, but I do remember that when I used good ol' 'Stabil' brand, the exhaust smell upon the first spring start up, was alot like what you are smelling.

Run a tank or two of fresh gas through the beast (add some SeaFoam, or like you tried, Techtron), and see if things don't smooth out and freshen up for ya.

The popping could very well be from a cracked or degraded vacuum hose...  Yer baby is 12 years old now, and those hoses do get brittle with age.  A fix can be done two ways...  Replace all vacuum lines, and then sync the carbs, or do the DeSmog (gets rid of all emissions plumbing), and rid yourself of any future worries for years to come.  Here is a link to the DeSmog procedure, put together by one of our members...

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

There are other ways to do the DeSmog (try a search), but this article will give you an idea of what is involved.

Welcome to this big ol' goofy family 

Black Dog

[Black Dog]

Way to go Kaiser 

Ya just beat me to it!

Black Dog

[Kaiser]

Way to go Kaiser 

Ya just beat me to it!

Black Dog

The fact that someone of your caliber in this community would be in agreement with me gives me warm fuzzies. 

[sugerbear]

yep, a couple tanks with techron, ride it like ya stole it( watch out for the speed awards).
everything SHOULD clear up.

take the advice on the "choke" a lot of new owners make that mistake.

and like was said before tell us where you are and we need pics

[Sigrún]

take the advice on the "choke" a lot of new owners make that mistake.

Ain't that the truth!!

I still remember one crispy morning at Marfa......

Cheers!

Orvo

[lucky_1_chris]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. Hopefully I'll have the time to flush the coolant, swap the plugs, and change the final drive oil this weekend. My main concerns are the possibility of oil in the coolant, the the clunkiness of the trans. It clunks like first and second in every gear. Ill try a heavier oil at next change and see if it helps.

Hope they're nothing to worry about. Everything else is just details. 

I'll get some pics posted this weekend.

Thanks again
Chris

[mick---oz]

I've just bought a 98 tourer, great bike and "yes" the gear changes are -- you could say "agricultural" , depending on how I shift it , sometimes as smooth as silk, next one "CLUNK".
Just get used to it, worry about it if it breaks (though it probably won't), you've already bought it.

[X Ring]

yep, a couple tanks with techron, ride it like ya stole it( watch out for the speed awards).
everything SHOULD clear up.

take the advice on the "choke" a lot of new owners make that mistake.

and like was said before tell us where you are and we need pics

If you are putting a bottle of Techron in your tank to clean out the pilot jets, DO NOT ride it like you stole it.  In fact, don't go above 3,000 rpms.  If you do the needles will lift from the primary jets and you won't be cleaning the pilots.  Go riding and just cruise.  You're riding with a purpose.

Marty 

[Michvalk]

The transmissions on Valks are made with square cut gears to handle the extra power and torque. They klunk in gear changes. Normal, but as you get used to the bike, you will find that you can shift in a way that minimizes the klunk. Probably the smell is from old gasahol and stablizers in the gas. I wouldn't worry until you notice fluids missing.
Flush out the old coolant and put new stuff in, including the rearend, brake, and clutch fluid. Read everything you can in the shoptalk section of this website, and ride!!!

[Bad On 3]

Welcome   i bought a 99 interstate  trike 2 years ago  had a 2002 goldwing that i triked in 2003  you made a great choice --not only they dont make this great machine anymore but it will last you along time ---ride it and run carb cleaner thru it mine sat a year when i got her --ran carb cleane for 2-3 tanks and never had another problem { thank god } if you need to know anythink about your bike this is the place for answers --these guys are great and they know what there talkin about --when the weather warms up i run 20w50 oil in my bike syn. it cuts down on the CLUNKIN when you shift --like someone said sometimes it clunks more than other times --i ride with a guy that has 140000 miles on his valk. and other than timin belts nothing else was done but reg. maint. so enjoy-- change the coolant   check the hoses and replace the ones you need to -- --RIDE SAFE !!

[Grandpa Bigbuck]

Chris you for sure made the right choice.  I had a 2008 Venture and had no intention of getting rid of it when I bought my Valkyrie last summer. After riding the Valk for a week I no longer wanted to ride the Venture.  Venture is gone and love the Valkyrie.   

[Walküre]

Do a search in the forums for coolant. You need to be careful and use a silicate free coolant, as I recall, to keep from damaging your water pump. At least you do on the Goldwings, which I am more familiar with. I haven't had to change/add to mine yet, or I could be more specific, but "search" is your friend - again, someone will pop in with the correct answer...

