New rider, Jet advice

[Wilburt]

I've been riding for years and have always wanted the Valkyrie. I finally just bought one. It is used with 24,000 miles on the clock. It has Cobra 6 in 6 pipes installed. I've been doing tons of reading here the last couple of days. I understand that some Jet and some don't with the Cobra install. Since the bike is used and bought from a dealer, they couldn't tell me. Since I'm new to the fat girl, I don't really know how it's supposed to ride, so I defer to you guys.

My observations:
In neutral it idles at 400 rpm. I just adjusted it to 800-900 with the external screw.
It has the deceleration popping
It pulls hard all the way through 1st gear.
For 2nd - 5th gears; below 3000 rpm it is a bit sluggish, light the motor bogs a bit. Most noticeable in 4/5th gear. 

The last point could be normal, but maybe not. Otherwise it seems to pull pretty well. I haven't had a chance to really get any good use out of 5th gear yet though. Mostly 55 mph roads where I am at.

I don't really care about popping or the pipes bluing. I like the sound of the pipes; however I just want the best performance I can get with the pipes.

What do you guys think?

[Bighead]

Congrats on getting a Phatgurl 
Popping is probably because of no baffles in pipes.
And hard to tell exactly what you are saying as in sluggish.(without riding it)
55 mph in 5th it should pull through that with little effort when you hit the throttle.

[twdurdentwd]

It's cheap security, and will only increase performance if doing so... Buy a Jet kit there about $80

[Wilburt]

I checked and the baffles are still in. I don't hit 3000 rpm in 5th gear until about 68 MPH. So, until then, the bike is sluggish/lug/shutter etc. I know that probably doesn't help without riding. I usually cruise in 4th until I hit 65 to be able to have immediate power.

I don't mind spending $80 for the jet kit, I just don't think I want to personally tackle the job due to comfort level / ability. Seems like a very expensive job for a shop and then there is how to find a good shop anyway.

Does that help?

[98valk]

usually when the cobra pipes are installed the cobra carb kit was installed. I didn't say jet kit cause it didn't change the jets only the needles and springs. if your needles are adjustable then it has the kit. just open up the idle mixture screw to 3 turns out and go for a ride. get back on the board once the smile wears off. 

[old2soon]

Air cleaner is under the tank. Might have a look see and if in doubt-change it. Most of us can come down to 25 M P H in 5th gear and roll the throttle on and it will pull from that speed. It won't pull like it's in 1st or 2nd but it will pull it. Say I'm cruising a 2 lane at 65 or 70 M P H and Joe or Judy Blow slow me down with their turn. UNLESS I'm in a REAL large hurry and they only take me down to 35 40 M P H no NEED to down shift JUST turn up the wick a bit. HOW LONG was this bike sitting BEFORE you got it?? If it's been sitting a while put in a can of Techron or B-12 Chem Tool into a full tank. DO NOT exceed 2000 R P Ms for 15 18 miles. This low R P M running gets the cleaner into the slow circuits. Let it sit overnight. Depending on how LONG it has set you MAY have to do the cleaning out thing a couple of times. 99 I/S just turned 88000 today-piggies cut back baffle drilled-she pops and farts on decal when warmed up. And she pulls like a airplane up to 135 indicated. And YES a full can of cleaner IS dosing it up heavy but I have not hurt anything on mine by doing that. While your results may differ.  Oh-B T W-welcome to the insanity-don't feed the animals UNLESS you include an adult beverage containing alcohol.  Let us know how goes it cause if I ain't right/correct-someone else WILL have your answer. And before you get too carried away-have a look at the rear end-final drive-elusive 3d O-ring. WELCOME and RIDE SAFE.

