Not so new 97 Valkyrie

[Timbox]

After much research and test riding, I decided to pick up a 97 Valkyrie.  The main factors were the comfort and ease of riding along with the engines track record of being almost bulletproof.
DSCN0001 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
She has 76K miles on her and when I test road her I could tell she needed help.  I am a long time wrencher and have worked on metric bikes for 30 + yrs.  Have never owned a Valkyrie before this was a interesting and enjoyable change in my riding style.  I just sold a 1996 BMW R1100GS that I had turned into Mad Max type of bike.  Removed over 40 lbs of top weight removing the ABS and so many other things.  You talk about a top heavy bike, that bike would throw you in a hart beat taking off on a sharp turn.

As you can see from the pic the PO did the desmog and I found out later on also has fully drilled the baffles.  There was some interesting wiring going on with a relay for the horn, nice and loud so I like that.
DSCN0005 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
DSCN0006 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
DSCN0009 by Tim Brown, on Flickr

Front fender damage PO said it tipped over on a trailor.  Can't see any other damage besides a little crease on the right side of the tank.
DSCN0003 by Tim Brown, on Flickr 
I have to say that these carbs are almost a joy to work on!  Having worked on Honda V65's and Yam Seca and Maxim, not only easy for the most part to remove but the engineering of them was nice to see.  I had three jets plugged when I got in there and a little slug i the bottom of two carbs.  Nothing was green or too nasty but needed a cleaning.
I also removed the petcock and made sure that was clean, there was a lot of oil residue under the tank, but found out it was from the crank vent hose being off the back of the air box. 
For now I just want to get her back on the road in a safe riding condition.  I am waiting on brake pads in the mail as the front pads were almost gone.  I am not sure how much maint the PO had ever done to the old gal?  The oil seemed to be the only thing that was clean on the bike. 

Carbs cleaned and bench sync
Valves were all very tight and are now in spec
Wiring all sorted out, relay secured
Plugs cleaned and gap in spec
Plug boots cleaned and treated with a little mystery oil
Flushed front and back brakes
Removed nasty sticker from both sides of gas tank
Flushed gas tank and checked for dirt and rust, got lucky tank is in good shape

Well for now that is what I have, she is all put together again beside the front calibers are off, waiting on brake pads.  Any and all advice on what to look for that I might have missed please feel free.
 

[Bighead]

Check the final Drive gears. That is the weakest spot on the Valkyrie IMHO. Although with proper maintenance they will last a long time. Mine are at 90-95% at 125k miles.

[gordonv]

Since you went over it so much, there is a drain hole from the bottom of the spark plug hole to the underside of the head, so any water can get out.

The rear drive lubrication is something that doesn't get done properly at a shop, so you may want to remove the rear wheel and go over the drive line points (Shoptalk has a how-to by ChrisJ)

[CoreyP]

Shaft drive service. I would take off the back wheel and check the whole thing out, new gaskets and lube. It's a big thing on a shaft drive bike to run forever. It's not something that needs to be done very often but with a new to you bike I would at least check it, is it lube etc. I bought an 1100 Shadow 1999 and when I took the back wheel off there was zero lube on anything. Scary part was everything was rusted but in good shape. I lubed it up etc. and it was running great. Bought my Valkyrie and the back end looked like it just came out of the factory.  Hopefully that's what yours looks like.

[Timbox]

Those are two good points I will have to look over. The drain holes for sure, there seems to be rust on the 5 & 6 plugs, I would guess from plugged drain holes from those plugs.  That should be interesting to find the holes and clean.

Thanks for the feedback.

[yrunvs]

Shaft drive service. I would take off the back wheel and check the whole thing out, new gaskets and lube. It's a big thing on a shaft drive bike to run forever. It's not something that needs to be done very often but with a new to you bike I would at least check it, is it lube etc. I bought an 1100 Shadow 1999 and when I took the back wheel off there was zero lube on anything. Scary part was everything was rusted but in good shape. I lubed it up etc. and it was running great. Bought my Valkyrie and the back end looked like it just came out of the factory.  Hopefully that's what yours looks like.

I just pulled my drive shaft and lubed it up how often does that need to be done?

[hubcapsc]

Shaft drive service. I would take off the back wheel and check the whole thing out, new gaskets and lube. It's a big thing on a shaft drive bike to run forever. It's not something that needs to be done very often but with a new to you bike I would at least check it, is it lube etc. I bought an 1100 Shadow 1999 and when I took the back wheel off there was zero lube on anything. Scary part was everything was rusted but in good shape. I lubed it up etc. and it was running great. Bought my Valkyrie and the back end looked like it just came out of the factory.  Hopefully that's what yours looks like.

I just pulled my drive shaft and lubed it up how often does that need to be done?

Every tire. If you use a tractor tire, then at least every 10,000 miles... my
driveshaft/pinion-cup seal came out once in just a few thousand miles, and Britman
just reported that his came out recently... that's something that should probably be
changed out with some regularity...



-Mike

[Madmike]

look up paintless dent removal and you may be able to pull the dint in the tank, tools on amazon.

[yrunvs]

Shaft drive service. I would take off the back wheel and check the whole thing out, new gaskets and lube. It's a big thing on a shaft drive bike to run forever. It's not something that needs to be done very often but with a new to you bike I would at least check it, is it lube etc. I bought an 1100 Shadow 1999 and when I took the back wheel off there was zero lube on anything. Scary part was everything was rusted but in good shape. I lubed it up etc. and it was running great. Bought my Valkyrie and the back end looked like it just came out of the factory.  Hopefully that's what yours looks like.

