engine heat distribution

[turtle254]

does the left side of the engine get hot first on start up, I mean really hot to the touch?

[Chrisj CMA]

does the left side of the engine get hot first on start up, I mean really hot to the touch?

If one side of the engine gets way hotter than the other faster at start up, that sounds like a problem to me.

[turtle254]

Any ideal what it might be, because it does.

Anyone know of a good shop around Houston, to do a tune up on the carburetor's

[Chrisj CMA]

Any ideal what it might be, because it does.

Anyone know of a good shop around Houston, to do a tune up on the carburetor's

If you want help you have to help us!  How long have you had the bike, new problem?  Checked coolant?  Recent maintenance? How many miles?

[Roidfingers]

Year make model? Are you mechanically inclined?

[Chrisj CMA]

Year make model? Are you mechanically inclined?

Lol. I guess I assumed we were talking about a Honda Valkyrie

[turtle254]

1998 standard  Just got it ... has been sitting up for awhile
5700 mi only . Ran techron cleaner thru carbs, and runs fine
does not show cooling light on. After awhile both sides or hot.
Just thought it was strange one side got hot long before the other.
Maybe all Valkyrie do?

[mrgeoff]

Just a thought...I think if it was me, I would flush out the radiator...Just remember that when you get ready to put in new antifreeze, use distilled water to flush out before adding antifreeze...!!!
Hope it is this simple to solve your concern...!!! Good Luck...!!! And let us know what you find...It helps everyone here...!!!

[Pete]

Check the choke (enrichner) 1 side may not be working right (broke cable, mal adjusted). In this case usually the right side is not enriching and the left is. Left hot, right warm.

[The emperor has no clothes]

1998 standard  Just got it ... has been sitting up for awhile
5700 mi only . Ran techron cleaner thru carbs, and runs fine
does not show cooling light on. After awhile both sides or hot.
Just thought it was strange one side got hot long before the other.
Maybe all Valkyrie do?

No. Probably partially clogged jets or bad choke linkage.

[Chrisj CMA]

While cold remove the left side cover and the radiator cap. Fluid should be up to the top at the radiator and at the cold line in the overflow container.  Be careful not to open (like a door) the side cover very far or you will break the mounting tabs.

[turtle254]

1998 standard  Just got it ... has been sitting up for awhile
5700 mi only . Ran techron cleaner thru carbs, and runs fine
does not show cooling light on. After awhile both sides or hot.
Just thought it was strange one side got hot long before the other.
Maybe all Valkyrie do?

No. Probably partially clogged jets or bad choke linkage.

Checked choke and fine (no choke used in texas right now), so if both sides are to be the same in warm up stage, then I must have a carb problem.

[Moonshot_1]

does the left side of the engine get hot first on start up, I mean really hot to the touch?

Not a mechanic. Reading the posts. Have a question.

Are you sitting on the bike when you start it up or is the bike on it's side stand?
I am assuming the bike is running well in all other respects, correct?
If on it's side stand when at idle, I would tend to think the hot oil would pool on the left side. It would circulate through the engine but the now hot oil in the pan would pool towards the left making the left side heat up a bit faster because there is just more hot oil on that side.

To me, the fact that you noticed this at all would indicate the bike being on the side stand.
When I start my bike I'm well on the road before it can heat up too much. I wouldn't notice such a heat difference unless my bike was running without me on it and on it's side stand.

[gordonv]

Also the rad cap has a lock screw, mark sure it's loosened before you forcefully turn it.

I think you need to clarify how long a long time is?

To me, the fact that you noticed this at all would indicate the bike being on the side stand.
When I start my bike I'm well on the road before it can heat up too much. I wouldn't notice such a heat difference unless my bike was running without me on it and on it's side stand.

Like Moonshot, I would never notice, I'm out riding 10-30 sec later.

[The emperor has no clothes]

1998 standard  Just got it ... has been sitting up for awhile
5700 mi only . Ran techron cleaner thru carbs, and runs fine
does not show cooling light on. After awhile both sides or hot.
Just thought it was strange one side got hot long before the other.
Maybe all Valkyrie do?

No. Probably partially clogged jets or bad choke linkage.

Checked choke and fine (no choke used in texas right now), so if both sides are to be the same in warm up stage, then I must have a carb problem.

Probably, but it would still be a good idea to remove the chrome carb linkage covers and check that the linkage is working both sides equally.

[turtle254]

Done that(choke linkage) ... bike is up right in chock, also exhaust is much hotter
on left side.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There was a post a little while back of the float springs being weakened on the left side due to the lean of the bike. It let the floats not shut off fully. Could be that's what's going on here. I'll see if I can find the post.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I misremembered it a little. But here is the thread. Down about half way Leathel describes the issues with his left side carbs. May not be your issue, but worth looking in to.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,93751.msg946332.html#msg946332

[Tfrank59]

 That's good Meathead, clearly this has something to do with the lean of the bike on the side stand. There's also a thread in here somewhere about it smoking a little bit more on the left side due to the lean. Although my first thought was the guys were on track about the choke linkage but I guess it checks out.