Couple of questions - new owner

[Tx Bohemian]

How do you put a m/c jack under these bikes seeing there is no frame??  Where does it go?

I picked up my '99 standard yesterday and one thing I noticed was this thing leans over a lot on the kickstand.  The seller said it was hit in the front when it was in a p/lot which evidently bent the stand or something under it.  It is really an effort to pick it up off the kickstand.

I need to jack it up to see if there is anything that can be staightened or adjusted.

Also, what should the idle speed be?  This thing idles at around 1200rpm.

Kinda freaks me out going around a corner, it wants to keep going staight. Maybe something I need to get used to.

One more: 
The rear brake drags once it is applied. Happened when I was test driving it a few months ago and as I was bringing this thing home I noticed it was dragging so I was pulling over to the shoulder to check it and I heard a click and it stopped dragging.  I'm thinking since this sat up for a good while (couple years) it maybe something rusted/corroded at the caliper/master cyl. that may be causing it to hang up.  Any thoughts??

[asfltdncr]

Check out shop talk on this same site-home-shop talk.
Left column towards bottom, you'll see "Low-Tech Lift Adapter".


Rear Brake Drag-You might try cleaning the pistons on the caliper.They might have debris on them hanging them up.

[ricoman]

there is a ton of good info in the "shop talk" section of this forum.
figure at least 45 min to scan thru and look for info on the issues you are having.
idle should be 900rpm +/-  100. There is a factory manual availble to download free at "valkyrie Norway". You need that for sure.
The lift adapter is almost a must but you do need to have a bike jack. Until you can jack it up, try bracing it vertically so you can lie down on the cold floor and check out the kickstand.                     having the manual available to look at will be helpful in knowing if something is way out of whack.
If it has been sitting as long as you say, there will be other issues-carbs, fluids (all), etc. Do searches here, you'll find answers to anything you can think to ask about your Valk. Seems evryone here has"been there done that" and all are willing to share experience and help you get answers.
Above all, keep the faith! Whatever glitches you have now you will work thru and problems you solve will result in you having the best motorcycle experience in the world when you get it running right!

[BF]

You have to use a lift adapter to use your motorcycle jack.  

There are roughly three types.....one you make yourself out out 2x4s, one you mount to and leave on the bike, and one you just mount up to the bike when you need to lift it and then take back off before riding.  

There are two different types usually listed on ebay......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-VALKYRIE-HONDA-MOTORCYCLE-NEW-JACK-LIFT-ADAPTER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem27abe1e031QQitemZ170387431473QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

and.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VALKYRIE-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-STURDIEST-STAYS-ON-BIKE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem27abe1e34aQQitemZ170387432266QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I have and use the first on listed....the red one.  

[Hellcat]

Y
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VALKYRIE-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-STURDIEST-STAYS-ON-BIKE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem27abe1e34aQQitemZ170387432266QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I have the stay on bike one. Fairly cheap and I'm quite satisfied with it.

[Hellcat]

Kinda freaks me out going around a corner, it wants to keep going staight. Maybe something I need to get used to.

This is absolutely not the case on my bike.

One more:  
The rear brake drags once it is applied. Happened when I was test driving it a few months ago and as I was bringing this thing home I noticed it was dragging so I was pulling over to the shoulder to check it and I heard a click and it stopped dragging.  I'm thinking since this sat up for a good while (couple years) it maybe something rusted/corroded at the caliper/master cyl. that may be causing it to hang up.  Any thoughts??

This happened to me once on my Vstar and some road gunk had just built up at the brake lever. A little wd-40 fixed it.

[Steve K (IA)]

 On your rear brake...check the "Pin, Bolt" on the caliper.  The Pin, Bolt is #11 in this picture from HDL's parts fiche.
 
http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=148611&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=2000&fveh=3474

This allows the caliper to float.  On mine, in the boss that the pin "floats" in, it was all gummed up.  The only pad making contact with the disc was the one on the piston side.  Made a strange swishing sound going down the road. 

 Locate the idle screw.  It is gray knob between the intake runners on the right side.  Hard to get your fingers in there.  Knock it down to 900 rpm.
 
