hydro lock and starter clutch

[Daviddurtschi]

Hi All, I'm new to this board and Valkyries although I've eyed them for years.  I just picked up a 98 tourer that hasn't been run in many years.  The previous owner thought it might be hydrolocked.  He replaced the starter with no help.  I've removed the plugs, but after many years, obviously it didn't have any gas in the cylinders.  It doesn't have a battery in it now.  The motor turns over freely by turning the crank nut and after taking the valve covers off, all seems clean and good.
My question is, how can I determine if the starter clutch or gear is okay?  I read about taking the starter out and looking in the hole for broken teeth on the gear.  Is this the best way?
Thanks for helping and I can't wait to get this on the road.  It even has a replacement tank that supposedly holds 9 gallons!  the old gas reeks of many years of just sitting.

[hubcapsc]

I think taking off the starter (its a tight fit, but you don't have to
cut the frame  ) and looking down in there will tell you what
you need to know.

A long time ago someone made a big non-metal Valkyrie tank
that people say had problems with leaking...

-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

Congrats on the purchase and Welcome to the forum.

Yes, removing the starter will give you a good idea if gear teeth have been damaged.  Also I can almost guarantee you that bike will require the carb bank to be removed and all six carburetors cleaned out and either new jets or REALLY clean them.  Also if it has been hydrolocked order all new floats and needle valves as these things not working is usually a requirement for a lock.

[Daviddurtschi]

well, it is a big tank and also non metal so that's probably it.  Not leaking yet but I'm thinking that all that weight of 9 gallons of gas might have helped with getting the pet rooster and float valve to leak into the cylinder.  I've got to pull the starter next to check out that nasty gear.
Thanks for the input so far
David

[Cracker Jack]

I believe I'd pull the sparklers and try the starter to make sure the problem is not the starter/solenoid/start button before pulling the starter. Only after convincing myself that these parts are OK would I start taking mechanical parts off.

[hubcapsc]

I believe I'd pull the sparklers and try the starter to make sure the problem is not the starter/solenoid/start button before pulling the starter. Only after convincing myself that these parts are OK would I start taking mechanical parts off.

If there's busted stuff inside, wouldn't it be dangerous to spin
the starter? I hate taking the starter off and putting it back on,
but I'm smiling while I say that...

-Mike "ahh, starters and ujoint boots  "

[Firefighter]

I don't think the larger capacity of the fuel tank would make any difference, the Interstate holds 6.9 gallons. If the petcock is in the same location I wouldn't think there would be a fuel flow problem either as these machines are very temperamental about fuel hose angle (must be down hill).

Unless you really thing something is wrong I would leave the plugs out and try the starter. If it spins the engine you are probably OK. If it was hydrolocked the petcock and the carbs BOTH have problems.

[Gavin_Sons]

when you spin it with the spark plugs out and there are broken teeth on the gears it will sound like a rock in a pop can. 

[gordonv]

Or the engine wont turn over, because there are no teeth to mesh.

I too would remove the plugs, with a battery in the bike, jump start from a know working vehicle, NOT running. You're just using the power from the good battery.

Since it's been sitting that long, how does the gas smell? Bad, then I would drain it from the tank. I would also remove the tank. I would rig some fresh fuel with a good carb cleaner (Berryman B12, approx. 2oz/gal), and try to get some fuel into the carbs, and try to start the bike up.

A pic of bad teeth.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,75883.0/topicseen.html
scroll down

[Daviddurtschi]

well, i decided to take a chance and get a good battery in it, and try to turn it over.  The great news is it turns over (without the plugs in) just fine.  I do hear a click in the starter, probably about every time the broken gear comes around.  tried it several times and always engaged!  I was really worried about the cam belt timing as one of the tensioners was completely loose, but all timing marks were still in line.  Now to clean the carbs and change oil, etc.  and give it a real test.  My fear now is that with the sparkies in, the extra compression may make the starter slip.  thanks for all your help and i'll keep an update.  The gas does smell very bad and I'll just get rid of that.

[Bighead]

well, i decided to take a chance and get a good battery in it, and try to turn it over.  The great news is it turns over (without the plugs in) just fine.  I do hear a click in the starter, probably about every time the broken gear comes around.  tried it several times and always engaged!  I was really worried about the cam belt timing as one of the tensioners was completely loose, but all timing marks were still in line.  Now to clean the carbs and change oil, etc.  and give it a real test.  My fear now is that with the sparkies in, the extra compression may make the starter slip.  thanks for all your help and i'll keep an update.  The gas does smell very bad and I'll just get rid of that.

The starter will not slip if something is hung in the gears it will break. The starter on these monsters are very Strong.