Fork seal and valve noise question

[.]

I recently got home after a trip to North Louisiana and noticed that I had a leaking fork seal (I noticed it because of the fork oil that was blown over the front of the engine) and also, during the trip, a noise started coming from behind the right hand valve cover that sounds like a ticking at lower RPMS but can still be heard at higher engine speeds. It doesn't sound like the motor is tearing itself apart and it isn't getting worse, but it just appeared and it isn't going away either, and I suspect I'm hearing a valve tapping.

I can't afford to put the bike in the shop right now but I would like to know if I need to leave it parked until I can get it fixed. I don't plan any trips but if riding short trips around town over the next couple of weeks has to potential to cause big damage then I'll leave it parked.

Any thoughts are appreciated, especially regarding the engine noise. The fork seal I know is leaking but I'm really just guessing at the engine noise. And, as I said, it is only on the right hand side. If I lean way down that way when the engine is running it starts to sound like someone with a hammer inside the valve cover but when I lean down to the left everything sounds normal.

[Michvalk]

A leaking exhaust will sound like ticking. might take a wrench and just snug them up a little. BE CAREFUL!! The studs that hold the exhaust only take 7 lb/ft of torque and snap easy! If it is the valves, it isn't hard to adjust them.

[.]

I'm pretty sure it's a valve making noise but I'll check the exhaust (that's something I CAN work on). I just want to make sure I'm not going to crash my Valk or destroy the engine if I do anything other than leave it sitting in the driveway until I can take it to the shop. Like I said, I'm not going to do any trips but I do like using it around town too.

Thanks!

[wiggydotcom]

Others will chime in about the valve train/exhaust leak...but as for the leaking fork, you have nothing to lose to try the plastic shim/35mm film trick. If you have access to .025 plastic shim stock, cut a piece that's about 6 inches long in the shape of a fat butter knife with a hook at the end, like an eagle talon, if you can imagine that.

Gently pry back your dust seal and run the shim/film up past your fork seal and go around your tube a couple times pulling down as you go. You just might clear the crud, bug, piece of grit or whatever is causing the leak. Then wipe your fork clean and pump them a few times. You might need to rinse, lather, and repeat.

[Michvalk]

Are you sure you can't adjust the valves? Not a hard job, and if you search the Tech board there is step by step instructions with pictures. Go to the top of the page, and enter valve adjust in the search. No real special tools required!

[Oss]

go back a week or two there are a few products that you slip up in the fork and rotate that have a good chance of catching what is making the fork leak

I think chrisj posted one of them


Found the linky

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,66514.0.html

[sandy]

Go to Amazon: Search for "Seal Mate". It's worth a try. When you see a picture of one, cut up a gallon milk jug in a smooth portion of the jug.

[Jess from VA]

This is pretty easy, and works.  Watch the video.  Get a few, I've about worn mine out after two uses. You will get additional fork oil out while cleaning, don't worry about it.  I had good luck running the Sealmate  around clockwise (wipe), then counterclockwise (wipe), several times, then bounce the forks (wipe) and repeat until no more leak.

It's harder getting the rock guards (fork protectors) off than using the seal mate.  10mm 1/4 socket ratchet on the bottom nut, 10mm ratcheting wrench on the top nut.  You can't see up there inside the fender, do it by feel.  The nuts are at an angle, the wrench does not go north and south, it goes NE to SW.  Once off, clean threads and use antiseize; a bunch easier the 2d time.  

http://sealmate.net/

If the noise is not bad or getting worse, I would not be too concerned.  How long since you changed oil?

I see no reason to knock off local rides, maybe long trips.  What you do not want is fork oil getting on the front bake pads.  

[olddog1946]

I find it easier just to remove the front fender, pull the dust cover, then use your tool to clean around the seal. One of our members at Inzane13 gave me a set of homemade tools, that I got to use last weekend on my neighbors valk. Worked like a charm. So, Many thanks to whomever gave those to me.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I find it easier just to remove the front fender, pull the dust cover, then use your tool to clean around the seal. One of our members at Inzane13 gave me a set of homemade tools, that I got to use last weekend on my neighbors valk. Worked like a charm. So, Many thanks to whomever gave those to me.

+1, much easier to take off the whole fender. Also valve adjustment is easy on these bikes. No shims , just simple tappet adjustment.

[Patrick]

Like Mich said, its probably an exhaust leak. They can be a PITA to correct. These monsters aren't known for having valve lash issues, but, its still an easy job to check/adjust.

[Jess from VA]

So it's easier to take off the whole fender than two fork guards???

It is really no problem working the sealmate around the forks with the fender on.

[Chrisj CMA]

I'm pretty sure it's a valve making noise but I'll check the exhaust (that's something I CAN work on). I just want to make sure I'm not going to crash my Valk or destroy the engine if I do anything other than leave it sitting in the driveway until I can take it to the shop. Like I said, I'm not going to do any trips but I do like using it around town too.

Thanks!

eeek.  well theres two things I could never do to my Valkyrie. 1. leave her out on the driveway OMG and worse   2.  Threaten to take her to the Dealership....NEVER at least not for easy stuff like you have.  You can get a seal cleaning tool (search is your friend) been a couple posts lately, may fix the leaky seal.  The exhaust was a good suggestion and even if your bike needs a valve adjust, thats easy.....been doing those tappets on Hondas since I was 14yrs old.....POC.

[.]

Okay, I've decided you have all talked me into saving myself a couple hundred bucks or more and I've ordered the Risk Racing Seal Doctor, which is more expensive than the Seal Mate but also looks to be pretty fool proof (meaning even a fool like me can probably use it correctly  ).

Once it arrives I'll take a crack at cleaning out the seals and see if that cures the problem. I'm also going to look over any valve adjustment instructions I can find and tackle that job as well.

In the meantime, I'm going to go ahead and leave the Valk parked until the Seal Doctor arrives and ride the ACE, mainly because I do have that option but also because I don't want to risk the chance of getting fork oil on the rotor (there's a little there already so that's gonna need a cleaning) and crashing into somebody and damaging the bike (not to mention damaging my personal body).

Thanks for the help and I'll do a post on how effective the Seal Doctor is. I'll try to remember to take pics as well or maybe even a video (depending on my ambition level when I tackle the job).

[Gary]

Just an added side note, I recently had a ticking noise surface, only to find one of the plug wires somehow was not cleanly seated. This was after climbing under and checking for exhaust leaks, snugging header bolts, etc.

I had also been studying up on cracking the valve covers. Now saved for another day.

[The emperor has no clothes]

So it's easier to take off the whole fender than two fork guards???

It is really no problem working the sealmate around the forks with the fender on.

Yep, give it a try. Lots easier to remove fender. IMHO