Looking for Ace Mechanic in SE Michigan

[valksteve]

My 1999 Valkyrie with 31k miles has started misfiring/stumbling slightly around 2000-2500 rpm.
This is not so bad as to be dangerous, just annoying and not right.

I fear that it might be time for a carb rebuild, cleaning, and synch on this now 16 year old bike.

I'm looking for a highly recommended mechanic, probably someone old enough to have mastered carbs back in the day.  Nearby dealers are Motorcity (Andersons) in Bloomfield Hills, Honda in Warren, and Vehicle City in Flint.

My bike has been desmogged, and installed Audiovox real cruise control with alterations to vacuum tubes with 1 way valves.  I fear many mainstream techs will immediately blame the desmog or cruise.   I need someone who can look past this, and really think, not just follow factory decision tree.

Any suggestions for recommended mechanics?

Thanks

[Gavin_Sons]

look for another member near you. Members on here will be the best mechanics you will find for these bikes.

[old2soon]

Best carb guy here is Atticrat-BUT he resides in Tulsa Ok.  Can you spell-ROAD TRIP?  RIDE SAE.

[fudgie]

Sounds like you need some seafoam or 2 in the tank. There is a lot of members near you.

[Skinhead]

My 1999 Valkyrie with 31k miles has started misfiring/stumbling slightly around 2000-2500 rpm.
This is not so bad as to be dangerous, just annoying and not right.

I fear that it might be time for a carb rebuild, cleaning, and synch on this now 16 year old bike.

I'm looking for a highly recommended mechanic, probably someone old enough to have mastered carbs back in the day.  Nearby dealers are Motorcity (Andersons) in Bloomfield Hills, Honda in Warren, and Vehicle City in Flint.

My bike has been desmogged, and installed Audiovox real cruise control with alterations to vacuum tubes with 1 way valves.  I fear many mainstream techs will immediately blame the desmog or cruise.   I need someone who can look past this, and really think, not just follow factory decision tree.

Any suggestions for recommended mechanics?

Thanks

Valksteve, I live near 16 & Rochester.  Where are you? 

[valksteve]

Skinhead, I'm in the square mile bounded by Crooks and Coolidge, South Blvd and Square Lake.
I ride with a group of HD guys.   We go to breakfast, park our bikes at the curb, and inevitably passers-by stop and gawk at my Valk, questions, compliments, wow.
This drives the HD guys crazy...fun!

So, Can you recommend a good wrench?

Thanks

[BradValk48237]

Steve,

Brad here, I'm in Oak Park......

Ive used American Wings in Wayne before, but I've heard their quality has gone down.. they specialize in Wings n Valks... I used them for years, but last time they left the bike greasy... Others here can chime in, but their pricing was very reasonable. I had an 85 Wing that needed a stator a long while back and they did it for half the price of the local dealers.  But the business was sold to another about 5 years ago and thats the last time I used them. (If they are even still in business)

Momz on here recommended a guy in Belleville for Valks.. he has had real good luck and service with Him.. if I need service in the Future, I think I may try him... don't remember his name though.

But if you are the least mechanically inclined and have the tools, doing the cars is not that bad as there is a lot of info here with Videos and Pictures to help you out. I did one last year and it wasn't that bad, just took time. I also do all my own regular maint. as most things are pretty easy with the hints and info on here. I have learned a TON since joining the board.

Like others have said, try some Seafoam, Techtron, or Berrymans fuel system cleaners... if the jets are just a little plugged it can make a world of difference as many here will attest... Myself, I got all new jets when I did my carbs, after several treatments did not work well. But this is a cheap possible fix.

These beasts do best when ridden and don't like to sit..... once you get it fixed , keep it moving...LOL

Lastly, you will see a lot of things about noises, problems, etc. on here, and might think something HAS to be wrong with your ride.... but the majority of the guys here have years of trouble free riding. So don't worry about a lot of the noises you hear.. you will find they are normal... the dang motor is just so quiet, you tend to hear things that you don't on other bikes.... Ride it like you stole it and it will be better in the long run.

Look forward to seeing you around.

B

[Skinhead]

Skinhead, I'm in the square mile bounded by Crooks and Coolidge, South Blvd and Square Lake.
I ride with a group of HD guys.   We go to breakfast, park our bikes at the curb, and inevitably passers-by stop and gawk at my Valk, questions, compliments, wow.
This drives the HD guys crazy...fun!