[Wilburt]

Air cleaner is under the tank. Might have a look see and if in doubt-change it. Most of us can come down to 25 M P H in 5th gear and roll the throttle on and it will pull from that speed. It won't pull like it's in 1st or 2nd but it will pull it. Say I'm cruising a 2 lane at 65 or 70 M P H and Joe or Judy Blow slow me down with their turn. UNLESS I'm in a REAL large hurry and they only take me down to 35 40 M P H no NEED to down shift JUST turn up the wick a bit. HOW LONG was this bike sitting BEFORE you got it?? If it's been sitting a while put in a can of Techron or B-12 Chem Tool into a full tank. DO NOT exceed 2000 R P Ms for 15 18 miles. This low R P M running gets the cleaner into the slow circuits. Let it sit overnight. Depending on how LONG it has set you MAY have to do the cleaning out thing a couple of times. 99 I/S just turned 88000 today-piggies cut back baffle drilled-she pops and farts on decal when warmed up. And she pulls like a airplane up to 135 indicated. And YES a full can of cleaner IS dosing it up heavy but I have not hurt anything on mine by doing that. While your results may differ.  Oh-B T W-welcome to the insanity-don't feed the animals UNLESS you include an adult beverage containing alcohol.  Let us know how goes it cause if I ain't right/correct-someone else WILL have your answer. And before you get too carried away-have a look at the rear end-final drive-elusive 3d O-ring. WELCOME and RIDE SAFE.

I just put some B12 in the gas and will try that. Not sure how long it sat or if it even did. I go hop on the bike and see about 5th gear at 25 mph and see what happens.

usually when the cobra pipes are installed the cobra carb kit was installed. I didn't say jet kit cause it didn't change the jets only the needles and springs. if your needles are adjustable then it has the kit. just open up the idle mixture screw to 3 turns out and go for a ride. get back on the board once the smile wears off. 

I did some research on this. It seems that each pilot screw is different when set by the factory. IE 1.75, 2.0, 1.50 etc.

You are saying it's OK if they are all set them same or at 3 turns?

[Bighead]

I checked and the baffles are still in. I don't hit 3000 rpm in 5th gear until about 68 MPH. So, until then, the bike is sluggish/lug/shutter etc. I know that probably doesn't help without riding. I usually cruise in 4th until I hit 65 to be able to have immediate power.

I don't mind spending $80 for the jet kit, I just don't think I want to personally tackle the job due to comfort level / ability. Seems like a very expensive job for a shop and then there is how to find a good shop anyway.

Does that help?

Sounds like you Have some plugged up low speed jets.

[98valk]

yep they should all be the same, unless u have an exhaust gas analyser and can put the probe in each individual exhaust header pipe which might make them a little different.


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/tech_archive.cgi?read=969520

This was posted by J. Orr, 3/27/1998, on the GWRRA BBS, valkyrie section.
The following mods were done by Marc the owner of Factory Pro of a valkyrie that had cobra 6x6 pipes.
K&N filter (w/o prefilter)
Air box mod (remove plastic welded baffle)
38 pilot jet
3.5 turns idle mixture screw
front needles set on #3
mid and rear needles set on #2
115 main jets all carbs
this picked up 5 hp over the base run with the cobras.

this HP is still down from the stock pipes or almost the same.

[twdurdentwd]

Can you tell me more about removing the plastic welded baffle from the air box?

[Wilburt]

Thanks for the help so far. I think I am going to start with the B12 for about 3 tanks and see what is happening. Then if no change, I will move to other suggestions. I also learned that when I blip the throttle at idle, is lags a second before it comes back down to normal 850-900 rpm.

So if I have read things correctly that means 1 of 2 things:

Leak in the vacuum lines or running too lean, which could be solved by backing the pilot screws out by a 1/2 turn. It also seems that if the latter, it could fix my real/perceived low end power problem.

Speaking of doing the pilot screws, what is the best way while leaving the carbs on the bike? They seem a bit hard to get to without taking something off? Also, which tool do you guys recommend?

I won't be able to ride for a couple days and then I am taking a 3 day MC trip. So I won't be doing anything major until the trip is over due too the bike running OK as is. Anything else you guys can think of?

[Paxton]

I just had the 6-into-6's installed with baffles. A Cobra Jet Kit was fitted as well.
RESULTS: More powerful than a locomotive... faster than a speedin' bullet. NO popping whatsoever.

