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Chrisj CMA
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« on: July 06, 2014, 03:48:48 PM » |
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OK, Summer is heating up. Apparently we found out that riding a Valkyrie in the summer-time can be a "heated" experience without that dang blasted Air Dam. If any of you had a reason to remove the air dam, the thick plastic piece that sits just in front of the carburetors and gave up trying to replace it only to find out you get roasted in traffic on a hot summer day. Well I just put one back in and it wasn't that fun but it was doable if you know a couple tricks.
Ok first you need to remove the radiator...that's pretty obvious. Next you need to remove the buzz bolt and the crossmember tube it sits in. (hint...the bolt just forward of the buzz bolt that goes through a short part of the frame secures a flange that holds the buzz bolt tube in place, loosen one and the tube can be removed) Lastly you need to remove the upper radiator hose that connects to the thermostat housing.
Ok, now you are ready for the installation of the dreaded air dam.
First orient that plastic piece, it has a bulge in the center that is for the thermostat housing. so that plastic piece goes behind the thermostat and then the wings poke out just in front of the carb banks on either side. You can bend and force and fight and push and grunt and groan and cuss and pitch a fit, and the best you will get is about 75%. This is where you get the heat gun out. A hairdryer might substitute, but I doubt it gets hot enough. Use the heat gun to soften the plastic where it obviously needs to bend to make it around the frame and then work fast. Force it into place and then you can breathe. Its not fun but it can be done.
It took maybe an hour but we got it in just right.
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art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
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« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2014, 03:52:32 PM » |
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I took my dam out but I haven't had any problems with heat but then I live in Or. not Az.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2014, 04:09:32 PM » |
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Why do you guys take it out to begin with?
We redid the gaskets on the water pipes on top of the engine, that thing was just plain IN THE WAY It was just as hard to get out as it was to get back in...lol |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2014, 04:22:31 PM » |
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Why do you guys take it out to begin with?
We redid the gaskets on the water pipes on top of the engine, that thing was just plain IN THE WAY It was just as hard to get out as it was to get back in...lol thanks for the tip  |
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Robert
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« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2014, 06:02:46 PM » |
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Thanks Chris I had always thought about taking that out. I guess I will forget about that idea.  |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2014, 04:52:53 PM » |
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I often wonder, if you got another one and cut them both with a 1/2 inch over lay, then zip tye them together, if it would be easier to remove and install. Or maybe just cut the one you have w/o overlap.
Some day just might try it.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2014, 06:53:42 PM » |
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I often wonder, if you got another one and cut them both with a 1/2 inch over lay, then zip tye them together, if it would be easier to remove and install. Or maybe just cut the one you have w/o overlap.
Some day just might try it.
Hook, I thought of that too, however, any significant break in that flat piece is going to let the hot air through and defeat the whole purpose of having it. Don't cut it, it will be almost like not even having it |
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nogrey
Member
Posts: 939
Live every day as if it were your last
Nampa, Idaho
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« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2014, 09:20:08 AM » |
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Dam air dam!  I am restoring another Valk. I took the air dam out yesterday, but I have the carbs and tank off so was an easy thing to do. I'll put it back in before installing the carb bank. It's really easy to get on and off that way. |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2014, 09:26:20 AM » |
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Dam air dam! I am restoring another Valk. I took the air dam out yesterday, but I have the carbs and tank off so was an easy thing to do. I'll put it back in before installing the carb bank. It's really easy to get on and off that way. Well, yeah.....wasn't going to suggest anyone remove the carb bank to re-install the dam thing. Without a heat gun or putting the whole thing in the kitchen oven for a few minutes its really really hard to bend it as much as you need to to get it in there |
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BradValk48237
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« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2014, 10:21:09 AM » |
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I cheated and cut it in half..... drilled holes to zip tie back together.... not much of a gap and it will stay inlace even if you do not tie it together....
Brad
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R J
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Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2014, 10:31:06 AM » |
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Super glue or Gorilla Glue both work great on plastic.......... I know it is not plastic, it is another product that the name of has left me in the dust.
So, I call it plastic.
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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