So, Can you recommend a good wrench?

Thanks

Ill be glad to take a look at it, see if we can get you going.   How many miles on it?

[Momz]

Steve,

Brad here, I'm in Oak Park......

Ive used American Wings in Wayne before, but I've heard their quality has gone down.. they specialize in Wings n Valks... I used them for years, but last time they left the bike greasy... Others here can chime in, but their pricing was very reasonable. I had an 85 Wing that needed a stator a long while back and they did it for half the price of the local dealers.  But the business was sold to another about 5 years ago and thats the last time I used them. (If they are even still in business)

Momz on here recommended a guy in Belleville for Valks.. he has had real good luck and service with Him.. if I need service in the Future, I think I may try him... don't remember his name though.

But if you are the least mechanically inclined and have the tools, doing the cars is not that bad as there is a lot of info here with Videos and Pictures to help you out. I did one last year and it wasn't that bad, just took time. I also do all my own regular maint. as most things are pretty easy with the hints and info on here. I have learned a TON since joining the board.

Like others have said, try some Seafoam, Techtron, or Berrymans fuel system cleaners... if the jets are just a little plugged it can make a world of difference as many here will attest... Myself, I got all new jets when I did my carbs, after several treatments did not work well. But this is a cheap possible fix.

These beasts do best when ridden and don't like to sit..... once you get it fixed , keep it moving...LOL

Lastly, you will see a lot of things about noises, problems, etc. on here, and might think something HAS to be wrong with your ride.... but the majority of the guys here have years of trouble free riding. So don't worry about a lot of the noises you hear.. you will find they are normal... the dang motor is just so quiet, you tend to hear things that you don't on other bikes.... Ride it like you stole it and it will be better in the long run.

Look forward to seeing you around.

B

As Brad said, there is but one guy that I'd recommend. That is Nick of "Nick and Neal's Pro Powersports" in Bellville, MI. (734) 699-1180

But seriously, it sounds like you may just need to run two doses of Berrymans B12 Chemtool with to consecutive tanks of gas and try to stay below 3000 rpm. That will certainly be the most cost effective start to fixing your issues. Berrymans can be purchaced at your local "AutoZone" for less than 5 bucks a can (good for two tank fulls).

Good luck Steve and welcome to the "sandbox"
Momz

[valksteve]

Brad, Skinhead, and Momz thanks a lot for the tips and a contact with phone number.

We know these problems start with the shi#&ie ethanol fuel sold around here.  Then force it thru 6 very small pilot jets and that's a recipe for trouble.

I have been routinely treating my gas with Seafoam before winter storage, the n draining tank in spring and burning that old gas in my cage.  I didn't expect fueling problems to creep up in August.  I ran the Valk 4000 miles to MO, AR, TX, LA, AL etc in May and it ran great.   Now the Valk has been sitting while I ran the Street Glide out to Black Hills etc in early August.

So I fueled with 10 oz of Seafoam and 5 gallons of Shell regular, have putzed around at 2000 rpm for about 50 miles, and the sputtering/coughing/missing has smoothed right out.  So maybe the mechanic needed here was poured out of a can.

Again, thanks, you make me feel very welcome here.  I'm printing off that phone in Belleville and will save for future reference.

[BradValk48237]

The other easy things to check is the carb boots.. all 12 or so connections... when those clamps get loose they can cause issues...

The other 2 simple checks are the dreaded Petcock issues.... a pin hole in the diaphragm can cause all kinds of weird stuff... and the vent line on the gas tank... its easily bent and can fully or partially collapse.bend and cause more weird stuff with out stopping the bike.....

Been there , Done that on all these issues.. no have relatively few issues for the last year or so.

B

[rugguy]

The stumble could be something as easy as leaky vacuum lines. The hoses don't last forever regardless of mileage. I have done the carbs on my Valk twice myself with basic tools, patience, online videos and the most important tool...beer. I am in Royal Oak if you need help. If you do them yourself, be sure to replace all o-rings. Especially fuel and air rail o-rings as well as the intake runner o-rings. I am in Royal Oak if you need any help. Not an ace mechanic, just a Valk lover who likes to do things himself.