OEM or after market float valve

[flsix]

I have a question for any of you who have changed out your float valves. If you used after market valves, how long ago did you change them and how many miles do you have on them now? Who did you buy them through?
If you used OEM float valves, the same questions apply.
I had great advice from John Schmidt aka... Stuffy... on what my problem is and am also desmoging the fat lady and changing the slow jets. While the tank is off again I'm going to install a manual Pingle valve.
I'm just not sure if I need to spend the money on OEM parts.
Thanks for any advice you may have for someone suffering with his bike out of commission during some of the best riding weather we have here in Fl.

[Momz]

The OEM float valves don't deteriorate unless the bike was improperly stored.

I've never heard of aftermarket float valves.
In the Tucker Rocky catalog they sell Kehein float valves are cheaper than ordering them as "Honda" parts. But the carbs on a Valkyrie are Keheins.

[flsix]

The bike sat for three years with very few miles on it before I bought it last Feb. Since then I've ridden  it at least twice a week sometimes every day. I ran two tanks of gas through it with seafoam shortly after I bought it. The carbs were rebuilt and synced by the stealer just before I bought it and I haven't had any problem with the carbs since then... until now. Gas coming out of the over flow on the left bank. Pulled all the plugs because she hydro locked on number six.

[PhredValk]

I am by no way an expert here, but number 6 says vacuum line to the petcock. Unless there is a problem with the floats, I wouldn't worry about them. You're installing a pingle, so I wouldn't sweat it.
Fred.

[flsix]

 You're thinking the OEM petcock has gone south and is leaking fuel into # six, I thought the same thing and decided to install the pingle then open up the original and see whats going on in there.
Still hoping to find someone who has experience using after market float valves for mor that a year or two.

[Brian]

I had three carbs leaking thru when I bought my girl used and not running. I wasn't a member on this site at the time so I just ordered them from my dealer. Yes they were pricey, the parts guy actually took the time to see if the same float valve was used in any ATV carb rebuild kit as he knew a whole rebuild kit could be bought for less than what Honda wanted for these at that time. He came up with nothing so I bit the bullet and ordered all six. One of the parts counter guys asked if I tried soaking them in tansmission fluid or one of this additives that stops oil leaks. He had heard that this may bring life back to the rubber seal. I did not try that seeing that I had all the carbs taken a part anyway. The one regret I did make was, was not repalcing all the o-rings on the fuel rail at the same time. I used Q-tips and carb cleaner to clean the needle valve seats. I hate to admit here but I paid $22.25 each. It did cure the problem and the old girl is running great.

[flsix]

Brian, I just pulled the carb banks off and checked the needle valve seats. A small line on the needle on some of them. Had not heard of soaking the rubber to allow it to seat better. Will order new valves soon, just hate the price of 25.00 each for OEM parts.

[Momz]

The OEM float valves don't deteriorate unless the bike was improperly stored.

I've never heard of aftermarket float valves.
In the Tucker Rocky catalog they sell Kehein float valves are cheaper than ordering them as "Honda" parts. But the carbs on a Valkyrie are Keheins.

Why not go to the dealer and ask the parts counterman to check he Tucker Rocky catalog?

[Brian]

The OEM float valves don't deteriorate unless the bike was improperly stored.

I've never heard of aftermarket float valves.
In the Tucker Rocky catalog they sell Kehein float valves are cheaper than ordering them as "Honda" parts. But the carbs on a Valkyrie are Keheins.

Why not go to the dealer and ask the parts counterman to check he Tucker Rocky catalog?

I never hear this catalog till this site and thread mentioned it. Maybe they did either back then. At least he was willing to help.

[Brian]

Just checked the Tucker website for Honda float valves, over $19 plus shipping. The $22.25 I paid included the shipping.

[keepinon]

When I did the carbs on my project '98, when first put back together after only cleaning (after 7 years sitting) it ran fair, but rough. After sitting overnight, it would leak thru the fuel into three carbs.

I ordered float needles and low speed jets from jetsrus.com.  About $65 if I remember correctly. Fixed the fuel leak thru, and ran a heck of a lot smoother.

http://jetsrus.com/a_jet_kit_street/honda_1500_valkyrie.htm

http://jetsrus.com/individual_parts/021_862K_su.html

[flsix]

Keepinon, Jetsrus have the best prices I have found so far. Thanks for your input.

[Momz]

Just checked the Tucker website for Honda float valves, over $19 plus shipping. The $22.25 I paid included the shipping.

My dealer never charges for shipping (Rosenau Power Sports, Dearborn Hts,. MI).

[flsix]

Thanks Momz, I just ordered the float valves from Jets R Us. Five days and she starts going back together. Pingle valve going in tomorrow.

[Ricky-D]

I can recollect over the years a few threads regarding the float needles and replacing one or two but I don't think that the needles are a maintenance item that need any attention at all.

Replacing all six to me is an expense that is unnecessary and not warranted.

A problematic gas petcock can certainly exaggerate a fuel problem especially with a bike that sits for long periods of time without proper storage management and ethanol enriched gasoline being used.

Storing a bike on the side stand doesn't have to be the standard what with the engine guards being the way they are. It's so easy to store the bike upright and that in itself along with a few other easy to do storage practices will go a log way to eliminating many of the problems associated with poor storage habits.

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