1500 Hydro Lock question

[Bad Andy]

Hey guys,

so, I was kind of depressed, and wanted to cheer myself up by getting Dad's bike running again. The carb floats were clearly stuck and gummed up, but she ran. I put a different hose on the fuel overflow to relocate the dripping fuel off to the side of the bike away from all the hot engine and exhaust.  Large fire extinguisher in the open saddle bag, drove bike up and down the interstate pushing fresh fuel through to clear things out.      It totally worked, and she was purring like a kitten, but along the way, I now know that she got hydro locked several times. There were no indications except a little fuel coming out the weep hole in the exhaust every now and again.  I think I did some progressive damage and after 3 days of lots of starts, I broke all the gears in the starting system.
....only then did i look up the forums and learn about the Hydro lock phenomenon.
Now I'm even more depressed.   I just put on a $300 center stand !
I am a mechanic and machinist. I am more than qualified to fix this bike, but I'm a beaten dog at this point and dont have the time or energy to devote to this project.
I know that the bike runs great.....  so here is my big question:
with all the chunks of broken gears layin it the engine case, is it safe to run this engine if I push start it ?   or will they get caught up in stuff and do more damage ?
not only did I break teeth off of all the gears, but one small gear broke the casting on the rear case cover.  I wanna drive the bike up the hill by my house to wash her off befor selling , and maybe to make her run to show perspective buyers.....
Bonus questions.... whats a hydrolocked Valkerie interstate worth ? 2000 with 63k miles. in eastern Pa.  fair condition.
second bonus question  .....   is it me ?  or is this a TERRIBLE engineering flaw ?  I've heard of hydrolock before, but never as a routine problem .  it was always some unusual set of circumstances like accidentally scooping some water while driving at speed , or a barn roof leaked and water got in a tractor exhaust or something weids like that.....

thanks for any input fellas'

andrew

https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/14291684_10154366763907860_700369919795412819_n.jpg?oh=1f975cbe380476796deecf8d2d084045&oe=583E5BD9

[Bad Andy]

how do I add an image ?  I clicked on the  insert image button , but then what ?

[Valker]

First, bummer about the incidents. The broken stuff will not do good things to the engine if you start it. You will be FAR ahead on selling it for a decent price if you replace the broken stuff yourself. Like it sits, it's not worth much. If you just set it aside, it will be worth even less. It is not so much an engineering flaw as it is the fact that not many engines out there use six carbs. The only thing that seems to hurt these bikes is not being ridden enough. I consider mine fairly low mileage at 147,000 since I bought it in 1999. Never had a single carb issue.

[mark81]

I "stole" your image only way I know to post pictures is with a photobucket link

[Bad Andy]

Great Job Mark !  Thanks !

[gordonv]

What can I add. An IS is worth about as much as you ask for it, and as much as someone will pay. Not really an answer.

Lets say $5-6K. Less needing repairs, what I'll call major. You need a new rear case and then all the replacement pieces for the broken ones. A shop would remove the engine. It has been done while still mounted.

As for running with the broken pieces still in the case. Do you really want too? They should stay in the rear section, the oil passage has a screen, but there is no guaranty.

What would I pay for a non running IS, with a known problem, and all the other possible problems, along with also fixing the reason for the hydro lock in the 1st place? Not nearly as much as you would want for it, would be a fair assumption.

What might/would make it more valuable is all the unobtainium that might be on the bike.

[SpidyJ]

You can do it Andy!!  Take it one step at a time and b4 you know it you will have a whole Phat Girl again.

Stealer will cost you >$ 2k to fix.

 

[Hook#3287]

I'd fix it, if I was in your position.

You have the experience, just take your time, ask questions here, next spring have a great bike to ride.