Carb sync

[Ecmech]

Picked up my 97 Valkyrie a few weeks ago. The previous owner stated the motorcycle wasn't driven much the last few years. It starts easy but I find myself having to adjust the idle speed. When cold it will idle at 500- 600 rpm, but after riding it will be around 1500, so I will turn it down again and seems to idle fine. l'm running seafoam in the tank to clean the carbs, Could I possibly need to sync the carbs? I have a bit of a throttle delay until it warms up, then it seems to run fine! Thanks for any advice

[salty1]

I think you do need to synchronize your carbs. If the bike is running alright otherwise, synchronization probably will take of the idle fluctuation.

[Patrick]

When the engine is a operating temp adjust the idle speed to 900. Will if stay there when warm ? Its normal at cold startup for the idle to be low, quite low in the 500rpm range.
These engine are extremely smooth running and should accelerate with no hesitation. If the engine has not been run for awhile or the fuel treated before storage, then run a couple tanks of heavy doses of fuel system cleaner [ I like Sea-Foam] thru it. See what happens and let us know.

[Momz]

Seafoam is good but it seems that you may want to try Berrymans B12 to really clean those carbs.
It is available at Auto Zone for less than $5.00 a can.

Your carbs need to be clean before you should sync them. And you may find that with clean carbs and a clean air filter (also check that all the clamps on the carb intake and filter tubes are tight and secure) that a carb sync is not needed at all.

[Ecmech]

I will try the Berrymans, I have changed all the fluids including the air filter, and I will check the clamps as well, thanks for your replies!

[sixlow]

I had the same issue with my new to me Valk, run a few more tanks first, also the guys in Alachua gave good advise as we need to run low rpm like 5th gear and 35mph or parking lot speed to use the idle jets in the carbs .. I of course started with the just "punch it"     method with high octane and carb cleaner. 6 or 7 tanks later she is purring, i had to turn down the idle from 2k once they cleared out after a long run with ethanol free 90 octane. She is designed to run on 87 octane as many here can tell you. good luck

[Bone]

When cold it will idle at 500- 600 rpm

How cold? Not knowing your location we don't know your current weather.
Are you using the choke? Do you know the Valk choke lever has to be pushed
down very hard to work?

[Ecmech]

I live in the Indianapolis area, when I ran it yesterday it was around 40 degrees. The previous owner told me about the choke lever needing that extra push to work. I will try the Berrymans B-12 instead of the seafoam to clean the carbs