Bunch of newbie questions...

[pstelter]

Good evening. Now that I have been poking around here for a couple of weeks, I have some real newbie questions.  They are kind of all over the place, so please bear with me...

1.  Are there any mechanical fasteners that hold the side covers on?  I tried to take the right one off yesterday, but it turns out that it has a significant crack along the bottom.  It is absolutely invisible when installed, however, I'm afraid it will break if I try to remove it with too much force.

2.  How often should the carbs be cleaned / synched?  Do I acquire the digi-sync tool?

3.  What is the purpose of desmoging?  Is it something I should do, why or why not?  Would the carbs require re-synching after completion?  (Sorry for the essay question...)

4.  Does anyone have a winterization procedure (draining the carbs, etc.)?

I expect that is enough for now.  Thanks.

- Pete

[97BLKVALK]

Welcome,

1.  There are no mechanical fasteners.  Pull cover from upper rear first.  Be careful on plastic tab on front as this is the weekest spot on side cover.  Install in reverse order.

2.  Hopefully never, but with the ethanol in our gas and the bikes sitting too much this will cause issues in small areas in carbs therefore causing fuel delivery issues.   A good carb clean, sync, little to no ethonal and ride the damn bike. 

3.  Most have done desmog to eliminate vacuum hose leaks and clean up the engine area. 

4.  My winterization is fill the tank with gas and a fuel stabilzer take a short 5 mile ride and park it.  This year will be different as it will be in Attic Rats shop for a spa and revitalization treatment.

Ride it like you stole it.  But dont steal mine.....

Michael

[97BLKVALK]

P.S.  Dont ask what oil people use

[DeathWishBikerDude]

Don't worry,side covers are only $200 each.
Main issue hydro lock,replace with pingel petcock,and or always turn petcock to off.
If it's not broke,dont fix it.
Valve adjustment is more important than worrying about carb sinc.
These bikes run forever with basic maintenance.

[Firefighter]

The side cover has a plastic tab that breaks very easy. There are three different mounting points, the rear side pulls straight out ( just far enough to release from the rubber grommet). The bottom is a flat tongue looking tab that slips into a rubber grommet, it also pulls straight out, eeeeasy! The front tab will break unless you VERY gently wiggle the cover backwards to disengage it from a tab. If its not already broken you will probably break it next time you remove it too fast.

Mine have been broke for years but velcro tape holds it better than new.

Acquire a factory manual, order or download as there are procedures of assembly that MUST be followed when working on this machine. This club/site has a wealth of info and can help you immensely. 

                                                      Welcome!

[Hook#3287]

If you're side cover tabs are/get broken, the Velcro trick works fine.

If she's running good, leave the carbs alone.  Cleaning with B-12 every third or forth tank should help her running good.

Desmog is a personal choice, I've done all of mine.

My winterization process now is, add stabil marine, fill tank, ride home and park her elevated.

[Hooter]

Storing the bike and cleaning the carbs I use 2 different products. Storing I use Sea Foam. Full tank of gas and a half can of Sea Foam.  Run the bike till good and warm or ride a few miles. Wash the bike and put it away with a battery tender on it. That's all for the winter.

Every 3rd or so tank of gas I will add some B12 to the gas. Just ride like I normally do. Never had a problem with my carbs. Great clean while you ride maintenance tool. To each his own. This is what works for me.

Oil...use what you want. "Disclaimer " Not An Oil Thread"

Add your location to your profile. It helps if you have a problem or you might find someone close to you with a Valk.

[hubcapsc]

The side covers and center covers fit together with tabs and
slots, you have to undo them and redo them in the right order
and the right way to ensure that you don't break any
of the tabs or slots. The method is detailed in the owner's
manual.

I jumped on a desmog right when I got my bike. Later, I
helped Stanley Steamer replace his vacuum lines... I don't
think I'd desmog again unless I thought there was something
wrong with the little valve cluster that all the hoses go to...

My strategy is to ride the bike often enough to keep it from
gumming up. I've never touched my carburetors.



-Mike

[MarkT]

On the side covers.  Even being very careful, you will likely break the little tab off in the front corner.  I've found a small hole above it to allow a small wire tie to pass through, is very secure and almost invisible. Leave it loose enough to act as a hinge.  Also, I regularly add wire pulling lube to the 2 rubber grommets.  Wire lube is made of soap or wax, doesn't ruin the rubber, has consistency of hand lotion. You can find it at Grainger or even ebay for $8/qt.  I use it a lot to lube especially rubber things, plastic snap tabs for assembly. Like the fuel line on the petcock. All grommets. You can even use it to lube tire beads - though I use actual tire lube.

Ditto on the seafoam & Berryman's B12.  I desmogged all my Valks to be done with it once and for all. Once your carbs are sync'd they should stay that way for quite some time. Keeping the valves adjusted is needed more often. Do install a Dan-Marc fuel solenoid - pretty easy, inexpensive, great for peace of mind.  I wrote an article on it - http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Fuel_Shutoff/fuel_shutoff.html  I recommend the larger 1/4" orifice one esp. if you pull a trailer.  Pay attention to keeping the fuel line downhill, no high spots or loops in the line.

Use the search function for any questions you come up with.  It's pretty much for sure your question has been addressed here over the 18 years our site has been up.