 Like others said, look into changing the front and rear brake fluid and the fluid for the clutch...all use the same stuff.

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks a bunch fellas, I definatly have to check out the "shop talk".  After I put on a set of risers I was fixing my fog/riding lights turning the key off and on all day checking for current, got that fixed, but now the bike won't start.  Cranks fine but won't start up.  Pulled a plug wire and doesn't seem to be getting spark.

I'll look into the shop talk to see if there is anything there about that.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks a bunch fellas, I definatly have to check out the "shop talk".  After I put on a set of risers I was fixing my fog/riding lights turning the key off and on all day checking for current, got that fixed, but now the bike won't start.  Cranks fine but won't start up.  Pulled a plug wire and doesn't seem to be getting spark.

I'll look into the shop talk to see if there is anything there about that.

You probably ran the battery down...these bikes fool you as they will continue to turn over strong with a weak battery yet there is not enough amps to fire the ignition

[Lyn-Del]

You're near the Houston VRCC group ... I hope we'll get to see you at a meeting or wrench party.

Check out the Texas board for info!!

I'm looking forward to meeting you!

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks a bunch fellas, I definatly have to check out the "shop talk".  After I put on a set of risers I was fixing my fog/riding lights turning the key off and on all day checking for current, got that fixed, but now the bike won't start.  Cranks fine but won't start up.  Pulled a plug wire and doesn't seem to be getting spark.

I'll look into the shop talk to see if there is anything there about that.

You probably ran the battery down...these bikes fool you as they will continue to turn over strong with a weak battery yet there is not enough amps to fire the ignition

I'm glad to hear this and I hope that is what it is.  It does turn over very well in my opinion but being new and all...  I really don't see what I've done would've caused anything except the battery thing, unless I unknowingley disconnected something in the headlight bucket.  I did short out a light fuse so I found out where the fuse box is, good information to have.

[Tx Bohemian]

You're near the Houston VRCC group ... I hope we'll get to see you at a meeting or wrench party.

Check out the Texas board for info!!

I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Yeah, me too!  One reason for buy this bike was the wife and I want to do more traveling, Houston would be a good day trip.

Right now I kinda wish there was a wrench party soon and close!

[Lyn-Del]

We're just off 288 and Hwy 6.  Wizard is working on rebuilding his bike after his wreck and would enjoy company and a different bike to look at! 

We've got a reasonably complete shop (though a mess sometimes!), and Wizard has a lot of years working on Valkyries.   You don't need to wait for an official wrench party, just let us know when (make sure we're not out riding somewhere) and come on down!

[Tx Bohemian]

There is a factory manual availble to download free at "valkyrie Norway". You need that for sure.

Where can I go do get this?

 

Whatever glitches you have now you will work thru and problems you solve will result in you having the best motorcycle experience in the world when you get it running right!

Thanks for the encouragement.  With this board and all the help here I've got a lot of hope.

[ricoman]

Bohemian
go to valkyrienorway.com and scroll down  a bit.
On the left you'll see a "technical" section. There is the manual in pdf.
May take a bit of time to download, but worth getting the info.

[Gary]

FYI - I've never used the lift adapter since I have the hidden air horns mounted underneath near the swingarm. Just the cycle lift strategically placed will do'er.

Good luck with the new toy!

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks a bunch fellas, I definatly have to check out the "shop talk".  After I put on a set of risers I was fixing my fog/riding lights turning the key off and on all day checking for current, got that fixed, but now the bike won't start.  Cranks fine but won't start up.  Pulled a plug wire and doesn't seem to be getting spark.

I'll look into the shop talk to see if there is anything there about that.

You probably ran the battery down...these bikes fool you as they will continue to turn over strong with a weak battery yet there is not enough amps to fire the ignition

This is exactly what it was!!  When you first suggested this I was a bit leary cause I think if I could've put this thing in gear and hit the starter it would've run 30mph down the road it was turning so fast, I thought.

I pulled the pattery out this morning before church and put it on a charger, it had 11.5 volts.  It charged for about 4 hours and had 13.5 when I put it back in and to my amazement, and joy, it started right up!!

Thanks again for all the help, once again this site has come through for me!!  I'm on to the next project, so ya'll hang around, ok?