New to Honda. 2001 Valkarie

[FrankCapps]

Just purchased.  Has 48,000 + miles.  Two issues:  1. It idles at 1,000 - seems too fast (?), 2. Gears really clunk when I shift.  Seller says is normal.  I come from Yamaha Stars, so I have no clue what is acceptable.  Clutch is smooth on release, but shifting up bothers me.

[Daniel Meyer]

These are clunky gears...on upshift preload the shifter a bit (upward pressure) and as you clutch it, go firm and fast.

They are big, square-cut gears.

I idle mine at 1000...just so my alternator will supply full load for my lights and the cooling fan on the rare occasions I get stuck in traffic.

I don't idle much

If you want to bring it down the adjustment is a thumb screw between the carbs on the right side. I think the spec is 800-1000 but I don't actually recall.

Also possible there are vacuum leaks causing it...check the vacuum lines, particularly where they attach to the manifolds...and ya may want to do a vacuum test on your petcock.

[The emperor has no clothes]

In my experience all my Yamahas have been the smoothest shifters. And Valkyries the clunkiest. I run my idle at 900, but Daniel has a good point and I might switch. But like he says, little time at idle. If you don't have Hiway pegs I'd recommend them. Other than that everything else is gravy. I think you'll like it. 

[Chrisj CMA]

900-1000 is what the maual calls for, it only sounds fast you will get used to it.

It helps for shifts to get the rpms a little higher and also not to roll the throttle all the way back during the shift. Just back it off a hair shift and get back on it.  Lots smoother that way.

Oh, and welcome to the club

[old2soon]

Welcome to the insanity and our little corner of th sand box.  Wait til ya hear da gear whine around 45 M P H or so. Also when yer cruisin bout 70 M P H or so and ya roll on the throttle. NO frikkin need to down shift here. These will pull in 5th from 30 M P H just don't do it all the time. Hold the throttle W F O in 2nd or 3d til ya hit the chip. You WILL Know when ya hit the chip-she'll start stumblin. If yer gittin a lot of poppin and fartin on decal might wanna consider a desmog. Again-welcome. RIDE SAFE.

[Gideon]

Welcome to a Great forum. 
I recommend that you change your oil and use Shell Rotella-T6 Synthetic 5W-40 Oil.
It is heavy-duty diesel oil marketed for diesel trucks, however, it has found popularity with many Valkyrie owners as well. The lack of "friction modifiers" means it does not interfere with wet clutch operations.
I found shifting to be smother using Rotella-T6. 
 

[Bighead]

VALKYRIE!!!!

[Fazer]

+1 on the Rotella.  WalMart has it as do all the AutoZone, O'Reilly etc.

[northernvalk]

Welcome to a Great forum. 
I recommend that you change your oil and use Shell Rotella-T6 Synthetic 5W-40 Oil.
It is heavy-duty diesel oil marketed for diesel trucks, however, it has found popularity with many Valkyrie owners as well. The lack of "friction modifiers" means it does not interfere with wet clutch operations.
I found shifting to be smother using Rotella-T6. 
 

Been using T6 for five years....excellent product.

[cookiedough]

Welcome to a Great forum. 
I recommend that you change your oil and use Shell Rotella-T6 Synthetic 5W-40 Oil.
It is heavy-duty diesel oil marketed for diesel trucks, however, it has found popularity with many Valkyrie owners as well. The lack of "friction modifiers" means it does not interfere with wet clutch operations.
I found shifting to be smother using Rotella-T6. 
 

that rotella t6 5w-40 is what I am switching to on both Valkyries and my 1997 honda magna heard good results as well and for 1 gallon jug under 20 bucks being under 5 bucks per qt. sure beats me spending 45 bucks on 4 quarts of amsoil 10w-40 oil I have been using the past 7+ years owning it.

yah, idle it down a smidge once at normal operating temps but 1000 rpms is fine as well. I find my 2001 Valk Interstate likes 900-1000 rpms since below 800 likes to stall which is what it was at when I bought it so bumped it up to near 1000 rpms seems to idle better/easier.  does not take much adjustment.  My 1998 Valkyrie std./tourer though idles fine even down to say 600-700 rpms no problems sputtering, very odd but each Valk is different in terms of tolerances just a smidge.  My Valk I/S also takes more choke when cold or setting overnight or days running full choke longer than my 1998 std/tourer does not require as much choke nor as long to keep it running smoothly when cold startups.

[northernvalk]

my magna really liked the rotella when I switched. seemed to warm up faster and build RPM easier