Hurrice Help Info - Bike underwater - Houston, Pasadena

[mnray]

Not sure if I am on the right message site, but I'm trying to contact Valkyrie owners in and around Houston.  I have a 2001 GL1500 that I sent to a new shop.  The young man was just starting out and rented a drive through carwash building next to a station.  He said he worked on bikes  I sent the bike over for a carburetor job.  He kept it for over three months.  He put the carbs back, but didn't connect throttle, - removed the gas tank and said he put in a new liner, it is now full of rust and he didn't even hook it back up.  I tried to fill with gas and it poured out, he didn't connect the fuel lines or vent line. Plus the fuel tank now has bubbles all over the paint job.  It is as if it was an internal chemical reaction and bubbled from underneath.  When I picked up the bike on Friday and since I'm 66 he and a friend said they would load it on my trailer.  He said he just sprayed it down so from a distance it looked like water beads.
Anyway, I had no electrical and a friend showed me how to trace.   We determined that the alternator must have sat underwater and shorted out.  I have voltage going in but not out.  We did bypass and hotwired to turn the engine over, it did, but would not start of course, because no fuel connected
   I need answers, and hopefully in the right area of this site, if not please let me know.  I live in the South Houston, Pasadena, Texas area.   (1).  it looks like I would have to drop the engine then remove the alternator (2001, GL1500).  Will I have to drop the engine?  Any idea a rough estimate on the cost of an alternator?  Is it just a regular Honda type that I could buy at a dealer.  Where can I buy a new gas tank (Full of rust now)?  Also anyone ever had an alternator replaced?  Looking for just a rough estimate of what that expense would be?  It was a beautiful bike and I had a sidecar conncted to it.  I was in the process of the carb job then I was going to put it up for Sale.  Now, I don't know to invest more money.  I do have a little time, evenings and some weekends to "Do it yourself" but I would need someone showing/telling me what to do.  Plus I don't have a A-frame or rolling lift to remove the engine.  I do have a warehouse to make the repair.   Anway, I'm at a loss as to repair with the cost and then if I would ge anything out of it.  Which brings me to anyother question.  Any idea what a 2001 GL1500 might go for on the used market?  Any help or direction would be appreciated.  Again, if I'm in the wrong area on this site please let me know.  My name is Mike I'm at mnray@aol.com

[Valker]

Alternator can be replaced without removing the engine. All can be done from top.

[mnray]

Thanks for the info.  Good to hear I don;'t have to drop the engine.  I just took a quick look.  So does that mean that I unbolt the alternator, then unbolt whatever it was bolted too?  I unbolted the alternator the other day, but assumed there was a shaft or something going into the back part of the engine to engage.   I've never done this, would there be a manual or something that I could buy that would give instructions?
Thanks again. 

[Disco]

I'm not sure if videos exist, but I'd start by searching YouTube.  If nothing there, a general web search for Valkyrie Alternator Replacement will surely yield some write-ups.

[mnray]

Thanks Disco.  I appreciate the direction.  I found one on youtube from a British man working on his GL1500 Goldwing.  Hopefully, it's basically the same engine and alternator.  I assume it might be since it's Honda.    I guess at 66 years old, I'm going to take up and become a part time bike mechanic.

[RainMaker]

If salt water got into the alternator, then it got into other things as well.  You may (probably do) have salt water in the drive train/pumpkin if this was a result of high water and Harvey.   Did this "mechanic" tell you how high the water got?  Find out.

Whoever this "mechanic" was - did you give him permission to line the tank?  Was the tank rusty when you took the bike to him?  Sounds like he owes you a new tank.

If mine, I'd change the oil and filter, take the pumpkin/rear drive out and clean it up, re-grease and then replace the final drive oil, clean the driveshaft and u-joint.

Rocketman had a Valkyrie that was flooded a few years ago and he might have other tips.  I do know he bought another Valkyrie after that.  He is also an expert alternator replacement guy.

If you have insurance on the bike, you might just let them settle with you because this is not likely to be an inexpensive repair and with possible salt water contamination, the parts might be difficult to sell if you decided to part it out.

RainMaker

[Pete]

Bubbles on the outside of the tank could indicate:
1. Pinholes thru the tank from tank rusting. Tank probably not repairable.
2. Tank was cleaned by electrically charge to a sodium solution to long and the electricity bubbled the paint.

Since the tank has rusted again, it must be repaired/repainted or replaced.
Cleaned, coated, repaired and painted $500+ and up.
Replaced new $1400+ unless you can find a clean used replacement $300+.

[mnray]

Thank you Pete for the info.

[mnray]

Thanks Rainmaker for the adivce.   This so called mechanic, no insurance.  Tried to open a shop on a shoe string.  Of course, that can be done if you know how to "mechanic"  He didn't.  I'm stuck with the loss.  No need to try to sue him, he doesn't have anything.  So, I  can either learn to really work on the bike or  try to sell it for scrap.   Either way I've kind of lost.  He said he didn't get high water, but if the alternator shorted out I'll take your advice on the trans.   He said he had the tank off, sitting on the floor.

[RainMaker]

Other than the alternator shorted out, is there any other indication of this being underwater?  Alternators go out without being wet - they just short out.  So, it may never have been in water.  That would be good and all you will need is a used tank and a new alternator - or take the alternator out and let a local shop rewind it for you.

It's really hard to tell with what we know.  For sure, you need another tank.  Check ebay and the classified ads on the forum for one.  If the tank is rusted, your petcock is toast as well so plan on getting a new one of those.

Once you find another tank, you should tell the "mechanic" to pay for it, even if he has nothing, or you will take him to small claims court to recover for the cost of the tank and any other costs you have to incur to get the bike running again.  Then the courts will help you collect.  I'm sure he'll find the money for the tank.

[RainMaker]

I have a black Tourer tank that is rusty inside and it has a little ding in it but it doesn't leak and it doesn't have any bubbles in it.  You pay the shipping from Arlington and it's yours - then you have to clear out the rust or line the tank.  Sounds like it's in a lot better shape than yours, though. 

RainMaker

[Rocketman]

I'd be happy to help you pull the alternator.  I can't read your post real carefully right now, but it sounds like you have a lot of other problems going on, too. 

[franco6]

How many years has it been sitting ?   

[Rocketman]

Come to dinner tonight at Ninfa's, and we'll talk about it.