Project bike progress.

[John Schmidt]

Well, I took the easy way out and just replaced the engine rather than repair the hydrolock. After many hours of cleaning, checking and double checking various parts, today I got it up and running. I have one of those small external tanks used by shops to run the bike without the tank installed, so I poured in maybe 3-4 cups of gas after hooking up the line to the bike's fuel line. Turned on the small petcock and waited to see if the new float valves I installed would shut off....deep breath, they did. No fuel coming out the overflow and onto the top of the engine. So, took a breath, turned on the key and hit the starter. The old girl didn't turn more than two blades and it started so quick it startled me. I turned up the idle and it settled down and purred, all the while I'm standing there with a big grin on my face. First time I let it run just a minute or so, shut it off and checked for leaks, etc.  Started it again and let it run a bit longer, same routine, no problems. The third time I let it run for at least ten minutes, not a hiccup. Still need to sync the carbs and rebuild the OEM petcock before installing the tank. I do have a couple problems concerning the two master cylinders up front....they're in bad shape. The clutch m/c had at least 1/4" of mud in the bottom and I couldn't bleed it. Finally got some out in my Mity Vac as shown in one picture, but I think I'll just replace them both. The insides are coated with a hard varnish that comes off if you really scrape hard with a knife blade. I'm just not confident I can get them totally cleaned out. I want the bike to be in top condition, all the parts to the driveline are in top shape and now fully serviced. Brake pads are near new so didn't change them. Take a look at the pictures and see the before/after. I still have the front end to do, but wanted to get everything from the steering head back in top running condition first. Whoever buys this bike when I'm done won't have anything to worry about until the next time they need to service the rear end. I still have some polishing to do on the rear fender, there's a lot of fingerprints I left behind. Tomorrow I replace the petcock cover set and install the tank. That will just about complete the resto from the steering stem back. What's left will be a walk in the park in comparison, but I plan to go through the front end as completely as the rest has been done. Save your shekels folks, a new bike will be up for sale before long, I think you'll like what you see. 

Before: Rear wheel, exhaust, shock.


After:


Before: Left exhaust(right one just as bad)


After: Note the junk in the Mity Vac from the clutch m/c


Final drive, was worse than the left side of rear wheel.


Before: Right side exhaust


After:

[Jess from VA]

Talking about bringing the dead back to life!   

Thanks for sharing, I like motorcycle repair posts best.   

[John Schmidt]

If you recall, this is the bike out of Austin, TX that had a second hydrolock and was listed in the Classifieds for $1700. Plus, one shop it was in apparently had a fire near where the bike sat and damaged it even more, causing a mess for me to clean up. The prior owner, or possibly the owner previous to him...don't know for certain, had experienced one hydrolock. The shop that repaired it only repaired the damage but didn't fix the cause, resulting in another h-lock. This time the owner said he wasn't going to spend any more money on it. Good thing, the bike had been totally neglected and quite frankly he didn't deserve the bike. There's still work to be done, but the major portion is done and it runs like a top. The old engine is easily repairable, but I was able to sell off enough "extras" from the bike to pay for a replacement, making the job easier. I have most of the parts to fix the internals, just need a rear case, so I plan to just sell the engine as is and include the parts I have. If someone has the tools and the time, it will make a good spare for them, with 30k on it there shouldn't be any problems with it.

[Valkahuna]

John,

Great Job and post! You've got the magic touch.

[Westsider]

John,

Great Job and post! You've got the magic touch.

+1  looks like shes getting the supersize can of TLC. You have a good vision of what can be.

[RonW]

unbelievable! Especially the exhaust pipes.

[hubcapsc]

unbelievable! Especially the exhaust pipes.

Howdja get the rust off the chrome parts?????

-Mike

[quexpress]

Wow!!! Hats off to you John!!! 

[NC_Rob]

Looking good!!!!!

[Michael K (Az.)]

unbelievable! Especially the exhaust pipes.

Howdja get the rust off the chrome parts?????

-Mike

That was gonna be my ??, John.

[John Schmidt]

unbelievable! Especially the exhaust pipes.

Howdja get the rust off the chrome parts?????

-Mike

That was gonna be my ??, John.

