Nebraska wrench party?

[toetruck21]

Would anyone be close enough to eastern Nebraska to justify a wrench party?  I'm willing to offer up my two car garage as a meeting site.  Truth be told, I found a 2 inch puddle of oil under the front left fork seal this morning.  Want to tackle this myself just don't have the experience or the special tool needed for one of the forks.  I also ordered a electronic fuel shut off last night and could handle someone standing over me with the cold beer I provide to instruct me on tank removal and overall general mechanic know how!  Let me know if there are any takers!  Thanks for any help in advance!!
Mike 

[Gryphon]

I didn't have the "special" tool either, but I found the shock wrench from my sportster worked fine as a substitute.  Basis pin type spanner wrench would probably work as well.  I pulled the forks completely off to do mine.  I was putting in new seals and progressive springs at the same time and figured it would be easier.  Followed the step by step  that was posted a while back, and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Honestly, if I can manage to do it my self, it isn't that difficult.

Tank removal isn't hard either as long as you remember to lay out a blanket or pad to set the tank on BEFORE you pull it off, start with an almost empty tank, and make sure to remove all of the lines from the tank before you move it to the pad.  It's awkward when you forget to remove the vent line.  While you have the tank off, you might as well change the air filter.  Then it's done for this year. 

[greggh]

Omaha NE here.
Got some work to do my self, minor by  comparison.

[greggh]

Chek your personal Messge.

[Hoser]

Post a date if you set one up, could run up from Toepicker, (that's what I call Topeka). It ain't that far from Wahoo. I wrench a little, but I know a guy that's real good at it.  Hoser   

[gordonv]

Post a date if you set one up, could run up from Toepicker, (that's what I call Topeka). It ain't that far from Wahoo. I wrench a little, but I know a guy that's real good at it.  Hoser  

It looks like you need to hold your own wrench party before you can attend someone elses?

[Hoser]

That was just my annual, new tire maintenance orgy I perform every spring, it's all better now.  Went to Galveston and back and nuthin fell off! (this time)  hoser

[toetruck21]

I tried the 35mm film trick today on the fork seal.  The first attempt I made the problem worse.  Took the bike for a short 20 mile ride and made a nice mess on the timing cover.  Got it home and tried it again.  Had lots of oil coming out but got the film in and out all around the seal again.  Let it sit for a few hours and no new oil dripping.  I tied a rag around the lower end of the fork and went for a short ride on a bumpy cobblestone road.  Pulled the rag off when I got home and it was dry.  Will let it sit in garage tonight and see if I have a new spot or oil around the lower end.  Maybe, just maybe, keeping my fingers crossed, the problem is solved.  The dealers around here wanted $300 to replace the seals!  Ouch!!!  I did find a local guy who works on bikes and he told me he could do it for $125!   if it returns I might just be calling him.  Would there be any way to tell if the fork was maybe just out of oil and that's why it's not dripping?  I haven't noticed any change in the ride.

Gregg, what work you looking at doing?

Hoser, as soon as I take my riding class in May, I would love to get some miles on my bike and head down to toepicker!  I need to start adding states to my map.  Doesn't seem to be a strong Valkyrie group here in Nebraska.  At least I haven't found them yet.  

[valk2000]

Im all for this watch and learn  Im in Columbus ne

[Bone]

My right fork was leaking after winter storage. I did the film trick and the fork hadn't leaked one month later. I doubt your fork is dry. Take 1 teaspoon of oil and pour on a hard surface. You will have a pretty big spot that would scare us if we see it under our Valks.

[toetruck21]

No oil on the ground or coming from the fork this morning!  YES!!! !!  When the electronic fuel shut off comes in I will contact greggh, hoser and Valk2000 to see if we can get a wrench party together that will work for everyone.  I know its getting into riding season and this should be done in the winter but I didn't have a bike until three weeks ago.  Maybe being this is the first bike I have ever owned I'm just too paranoid about this hydrolock issue.  From what I'm reading I can't believe everyone hasn't changed out the petcock or have installed the protection of a fuel shut off.

[greggh]

I need to have the carbs synced but do not have the gauges or whats needed.

Check rear wheel bearing, lube splines and drive shaft, replace O-rings, both back tire and intakes as well,
Clean air cleaner.
YADA YADA YADA

[Willow]

  Maybe being this is the first bike I have ever owned I'm just too paranoid about this hydrolock issue.  From what I'm reading I can't believe everyone hasn't changed out the petcock or have installed the protection of a fuel shut off.

Chicken Little has a very vocal following, but the vast majority of Valkyrie riders are still successfully using the OEM petcock with no issues.

[fudgie]

  Maybe being this is the first bike I have ever owned I'm just too paranoid about this hydrolock issue.  From what I'm reading I can't believe everyone hasn't changed out the petcock or have installed the protection of a fuel shut off.

Chicken Little has a very vocal following, but the vast majority of Valkyrie riders are still successfully using the OEM petcock with no issues.

chicken little?  I did it cause I wanted to be proactive instead of reactive. 

[Gunslinger]

I have one valk that needs fork seals, Was going to get to them shortly but the idea of a 150 mile ride, then tackle them sounds good as well.

Seals and bushings can be done without the special tool, depends on how you go about it.

Let us know if you decide to come south, I'm not far from Topeka and Hoser.

When were you thinking about doing this wrench party?

[nerider2]

Count me in also, I'd love to hold a beer and watch and learn.  I want to install an electronic cruise control, desmog, replace vacuum hoses, sync the carbs and set the pilots.  I ordered 6 vacuum  gauges, just need to get them mounted and hoses.

Keep me posted.

Ed in Omaha

[greggh]

When you get the date down let me know and I hope to be able to make it.
Gregg in Omaha

[Hoser]

I can host it if needed, but we need Stude31's presence if possible. All of ya'll don't forget the Ks get together at Marqette the 30th.  hoser   

[toetruck21]

Well my 35 mm trick only lasted one day!  The front fork is leaking again!  Looks like I'm going to need to tear this apart! 

Hoser, I'm lining up tools and what not for the wrench party.  If you have a better set up I can come down there also!   The wife is getting anxious about that but she will get over it!  I ordered a bike lift and it's on backorder until June!  That's longer then I wanted to wait but that's life.  I did find one here in Wahoo and the owner will let me borrow it!  I'm trying to find a second one for the other bay in my garage.  I have the basic set of metric wrenches, sockets, Allen wrenches, vise grips, crescent wrenches, hammer, and screw driver set.  I also have an air compressor and voltage meter if needed.  Is there anything else I should try to get my hands on? 

I got the electronic fuel shut off delirvey confirmation today so hopefully that will be showing up this week.  I bought the clymer service/repair/maintenance book on eBay for $6, and will be printing off the 400 some odd page service manual at work this week! 

Now for the time and place?  Sounds like April 30 is out, I have April 16, may 7 and may 28 open.  How about the rest of you folks?  Im also not confined to Saturday's, just thought others might be!

[greggh]

Saturdays & Sundays work fine for me.
Just Let me know.

[valk2000]

The weekend works for me      I just dont know what will work for me on dates until then...