I just pulled my drive shaft and lubed it up how often does that need to be done?

Every tire. If you use a tractor tire, then at least every 10,000 miles... my
driveshaft/pinion-cup seal came out once in just a few thousand miles, and Britman
just reported that his came out recently... that's something that should probably be
changed out with some regularity...



-Mike

For me that's about every 1 1/2 riding season. Your splines look a lot like the dirt in your area.

[hubcapsc]

Your splines look a lot like the dirt in your area.

Yeah  but when a pinion cup dries out they seem to usually
go the color of the surface of mars... it wasn't full of dirt it
was full of no-grease...

-Mike

[yrunvs]

Where did the grease go? How does that happen? I just did my drive shaft and I swear it's never been done before based on everything I had to do to the bike when I took possession and it was nice and greasy and looked great. 2000 standard with 25,000 miles.

[hubcapsc]

Where did the grease go? How does that happen? I just did my drive shaft and I swear it's never been done before based on everything I had to do to the bike when I took possession and it was nice and greasy and looked great. 2000 standard with 25,000 miles.

the seal in the pinion cup... mine failed... Britman's failed recently... its just
something that happens sometimes... in my case I had never changed it before.





25,000 miles is only a few tires for some folks... I probably had 50+k on mine
when this happened, and I change the rear tire every 6 or 7 thousand miles,
after that many times of fooling with the driveshaft I probably should have
changed the seal...

-Mike

[yrunvs]

Do you have a part number for that seal? And is that an easy install once you have the drive shaft out? I'm making mental notes here just in case.

[gordonv]

That should be interesting to find the holes and clean.

It's easier while on your back under the bike (high side easier than the low side) looking up to the heads, you should find the hole easier. A single piece of copper wire is a good to use. This is to get the hole clean from the bottom, they clean out the top of the port and look for that hole again from on top, and make sure it's clear.

I've only done it once on each bike I had. My first where plugged and retained water, causing a misfire in the rain.

[yrunvs]

Where did the grease go? How does that happen? I just did my drive shaft and I swear it's never been done before based on everything I had to do to the bike when I took possession and it was nice and greasy and looked great. 2000 standard with 25,000 miles.

the seal in the pinion cup... mine failed... Britman's failed recently... its just
something that happens sometimes... in my case I had never changed it before.





25,000 miles is only a few tires for some folks... I probably had 50+k on mine
when this happened, and I change the rear tire every 6 or 7 thousand miles,
after that many times of fooling with the driveshaft I probably should have
changed the seal...

-Mike

Is that seal #31 in this schematic?
https://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/hon/506cb6b9f870023420a4194d/final-driven-gear

[Madmike]

I think he is referring to #16 in this pic

[hubcapsc]

I think he is referring to #16 in this pic

Yes. I think that fiche picture makes it look funny, here's a mashup of some pictures in
the service manual:



It's the seal in the pinion cup on the pinion end of the driveshaft...

-Mike

[yrunvs]

ah yes.... Is Madmikes part #16 correct for that seal or no?

[Timbox]

Got the new brakes on her all around.  I had a issue with the left front caliber wanted to pinch the disk.  I had to loosen the axle and do a little tweaking to get it not to rub.  Is this a known issue with the Valkyrie or did I just over tighten the front axle?

Took the bike out for a small ride yesterday this sure is a nice platform Honda has made.

[hubcapsc]

Got the new brakes on her all around.  I had a issue with the left front caliber wanted to pinch the disk.  I had to loosen the axle and do a little tweaking to get it not to rub.  Is this a known issue with the Valkyrie or did I just over tighten the front axle?

Took the bike out for a small ride yesterday this sure is a nice platform Honda has made.

There's a thing where if you don't get the axle flush when you fiddle with the
front wheel there will be a caliper scrubbing noise... maybe that's what bit you...



There's a procedure for remounting the front wheel in the service manual, which
you can find here: http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

ah yes.... Is Madmikes part #16 correct for that seal or no?

yes

[yrunvs]

ah yes.... Is Madmikes part #16 correct for that seal or no?

yes

Thank you.

[Timbox]

hubcapsc

Yes I bet you are correct on that, I don't think mine is flush like that...Will take another look.

Thanks for that heads up.

[Timbox]

Took my first longer ride with the Valkyrie today...I learned a few things. This bike has incredible power that is fun but also a little scary.  Now remember I ride a 07 Bandit 1250S that is not stock.  I think that there will be a big learning curve with this bike (Valkyrie) that I will have to settle into.  Even though the power is there (like the bandit) the agility is not! Not only having to put the weight into a corner but use counter steering is a big leaning curve.  I just have to remember to be very mellow when it comes to learning this bike. 

I have seen the vids of people throwing sparks from the Valkyrie, I have not do so yet, not that I am trying.  I do hope no deer in my area jump out, as I am not too sure how good emergency breaking will do on the big Valkyrie.  I hope that will not be tested.  I would be interesting to take the advanced motorcycle course of the MSF class and see how I do. 

Once again, this is my fist cruiser bike that has a attitude, just hope I learn and have the discipline not to get in trouble.