[John U.]

The guys covered things pretty well. I just have a couple of additions. If the bike will idle with the choke off (once warm) then the slow jets are probably not too gummed up for the Techron to work. Run it, let it sit for a while or overnight, then run it some more. The Techron needs time to work.
Be sure there are no silicates in the antifreeze, they will wreck your water pump.
Mobil one 15w50 is pretty good a quieting the transmission somewhat. You're doing the right thing by preloading the shift peg. I find that my bikes will shift smoother at around 3,000 rpm.
Congrats, you just bought the right bike. Oh, one more thing, I agree with the mechanic at the dealer, blown head gaskets are very rare.
Two more things, unless you will be riding nearly every day, get some Marine Stabil and use it every tank unless you are on the road. Ethanol clogged slow jets are one of the most common problems with Valks.
The other thing to check is the lube on the final drive splines. Do a search, plenty of reading.

[sugerbear]

yep, a couple tanks with techron, ride it like ya stole it( watch out for the speed awards).
everything SHOULD clear up.

take the advice on the "choke" a lot of new owners make that mistake.

and like was said before tell us where you are and we need pics

If you are putting a bottle of Techron in your tank to clean out the pilot jets, DO NOT ride it like you stole it.  In fact, don't go above 3,000 rpms.  If you do the needles will lift from the primary jets and you won't be cleaning the pilots.  Go riding and just cruise.  You're riding with a purpose.



Marty  

aaaaaaaa    yep forgot about that   

[lucky_1_chris]

Well, ok...

I mentioned that I had some white slime under the radiator cap, and that I scraped it off and put it in a little water to see if the water would bead. I didn't, at least I think it didn't... That was last night.

Fast forward to tonight. I got home a couple hours ago so the bike is nice and cool. I went back out a few minutes ago to check underneath the radiator cap, and coolant is beading up in the area where the slime was forming. Last night I cleaned the underside of the cap and rinsed it off really well. This has to be oil, right? What else would cause the coolant to bead up, and form white slime? Does antifreeze break down? Can old coolant cause slime? I'm pretty worried...

This isn't good news... Aside from a head gasket, are there ANY other reasons that oil might be in the coolant?

Thanks
Chris

[Walküre]

Well, ok...

I mentioned that I had some white slime under the radiator cap, and that I scraped it off and put it in a little water to see if the water would bead. I didn't, at least I think it didn't... That was last night.

Fast forward to tonight. I got home a couple hours ago so the bike is nice and cool. I went back out a few minutes ago to check underneath the radiator cap, and coolant is beading up in the area where the slime was forming. Last night I cleaned the underside of the cap and rinsed it off really well. This has to be oil, right? What else would cause the coolant to bead up, and form white slime? Does antifreeze break down? Can old coolant cause slime? I'm pretty worried...

and there are some hard white scales on the rubber piece

this is what has me puzzled - hard white scales, usually indicate calcium, or calcium-like substance, like regular tap water being used, instead of distilled water - oil does NOT turn hard and crusty. As for it coming back, I have seen cars that had REALLY nasty stuff in the radiator, without having oil in it. It's also my experience, that you can usually "smell" oil in antifreeze. Not sure why, but in almost every car I've done with a blown head gasket, you can smell the oil, as soon as you start to drain the coolant.

Perhaps you can do a leak-down compression test, and see what you get. Or even just a standard compression test, can give you some idea, if you are seriously "off" on a particular cylinder (or two - not sure if you'll see it in one, or two cylinders on a 1500). It's just such a rare occurrence, from what I've seen on the Wings, to blow a head gasket. Even at that, I wouldn't think it would be a catastrophic occurrence, unless you manage to suck in coolant, and hydro-lock a cylinder(not to be confused with the fuel hydro-lock problem).

And no, short of stupidity on the part of the PO, I can't think of any way to get oil in the coolant, other than gasket...

