looking for chicago area members

[Flat6Valk]

I am staying in the area, Des Plaines working in The Water Towers, for a few weeks.  My valkyrie is running poorly probably due to needing a sync and having vacuum leaks.  So Im wondering if there are any wrench parties going on soon.  Or perhaps recommendations for service work.  I did visit Northwest Honda and they seemed knowledgeable but they are stacked up with work and they need 10 days or so after I drop it off to them.  

Any help from the Chicaco area members?  Thanks in advance.

[ChromeDome]

If you are going to be in Des Plaines then I would try Des Plianes Honda .... unless Des Plaines Honda changed their name to Northwest Honda. Either way your experience is interesting because when I have had troubles while travelling most dealers have tried to get me in and back on the road ASAP (tires in TN & MT, bearings in KY).

I take mine to Fox Valley Cycles in Aurora, something of a long haul if you are up in Des Plaines. Just in case the number is 1-800-445-1548 and be sure to let them know that you are from out of state.

As for a wrench party, none that I am aware of.

Wish I could help more.

[Flat6Valk]

thanks chrome dome!  Northwest Honda didn't seem to care about my out of town situation.

[VALKIFIED]

Dont know about the dealers around here yet (new owner) but have some tools and a garage and a spare set of hands.

[Walküre]

Dont know about the dealers around here yet (new owner) but have some tools and a garage and a spare set of hands.

Do you have the sync gauges? I have a set, and could be convinced, easily, to make the trip this coming weekend, if only to watch!!    Momma is working, and me and the Valk NEED a good long trip. I did mine this last fall, and a buddy, who went to FI, gave me his nice set of mercury tube gauges. I can bring a printout of the steps, but I'm sure Flat6 has them memorized!   

Let me know. Might be best, if you need to get in touch, to call me - seven 65, twee six twee, dirty four, ten. Iffen you can't figure THAT out, I don't wanna help!! 

Either day is fine with me. It's about a 2-1/2 hour drive for me, so figure accordingly.

Roger

[bigdog99]

not sure how far des plaines is from kouts, but i have gauges and a garage.
could possibly do it sunday. plans already made for saturday.

[Flat6Valk]

I have not sync'd carbs before but Im willing to try.  If an experienced Valker out there is available to help..........I'd be mighty grateful.  I do believe that the vacuum hoses need/should be changed.  I dont think they have ever been changed.  I've had My Valk for 5 yrs and I feel as tho the previous owner didnt change them out either.

Im hoping the carbs dont need work but if so that will have to come later.

[Walküre]

not sure how far des plaines is from kouts, but i have gauges and a garage.
could possibly do it sunday. plans already made for saturday.

Kouts is almost EXACTLY 1/2 way to Des Plaines, for me. It's 80 miles for me to Kouts, and 80 miles from Kouts to Des Plaines. Might be a nice meeting point...

I'm assuming Flat6V is not as concerned about the WHEN, as he is about the length of time, that the dealer wanted to keep the bike - I know it's rough to be someplace, and not have wheels, and 10 days seems like a REALLY long time! I think I would try to work out with the dealer, if it were possible, that they give you a call an hour (or day if possible) before they were "free" to do the work, and your guarantee that you would have the bike there. It took me about an hour or little longer to set my carbs up, start to finish. There's really good directions in Shoptalk, by Carl Kulow (link: http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlsync.htm. So, to keep the bike for 10 days, is outrageous, in my book. Maybe it's so that they can charge the BIG bucks.

[Flat6Valk]

I had asked them the same.  Make an appointment then get it done.  They didnt see it that way.  And yes, wanting to ride on my time off in a new area is very appealing, so leaving it at a service place, dealer or not, for 10 days seems crazy.  It does run, just not as well as I would like.  I get a small miss and popping at times.  All nuts, screws in the obvious places are tight as they are supposed to be.  So I figure sync and vacuum hoses are the culprit.  It could be carb servicing time but I want to start with the easy stuff.

Thanks for all the input here on the forum.  This is a great place for all Valk owners.

[Willow]

I don't think a sync will fix your issue, but until you get a chance to do one check for vacuum leaks.

Tighten the screws on the clamps on the carb runners.

Feel the vacuum hoses where they enter the runners.  If you can feel a softness or split you've a vacuum leak there.  Sometimes you can temporarily remedy this situation by cutting a half inch off the tube and reattaching.

Look for a brown stain around the base of the carb runners (where they're connected to the head).  If you see that your leaking there and likely need to replace the O-rings.  Temporarily, you may be able to tighten down the nuts on the bases of the carb runners.

You didn't mention at what RPM you experience the slight miss and popping, but if it's only below 3200 RPM you may have some clogging in the low speed jets.

I hope it turns out to be something easy for you.

[Flat6Valk]

Great advice Willow.  And yes below 3200 its most obvious to me.  I will check out your suggestions and see what I can find if anything.  Thanks again.

[bigdog99]

Willow strikes again.
looks like i will be buying new carb base o rings too. washed the bike saturday night and saw a brown stain at #4. couldnt imagine what that was.
thanks willow,.
still open for the wrench day on sunday if need be also. i have hillbilly gauges i set mine with, and if anyone laughs at the rotten piece of wood i put them on,,,,,,i will probably laugh too.

[Flat6Valk]

I wont be able to confirm wrenching on Sunday until Friday afternoon.  Is that too late to make the commitment?  Im kinda in limbo at the moment.

[bigdog99]

i work days, so let me know what you think. hopefully the rain is out of the area also.

not sure if Roger is up for that, but more than welcome too.

[Flat6Valk]

Its not looking promising for me to be able to wrench this weekend (sunday).  Too many conflicts on this holiday weekend.  thank you tho folks for your offers and advice.  Perhaps later if any interested parties out there.