She feels and pulls stronger than ever! Might it be the 6 into 6'$ ; the Dark$ide; the fre$hly cleaned carburetor$;
the new I/$ tank; the new battery; the new K&N filter or the new Pingel valve... ALL of the above? 


STAY AWAY FROM CAGES!

[salty1]

Rich has the D shaped tool your looking for.

http://redeye.ecrater.com/p/5604503/stubby-pilot-screw-tool-on-bike

Sounds like if the Chemtool doesn't work, you will need to pull your carbs and cleanup the high and low speed jets. If that's the case, consider desmogging your bike as well. Last but not least, I have run Cobras and never needed to change anything except the pilots to 2 1/2 turns out. I also found that synchronization help ed minimize the deceleration pop which is some what characteristic at operating temperatures. FWIW

[Bigwolf]

Some popping on decell is characteristic of cobra 6x6 however, if the popping is pronounced, then a lean decell condition exists.  I am thinking it might be as simple as gummed up slow jets but if the b12 does not work, then I would suggest a detailed look at all vacuum hoses.  Pay particular attention to the inside of the ends of the hoses.  I would also check all clamps on intakes as they sometimes loosen up.  Look at the intakes where they attach to the head.  The o-ring seal between the head and the intake runner sometimes begin leaking and is usually then seen by some reddish residue running out on the heads at that location.

There is a short vacuum hose on the side of each carb.  One end of that hose goes to a cut valve.  If the cut valve is bad, that will increase decell popping. 

Welcome to the insanity!  Pictures, where are the pictures?  We wanna see this fat gurl ya got.

Bigwolf

[98valk]

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-07MMA-MT3010B.html

or

http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/honda/H-07MMA-MT3010B.html

this is the best honda tool to get if u can find one.  it was org listed for the cbr900.  it has a flexible spring head. been using it for yrs.

07MMA-MT3010B WRENCH PILOT SCREW

[gordonv]

Also sounds like slow jets to me.

As for the B12, half the can to 1/2-Full tank of fuel. Use it up over a few days or longer. Also already mentioned, you want low RPM, so high gear and low speed.

After 2 cans of B12, if it improves, try a different formula cleaner. If it doesn't, then you have bigger problems.

Upon suggestions from others, I have changed over to buying the majority of my fuel from Chevron, so I'm using Techron on my bike all the time, since I don't drive as much or as far, as I would like too.

[Wilburt]

Rich has the D shaped tool your looking for.

http://redeye.ecrater.com/p/5604503/stubby-pilot-screw-tool-on-bike

I assume that I can use this or the other one mentioned without taking anything apart?

Thanks guys. I'll report back in a few weeks after I get some riding in! I'll also work on some pictures when the weather is a bit nicer.

[salty1]

Rich has the D shaped tool your looking for.

http://redeye.ecrater.com/p/5604503/stubby-pilot-screw-tool-on-bike

I assume that I can use this or the other one mentioned without taking anything apart?

Thanks guys. I'll report back in a few weeks after I get some riding in! I'll also work on some pictures when the weather is a bit nicer.

The tool is short enough that nothing else needs to be removed. Looking forward to your pics.

[Bocephus]

For sure check the vacuum lines going to carbs. Went to have my carbs synced and as soon as he started my bike he said you have a vacuum leak. I couldn't hear a thing but he reached straight down and grabbed the hose and the idle changed. No more crazy idle and no more popping on decal.

[Wilburt]

For sure check the vacuum lines going to carbs. Went to have my carbs synced and as soon as he started my bike he said you have a vacuum leak. I couldn't hear a thing but he reached straight down and grabbed the hose and the idle changed. No more crazy idle and no more popping on decal.

Where do I get replacement hoses if I find there is a problem?

Also.... Pic below. I like the clean muscle look without all the chrome add ons.

[Paxton]

She's beautiful!
No chrome; just add Black side covers and Black wheels!
Err... go Darkside?

STAY AWAY FROM CAGES!

[twdurdentwd]

Someone on the site here posted this photo that I think is pretty beautiful