[lucky_1_chris]

Man, I wish I had taken a pic before I cleaned and rinsed it off. Looked like miracle whip under the top of the cap and a little bit in the spring. The scales were on the rubber piece underneath the spring. I guess it's possible that the scales are just hardened goo (giggity  ), but the paranoid pessimist in me tells me it's oil. If I had these symptoms on my VTX I'd be much more confident in testing, confirming, and repairing any problems myself. However, seeing as I haven't even figured out all the functions of the radio on this bike, I don't yet have a service manual, and I have a trip planned in 6 weeks, I'm gonna throw in the towel and concede to an early defeat and take it to a recommended shop this weekend. My younger brother just bought his first MC a couple weeks ago after YEARS of coaxing from me, and I wouldn't risk our first trip together for anything. I really hope it turns out to be nothing, but peace of mind is priceless and I gotta get this squared out. I've been lusting after an I/S for a couple years now and it seems to be everything I hoped it'd be. Just gotta get this first hurdle outta the way so I can truly enjoy this awesome machine.

[Walküre]

If I had these symptoms on my VTX I'd be much more confident in testing, confirming, and repairing any problems myself. However, seeing as I haven't even figured out all the functions of the radio on this bike, I don't yet have a service manual, and I have a trip planned in 6 weeks, I'm gonna throw in the towel and concede to an early defeat and take it to a recommended shop this weekend.

All the testing, confirming, and repairing are basically the same - a bolt is a bolt, a nut is a nut...

You misspelled that...the word is $hop, not "shop". I know it's your choice, but if it were me, and I had 6 weeks (or even 3), I would wait a week,or even two, see what I could do, THEN take it to the shop, if I had to. Believe me, this great group of folks will walk you through it, and I'm sure there's SOMEone close by you, with expertise, to lend a hand, if needed. We all differ from each other politically, culturally, etc (me, more so that others!), but we ALL agree on the Valk, and to a person, I've never known ANY problem on them, that hasn't gotten solved by the group. Again, MY $.02, but I'd sleep on it a little bit. if you aren't afraid to tackle a few things, you sure will learn a lot, and know your steed a LOT better, when you are done.

[lucky_1_chris]

If I had these symptoms on my VTX I'd be much more confident in testing, confirming, and repairing any problems myself. However, seeing as I haven't even figured out all the functions of the radio on this bike, I don't yet have a service manual, and I have a trip planned in 6 weeks, I'm gonna throw in the towel and concede to an early defeat and take it to a recommended shop this weekend.

All the testing, confirming, and repairing are basically the same - a bolt is a bolt, a nut is a nut...

You misspelled that...the word is $hop, not "shop". I know it's your choice, but if it were me, and I had 6 weeks (or even 3), I would wait a week,or even two, see what I could do, THEN take it to the shop, if I had to. Believe me, this great group of folks will walk you through it, and I'm sure there's SOMEone close by you, with expertise, to lend a hand, if needed. We all differ from each other politically, culturally, etc (me, more so that others!), but we ALL agree on the Valk, and to a person, I've never known ANY problem on them, that hasn't gotten solved by the group. Again, MY $.02, but I'd sleep on it a little bit. if you aren't afraid to tackle a few things, you sure will learn a lot, and know your steed a LOT better, when you are done.

I absolutely agree with you in principle, but I work ~55 hrs. a week and I'm on call this weekend so that gives me 4 weekends to sort it all out and I'm afraid I may not get it done. You are right when you call it a $hop, but I got the bike for a good deal less than other I/S's going in my area so I'm gonna call it a wash. It may turn out to be nothing much at all (hopefully), but a sure thing wins out this time. After reading for hours on this board I certainly don't doubt the knowledge, experience, and willingness to help by the people on this board, but I gotta do what I gotta do to make sure I'm good for this next trip. God willing I'll have plenty of time to get to know this bike in and out afterward.

[lucky_1_chris]

Chris you for sure made the right choice.  I had a 2008 Venture and had no intention of getting rid of it when I bought my Valkyrie last summer. After riding the Valk for a week I no longer wanted to ride the Venture.  Venture is gone and love the Valkyrie.   

I almost made a deal on a Venture before riding an Interstate. Glad I didn't. The Honda has it beat in comfort, looks, and power. A Valkyrie was my first choice, but they were really tempting me with the price of the Venture and it still had 18 mos. on the warranty.

[SteveL]

Change out that coolant.

Make sure you use the Silicate Free Honda Coolant.

Read Page 13 of this.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/ShopTalk/ValkMaintManAcrobatPDF.pdf

[Chiefy]

If I had these symptoms on my VTX I'd be much more confident in testing, confirming, and repairing any problems myself. However, seeing as I haven't even figured out all the functions of the radio on this bike, I don't yet have a service manual, and I have a trip planned in 6 weeks, I'm gonna throw in the towel and concede to an early defeat and take it to a recommended shop this weekend.

