50,000 miles

[TXFireman07b]

I am just passing through the 50k mark on the odo. I was thinking of putting it in the honda stealer to get the service done because I am not sure what all needs to be done for the 50 k service. what I was wondering is if I could do most of it myself or is it something I would be better left to the pros? they quoted an approx price but I am not absolutely sure what all is included in that price. I am getting ready to head to AR in sept for the BBB and I was trying to make sure it was in tip top shape for the ride though the hills...
any help would be appreciated..
Steve

[BuzzKill]

Reading from the manual these items should be replaced if they havent recently...

Air Cleaner
All fluids - Brakes, Clutch, Oil, Final Drive, and Coolant.
Spark Plugs

I would be sure to check the brake pads also.

I dont know what the 50k Honda service does, I would assume all of these plus more.  All of the above items arent too hard or expensive to do with a little mechanical knowlege and hopefully someone whos done it before, and will take at least a few hours.

Theres probably a few other things to check or go ahead and replace, such as final drive and valve o-rings, fork oil maybe, and I'm sure some others I'm forgeting at the moment, but some of that would take a bit more expertise, and definately someone whos done it before. The wrenching season is just around the corner also.  With most of the listed stuff, there is a wealth of knowlege with how-to's and instructions.

It all comes down to..
1.  How comfortable are you with doing the work youself.
b.  How much is your time worth.
3.  Would you rather save money and do it yourself, or pay up and let someone else do it.


Personally speaking, with the exception of the fork oil, I've done most everything myself.  Mostly to save money.  I am mechanically inclined, but have hardly worked on autos or bikes up till now.
 

[grego]

I have an excel spreadsheet from the service manual
48K miles is a significant interval,
the next maintenance interval is  at 52K miles

3 levels of maintenance Inspect, Clean, Replace
* =     "Suggest Authorized Honda Mechanic unless owner has proper tools and service data"
** =   " Safety items - Requires Authorized Honda Mechanic "


48 K miles   
      
Clean      Crankcase Rebreather
      
Inspect      
   *   Fuel Line
   *   Throttle Operation
   *   Carburetor Choke
   *   Valve Clearance
   *   Carburetor Synchronization
   *   Engine Idle Speed
   *   Cooling System
   *   Secondary Air Supply
   *   Evaporative Emission Control System
      Brake Pad Wear
      Brake System
   *   Brake Light Switch
   *   Headlight Aim
      Clutch System
      Side Stand
   *   Suspension
   *   Nuts Bolts Fasteners
   **   Wheels / Tires
   **   Steering Head Bearings
      
Replace   *   Air Cleaner
      Spark Plug
      Engine Oil
      Engine Oil Filter
      Final Drive Oil
      Brake Fluid
      Clutch Fluid
--------------------------         
52 K miles      
      
Clean      Crankcase Rebreather
      
Inspect      
   *   Engine Idle Speed
      Brake Fluid
      Brake Pad Wear
      Clutch Fluid
Replace      
   **   Timing Belt [inspect every 100K]

[Disco]

Congratulations on the milestone!  With any luck, I'll be right behind you in a couple of months.

If you have an extra 170MB, or so, on your hard drive, and a good internet connections, go to Dag's Valkyrie Norway site's Valkyrie Document Download Center and download a copy of the Service Manual.  The maintenance schedule is on page 3-3. 

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[TXFireman07b]

Got the bike back out of the shop for only about $750 in damages LOL they said the petcock needs to be repaired/replaced, typical and I need new brakes.. Im sure I can save over 110 for the brakes and not sure about the petcock. they quoted me at 200. for each of the jobs LOl
Thank you all for the help.
Steve

[BuzzKill]

Brakes arent too bad.  Some real good instructions and even a video out somewhere on Dags page I think.  It can be done with just a few tools and doesn't take more than a couple hours.  Should probably be done before your trip depending on how they look.

Petcock can be a bit tricky.  Obviously the tank has to come off and then remove the petcock itself.  They hard or complicated part is the rebuilding of the parts.  It does have to be done properly or you will have problems later.  I'm curious how they know  it needs to be repaired/replaced.  Either A-They are assuming, 2-It ran poorly for them on a test run, or C- They already took it off but didnt do anything about it then while they already had it apart.  Depending on how bad it is, you may or may not need to fix it before your trip.  Though some here can speak from experience, petcock problems on the road suck bad.

I imagine Wrench Parties will begin again in the next month or so and both of these can be done then, but only if they can wait.  Obviously you will still need the parts.

[Houdini]

Get the petcock kit here for a whopping $15

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Honda-Petcock-Kit-GL1500-Valkyrie?sc=2&category=185

Wrench parties will resume as soon as the temp's settle down a bit.

[TXFireman07b]

I guess they tried to shut the valve off and it didnt shut the flow of gas off. it may just need to be cleaned. I will look for the petcock replacement. thank you for the help. I love my lady and am glad to know that with 50k it doesnt have anymore issues than that. I have the brakes ordered and am pretty sure I can get the brakes replaced myself.
I will be ready for ARkansas in one month woo hoo

[Valkpilot]

I guess they tried to shut the valve off and it didnt shut the flow of gas off. it may just need to be cleaned.

Rebuild your petcock. 

Soon.

[Doc809]

YES, rebuild the petcock!!  We were on a sanctioned iron butt ride when Joe's failed.  15 mpg for over 1000 miles.  Stopped every 60 miles for gas.  Not fun!!!

[TXFireman07b]

houdini, does that include all I need to rebuild it?

[Houdini]

houdini, does that include all I need to rebuild it?

Yep!  All of the parts that wear out and none of the metal ones that don't are in the kit

[TXFireman07b]

ok I finally got the kit. I will be working on the petcock soon. I already got the brakes changed yesterday. May be riding it in the biker bash this weekend here in Granbury.

[Houdini]

I will be working on the petcock soon.

Pay very close attention to how it comes apart, I learned the hard way that the aluminum spacer goes through the hole.  I'd suggest some pics as you disassemble it the first time so you can reference them as you reassemble.