Well, I could lead you guys on a little and tell how hard it was and how much time I spent polishing and all that. BUT, being of a sound mind(?) and a tender heart, I'll come clean. Well over a month ago I spotted some pipes on Craig's List located about 100 miles west of me....for $180.  Called him up, he said they were totally unmolested and near new condition. "I'LL BE RIGHT OVER!"  As I was loading them in the SUV, he mentioned he had an OEM seat set, sans the sissy bar pad, and had asked $50 for that. Would I be interested. Told him I only brought enough cash for the pipes(waiting to see how bad he wanted to sell the seat), and continued loading. As the rear lid was closing and my wife headed for the front door, he said he'd take less than $50....a lot less, then mentioned $35. I didn't respond, so he asked "how about $25."  Hmm, let me look at them....they were perfect and best I could tell were the later version. I reached for the wallet again, borrowed a couple $$ from Rita, and the guy tossed in a nice cruiser bar just to get rid of everything. A short time later is when I found this project bike, which needed a new seat and exhaust....among other things. I sold the old pipes to another Valk rider who is going to have them blasted and the headers ceramic coated. He doesn't plan to use anything but the headers anyway.

PS: Rita reminded me of the borrowed $$. Geeez...can't get away with anything. 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Great job of a Resurrection John.I am glad to see that someone would rather fix a Valkyrie up rather than Junk it.Who-ever ends up owning this one will have a Great Bike.

[mirion]

Yes, +1 on resurrecting vs junking. It makes me sick to my stomach evertime I go to a Pinwall Ebay listing and they show a video of a perfectly good "Lady" before they tear her to pieces.

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

John,  My question is how did you get the WIFE to go along on the trip, and more importantly how in the world did you get her to give you a couple of additional bucks?  Not to many women out there like that!!!  I'll tell my WIFE about your wife, but I'm sure she will say "yeah, right".

[old2soon]

John-hats off to you and Rita both. Glad to see there is life after death-especially in our Valkyrie world.  I'd ask you to keep up the good work but it looks like you already are.  RIDE SAFE.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

[R J]

Good show John..........   What year is this bike?

[Willow]

Great job, John.

I've heard that story before about the pipes, seat set, and cruiser bar.  I just have one question.  How far down the road were you before you took off the mask?   

Once in a while living right pays off.    

[John Schmidt]

Good show John..........   What year is this bike?

Russ, it's a '99 Tourer. However, the PO removed the OEM windshield and mounted a Memphis Fats. Dumb move I think, the lower bracket is still on there but with the cost of a complete windshield I'm not going to put out that kind of money. As for the saddlebags, the bike was near a fire that broke out in the shop doing the engine analysis and melted the left bag enough so it's not usable. The right one has some disfiguration but could probably be rescued. Again, with the replacement cost of OEM bags, I decided against it and sold the OEM bag mounts. I have a set of Easy Brackets and a set of Hondaline Valkyrie leather bags which I plan to mount on it when done.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Man John, things are dovetailing nicely on that project unit!! Give Rita a squeeze from me and take care!!

[Hook#3287]

Nice work!!

[John Schmidt]

John,  My question is how did you get the WIFE to go along on the trip, and more importantly how in the world did you get her to give you a couple of additional bucks?  Not to many women out there like that!!!  I'll tell my WIFE about your wife, but I'm sure she will say "yeah, right".

It's real easy! My wife and I have an understanding; she tells me how it's going to be, and I tell her I understand. 

Of course, any of the members that know the two of us know better. She used to be my riding partner, but her Parkinson's disease stopped that cold about 10-11 years ago. Now, I just "love her through it" as best I can, and she goes with me on short car rides if she feels up to it. 

[BF]

Can't wait to see pics of the completed bike.   

[Grumpy]

John,  My question is how did you get the WIFE to go along on the trip, and more importantly how in the world did you get her to give you a couple of additional bucks?  Not to many women out there like that!!!  I'll tell my WIFE about your wife, but I'm sure she will say "yeah, right".

It's real easy! My wife and I have an understanding; she tells me how it's going to be, and I tell her I understand. 

Of course, any of the members that know the two of us know better. She used to be my riding partner, but her Parkinson's disease stopped that cold about 10-11 years ago. Now, I just "love her through it" as best I can, and she goes with me on short car rides if she feels up to it. 

Boy I can relate to that comment, my wife lets me do any thing I want, as long as she approves it. I learned a long time ago who wears the pants around here.