Cold starting b*tch, she is

[designer]

It's 70+ today and still had to use enricher.    it stumbled for half a mile.

She doesn't run what I would call smooth. this 2002 standard only had 6000 miles when I bought her. They ran her for 4000 miles in 2003 and probably seldom run for the next 8 years.  She gets about 32 mpg @ 70mph highway driving.  Am I looking at a carb rebuilt?

[Valker]

Are you using the choke ALL the way? Push it HARD for the last inch or so of travel. Let us know.

[Gryphon Rider]

If you haven't already, I would run some carb cleaner in the gas.

[designer]

No, I tune the startup at about 1500 rpm's til I get going and turn it off after 100 yards or so. It ideals at 700 to 900 until it warms up. Just not so smooth.  I need to hear another valk to see how it compares.

[designer]

Half a can of sea foam in two tanks

[bigguy]

Are you using the choke ALL the way? Push it HARD for the last inch or so of travel. Let us know.

+1 on the choke. I put up with a hard to start bike for a year until I finally realized how far the lever needs to go. You've got to push it pretty firmly past the half-way point.

Haly-way down



All the way down.

[John U.]

I agree with the carb cleaner suggestions, though I favor Techron. The problem is likely that your slow jets are clogged. The bike will still run with the "enricher" but runs poorly without it. Give whatever you choose (a strong dose)some time to work.

[designer]

I've got the choke mastered, the real question is should I need to use it this warm?  

[designer]

I agree with the carb cleaner suggestions, though I favor Techron. The problem is likely that your slow jets are clogged. The bike will still run with the "enricher" but runs poorly without it. Give whatever you choose (a strong dose)some time to work.

I'll dump the other half of sea foam in this tank.

[Red Diamond]

Don't just dump a carb cleaner in the tank, that'll do no good, you have to ride it. Some slow riding and some at speed riding. About 2-300 round trip, it will be running better after that. Fresh gas does wonders for those jets, slow or fast. Keep it rolling, ride safely.
No recommendations on the cleaner, use what you want, but run it.

[Michvalk]

Yes, your bike could require the choke to start on warm days. Mine does, but usually only if it is stone cold. If I have run it in the past few hours, no choke is required. The Techron or Seafoam will help with the stumbling at lower RPM's. For the little bit that the bike has been used in the past few years, I'm surprised it will run at all. Put the carb cleaner in and ride slowly for a few and let it set overnight. There are plenty of threads in the tech section about the very thing you are talking about. Use the search. You will find more info than you can use

[CajunRider]

It's 70+ today and still had to use enricher.    it stumbled for half a mile.

I live in Louisiana... so RARELY see below 70 deg.  I still  have to use the "choke" for the first crank in the morning (or after sitting for more than 2 or 3 hours). 

You may think 70 is rather warm, but it's actually a good 100 deg below normal operating temperature for the engine!!  That big lump of metal takes a few seconds to warm up!

During the summer, I leave the choke on for about 30 seconds... during the winter, maybe 1 or 2 minutes before she smooths out.  Consider that a lot of EFI bikes actually idle high for 30 or so seconds... EFI version of "Choke".  What you're explaining sounds like fairly normal starting to me. 

[Redline +]

I've got the choke mastered, the real question is should I need to use it this warm?  

I rarely use the choke...certainly not at 70 degrees. My 2002 starts and idles perfect with no choke down to around 40 degrees. Mine had gone 5000 miles when I bought it 2 years ago, I've had no carb issues. Your mileage seems low, at steady 70 mph cruise, mine is around 37-38.

Try the carb cleaner.

Redline 

[valkyriemc]

Here's da choke info ( three pics) showing full on, but I dont think thats your problemo.


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,25677.40.html

[Patrick]

If the idle speed is controllable using just the choke lever then the choke is working and being used correctly.. If the engine runs good in the higher gears around 2000-2500 RPMs then the carburetors low jets are clean.. Some of these monsters are just cold-blooded.. Some Sea-foam, I think, is always a good thing especially in these monsters..

[Ferris Leets]

Mine also needs choke to start at any outside temp.  It  idles at around 1800 with full choke.  At start up it will idle a little lower and stumble a bit.  After about 15 to 30 seconds all 6 start firing.  As soon as I get moving I flip off the choke.

[designer]

Good information, sounds like my bike is normal.  I'm going to get another can of cleaner and go on a long ride.

[R J]

Good information, sounds like my bike is normal.  I'm going to get another can of cleaner and go on a long ride.

Remeber one thing her grasshopper.     Ya need to run the bike at speeds lower than 35 to make it use the slow jets you are trying to clean.

It is best to get some in the carbs, park it overnight, and let it soak, run it below 35 the next day for about 40 miles, park it overnight and repeat again.

I use a whole can of cleaner even though it says 3 oz or so.     Seems to get the slow jets cleaned quicker.

PS:   About every 5th or 6th tank of fule I give MGM a full blast of another full can.    This is even done on trips.

[us385south]

Half a can of sea foam in two tanks

Plus 1
 

[98valk]

Good information, sounds like my bike is normal.  I'm going to get another can of cleaner and go on a long ride.

Remeber one thing her grasshopper.     Ya need to run the bike at speeds lower than 35 to make it use the slow jets you are trying to clean.

disagree RJ and so does Marc from Factorypro
cruising down the hwy, one should only be about 1/4 throttle or less and using the pilot jets. any more throttle and one would be into the needle circuit and mpg goes down big time. the pilot circuit is also used during small throttle movements when the throttle is 3/4 to WOT.
search factorypro tech section for more info.

hard starting, open up the idle mixture screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn. shim the front needles only a little richer.
there are much much better carb cleaners and at lower prices than seafoam. use regain, techron, amsoil, or redline all top level items.  Recently used Lucas deep clean fuel cleaner, was very impressed with the performance, never liked the other lucas products.

[Robert]

I have a Factory Pro kit get between 35 to 45 mpg and only use the choke when the temp drops below 40