All the testing, confirming, and repairing are basically the same - a bolt is a bolt, a nut is a nut...

You misspelled that...the word is $hop, not "shop". I know it's your choice, but if it were me, and I had 6 weeks (or even 3), I would wait a week,or even two, see what I could do, THEN take it to the shop, if I had to. Believe me, this great group of folks will walk you through it, and I'm sure there's SOMEone close by you, with expertise, to lend a hand, if needed. We all differ from each other politically, culturally, etc (me, more so that others!), but we ALL agree on the Valk, and to a person, I've never known ANY problem on them, that hasn't gotten solved by the group. Again, MY $.02, but I'd sleep on it a little bit. if you aren't afraid to tackle a few things, you sure will learn a lot, and know your steed a LOT better, when you are done.

I absolutely agree with you in principle, but I work ~55 hrs. a week and I'm on call this weekend so that gives me 4 weekends to sort it all out and I'm afraid I may not get it done. You are right when you call it a $hop, but I got the bike for a good deal less than other I/S's going in my area so I'm gonna call it a wash. It may turn out to be nothing much at all (hopefully), but a sure thing wins out this time. After reading for hours on this board I certainly don't doubt the knowledge, experience, and willingness to help by the people on this board, but I gotta do what I gotta do to make sure I'm good for this next trip. God willing I'll have plenty of time to get to know this bike in and out afterward.

There is a time and a place for everything.  Not everyone has the DESIRE to wrench, I sure don't.  If you can afford the mechanic, and you're cool with paying him,  you've made the right call for you.  I wrench what I can, and pay a pro for what I can not, or will not do.  I have a good shop nearby.  He's honest, and charges no more, no less then other shops.  Hardly a "stealer."  Just an honest family trying to make a living.

Let us know how it plays out, and good luck for a simple and cheap repair.

[Mr Bojangles]

Chris, Hello, I own a '98 Tourer, my second. I take care of two valks for buddies at DFW airport that I work with. I have a full set of sycro gauges for the carbs, and I have been an aircraft mechanic for 35+ years. I suppose what I'm trying to tell you is that we get together on weekends and service our bikes and listen to Pink Floyed out in the garage or whatever. We have been doing this for about 10 years and we have, most likely, ran into most problems you will in time encounter.  Why don't you come join us, we are in Bedford, just a few miles west of you.
                                                                        BoJangles

[R J]

Well I made a post/reply to this and it went into cyberland.   LOL   Probably hit the wrong damn key, done that before.   Figured out what I did wrong here.  Wife wanted a recipe copied and I RED 'X' out.     DUH......

If you will listen to an old fart who has 242K+ miles on his bike, and has owned it from May 97 to date, I have some suggestions.     NO, I did not say these are a must do, just good old fashioned suggestions.

Change the coolant, flush it also and burp it when you are done. Use the Silicate Free Honda Coolant or it's equivalent.

It sounds like from what you are saying is in the radiator, that coolant has to be the original stuff from the factory.  

As far as the off idle bubbling and popping, that sounds like partially clogged slow jets, and some normal happenings from a gas engine with a carb.

Run 3 or 4 tanks of SeaFoam (full can each tank, almost to reserve) or it's equivalent through it.   Change all the vacuum lines, they are probably brittle and have holes in them.

Choke, fuel enricher, or what ever you want to call it.   It is a little black knob on the left handlebar.   Push it till ya feel resistance.   Now, PUSH it another 1/2", yupper, it will be very stiff on this push.   Now if that black knob is pointing straight across to the starter button, you have full choke.   Otherwise, you have little to NO choke.   Trust us on that one, 90% of our owners have encountered this and discovered just like I did, it needs to go ALL the way.  

Plan your trip and take it and don't worry about any problems.  Ya worry and ya no enjoy the trip.    In all of the miles I have on MGM, the bike has never let me down except for a few tires that just happened to pick up a nail, bolt, railroad spike, 1/2 of a hand scissors, a spark plug, and 2 tires I hit razor sharp rocks and sliced them open.  MGM has always made it home under it's own power, even a round trip to Alaska to visit my grandkids.   Oh, that was where I hit one of my razor sharp rocks.  Leaving a fuel stop I nailed the throttle and he spun on razor sharp rock, at least I was able to ride back into the gas station.   Was delayed 4 days waiting on a tire to come up from the US.

