Storm Surge Bike Repair (Post Hurricane Ian)

[agrady1995]

Hello all!

I am working on a 99' Tourer with many custom parts. Owner took her up to 158k miles and is very attached. Water measured by the line on the wall is about 2.5ft.


2 weeks and 2 days after hurricane Ian swept through Ft Myers, I arrived at the stable.

Upon arrival I did the following:

• External inspection of components, including under seat behind side covers.
• Fishbone fuse blown, all non-sealed electronics (alternator, relays [aftermarket and stock] etc.) bad
  
• Front timing pulleys seized (broke loose by hand). Rust colored belts.
• Removed carbs (pair system still hooked up)
• Removed cylinder head covers-- Only small bit of water in L side.
• Drained oil-- approx 500 mL of water at bottom of pan, followed by moderately used oil. No mix seen.
• Drain plug for final drive removed, no water inside.

I used the starter motor direct to the battery to turn the engine over after carbs, plugs and oil had been removed from the engine. I note the following:

• Cylinder #4 half full of water (mid intake stroke) was pushed out of the plug hole and exhaust
• Sprayed copious silicone lube into cylinders and intake
• Engine turned over, after ~5 seconds, oil pumped out head area, no water seen

I am in the process of generating a parts list; including alternator, electronics, timing belts, belt tensioner pulleys, oil, moly paste, u joint, drive shaft seal... and more!

I will try to update in a day or two.

Currently Have carburetors all pulled apart, and besides light corrosion on the butterflies that cleaned up, and goo/jelly inside the bowls, the carbs were OK. I will rebuild them this week, with my last SPARE red-eye kit.

[Jims99]

I would go through all electrical connection’s, plugs, light sockets etc. hopefully no (or very little) salt in the water. Maybe someone has a solution that’s nonflammable you could mix up and soak everything down with to neutralize salt. Sounds very time consuming, but what a way to get to know these bikes. Lol. Glad y’all are going to save her. 

[Savage]

Check wheel bearings, too.

[Highbinder]

I belive I'd be using alot of WD-40, orginally made to remove water from areas.  I have used it many
times when things got damp and wouldn'd start.  Spray some in the pistons and crankcase to start and all
electrical hook-ups and check all the relays. Just my thoughts.  Good luck.

[Avanti]

O believe all Honda relays are sealed.

[six2go #152]

Hello all!

I am working on a 99' Tourer with many custom parts. Owner took her up to 158k miles and is very attached. Water measured by the line on the wall is about 2.5ft.


2 weeks and 2 days after hurricane Ian swept through Ft Myers, I arrived at the stable.

Upon arrival I did the following:

• External inspection of components, including under seat behind side covers.
• Fishbone fuse blown, all non-sealed electronics (alternator, relays [aftermarket and stock] etc.) bad
  
• Front timing pulleys seized (broke loose by hand). Rust colored belts.
• Removed carbs (pair system still hooked up)
• Removed cylinder head covers-- Only small bit of water in L side.
• Drained oil-- approx 500 mL of water at bottom of pan, followed by moderately used oil. No mix seen.
• Drain plug for final drive removed, no water inside.

I used the starter motor direct to the battery to turn the engine over after carbs, plugs and oil had been removed from the engine. I note the following:

• Cylinder #4 half full of water (mid intake stroke) was pushed out of the plug hole and exhaust
• Sprayed copious silicone lube into cylinders and intake
• Engine turned over, after ~5 seconds, oil pumped out head area, no water seen

I am in the process of generating a parts list; including alternator, electronics, timing belts, belt tensioner pulleys, oil, moly paste, u joint, drive shaft seal... and more!

I will try to update in a day or two.

Currently Have carburetors all pulled apart, and besides light corrosion on the butterflies that cleaned up, and goo/jelly inside the bowls, the carbs were OK. I will rebuild them this week, with my last SPARE red-eye kit.

Is this EEEZZ Rider's(Ron Heathman)Valk? This sounds very much like the way he described the damage to me. Hope you can get him back on the road, he loves that "blacked out Valkyrie. I've ridden many miles with him before he moved from Indiana to Florida.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Pull it apart all the way down to the frame. Rinse the inside of the frame (through the weld outgassing holes) with distilled water, use an air compressor to completely dry it then apply Boeshield through the holes. Make sure you THOROUGHLY coat the inside of all tubes.

Salt water will make short work of that frame if you don't. I'd also look at the swingarm, swingarm pivots and final drive.

[JimC]

Another option,
I know Ron loves that bike and all that he has done to it over the years, and he should.
He could buy a good running Valk for $3,000 to $4,000 and transfer all of his modifications over to the new (good) bike. When done he would again have what he had prior to the flood. It could be done in a few days by a competent mechanic

I think he could actually come out money ahead doing it this way, and he would have a complete set of tins,wheels, carbs, etc. to sell.

Personally I don't see how anyone would be money ahead taking the old salt water soaked bike apart and rebuilding every component on it.
Jim