PS:    Here is a link to a very valuable generic parts list.  

http://www.jkozloski.com/generic_parts.htm

[Ricky-D]

Has the consideration been made that the residue could be some kind of "stop leak"?

Honda shops have been using that type of treatment for ages to fix small coolant leaks.

***

[Printer Mike]

Like others have stated, change the coolant, and add gas treatment...

Then, take it out for a long hard run, then, recheck the coolant.

Good luck!

[PhredValk]

Welcome to the VRCC.
Listen to what the guys say here. Use a grain of salt, and check on things to be sure in your own mind, but the info from this loony gang comes from hundreds of person years of real experience with these bikes. Most of the members are older chaps, and have owned just about every bike ever made at one time or another, and many have always done their own work.

I bought my 99 I/S last spring, have put 15k miles on her, and have done no maintenance other than a couple of oil changes. I've never checked any fluids or done brake lines; I just got on her and rode. I'll be doing everything I can think of once the snow has gone, but I never worried about it when I bought her.

Pay special attention to the rear end when you get it apart for tire changes. There's lots of info on rear end maintenance here, and it seems to be the most important item for keeping her going for the long haul.

As the tech/maint manual has nothing on the radio controls (you'll need the Owner's Manual for that) I've taken the liberty of e-mailing you a PDF file on the I/S radio controls that some nice person sent me last summer.
See you're reaping the benefits of being a member before you even asked for it!
Fred.

[Six Guns]

Chris,

  Go to the Texas VRCC site:

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/tx/

We have wrench parties every month in the D/FW area. We just had one last week. You live in an area that has a very active group of valkyrie riders. Come to the Texas board and introduce yourself. I live in Fort Worth and own 2 valkyries myself. We even have a tool kit that we carry to every wrench party (tools donated by our D/FW VRCC members) that we use to work on our valks. Hope to hear from you on the Texas board.     

[Ghillie]

I vote with Six Guns, go jump on the Texas forum. We just had a wrench party last weekend and will have another in three or four weeks. If you are dead set on have a professional mech head looking at it, don't go to the stealership. Redneck is in Ft Worth and is a pro and will treat you right.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it, but most of us prefer to run seafoam through the bike to Techron.

[lucky_1_chris]

Just dropped the bike off this morning. They'll test to see if there are any head gasket issues and give me a call. If not, then I'll go pick it up and take care of everything else my self. They sounded pretty optimistic, and said he seriously doubts it's anything serious. He pretty much repeated everything that's been said here, and he suspects that the white sludge on the radiator cap is from very old or the wrong type of coolant. I wouldn't have been been able to rest easy without confirmation of no oil in the coolant. My tiny air compressor isn't up to the task of the tests, and I don't have a spark plug socket for this bike yet. We'll see what he says...

[lucky_1_chris]

Chris, Hello, I own a '98 Tourer, my second. I take care of two valks for buddies at DFW airport that I work with. I have a full set of sycro gauges for the carbs, and I have been an aircraft mechanic for 35+ years. I suppose what I'm trying to tell you is that we get together on weekends and service our bikes and listen to Pink Floyed out in the garage or whatever. We have been doing this for about 10 years and we have, most likely, ran into most problems you will in time encounter.  Why don't you come join us, we are in Bedford, just a few miles west of you.
                                                                        BoJangles

I'll take ya up on that sometime. Would one of those guys you work with be the owner of that SHARP looking red/cream tourer that I see parked out in front of the AA cargo building? Man, I've been drooling over that bike for years.

[lucky_1_chris]

Chris,

  Go to the Texas VRCC site:

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/tx/

We have wrench parties every month in the D/FW area. We just had one last week. You live in an area that has a very active group of valkyrie riders. Come to the Texas board and introduce yourself. I live in Fort Worth and own 2 valkyries myself. We even have a tool kit that we carry to every wrench party (tools donated by our D/FW VRCC members) that we use to work on our valks. Hope to hear from you on the Texas board.     

I'll check in over in the Texas board, and I'll certainly pop in at your wrench sessions from time to time. Thanks for the invite.

So far everyone on this board has been great, and very helpful. This is an awesome board. Thanks, y'all.

[R J]

Be sure ya post what ya find out from the stealer.

We are all interested, believe it or not.......

[valkyriemc]

No choke.


You think your choke is full on, but its not.


Full choke.