New member with new, lazy Valk

[CG]

Hello,
New to this forum, fairly new to the valkyrie with this being my first summer on her, and find myself in need of a little advise.
If I may:
1998 std. Valk with 18k miles…..Goes flat at higher RPM’s, with RMP’s seemingly slower to climb.  While this is not real obvious, I can detect a subtle struggling from the engine.  Don’t get me wrong, she’ll still go, just not as crisp as it was or responsive as it should be.  Upon further investigation, I smelled gas from the fuel valve area right at the very bottom of the fuel valve.  There appears to be 1/8 long/wide circular drain or opening at the very bottom of the fuel valve in which gas drips out very slowly.  Perhaps the leak is coming from above where it screws into the tank, don’t know just yet.  While not the expert, this may have something to do with the hesitation……..
Additionally, not sure this applies but I noticed the drain hose (towards the seat end of the tank) runs down the middle of the bike towards the ground(swingarm).  The hose has a T-splice in it midway down, with the hose continuing downward.  However nothing is connected to the middle end of the T? Why the splice if it’s not connected to anything?  Can’t seem to find what it may connect to?
Anyway, I appreciate the help and look forward to anyone’s thoughts.  What a bike and anxious to get her healthy again………..Thanks, CG……………

[Ricky-D]

Gasoline dripping from the petcock is not correct and is indicating that the vacuum side is in bad condition and needs to be repaired. There is a kit available for this but I want to point out that many just go ahead and change out the stock petcock for and aftermarket manual type such as a Pingle petcock.

This leaking is most likely responsible for the problem of poor performance from the motor.

The second thing you mention about the "T" in the line is correct and it is there intentionally like that to break any possible siphon action that can result. That line is the gas tank vent line.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

Gasoline dripping from the petcock is not correct and is indicating that the vacuum side is in bad condition and needs to be repaired. There is a kit available for this but I want to point out that many just go ahead and change out the stock petcock for and aftermarket manual type such as a Pingle petcock.

This leaking is most likely responsible for the problem of poor performance from the motor.

The second thing you mention about the "T" in the line is correct and it is there intentionally like that to break any possible siphon action that can result. That line is the gas tank vent line.

***

+1 what Ricky said

[CG]

Ricky D,
Thanks, wow was this easy/helpful......Checked out Pingel and, not that it matters but, their fuel valve for the valk looks a bit different. Does Honda still make parts for the Valk, perhaps the OEM version is still available? Either way, thanks for the information you've been a huge help.  I'll likely order the Pingel today.

On another note, interested in exhaust options and finding the only one being made anymore is cobra's 6x6.  Two brothers, viking, Vance/Hines, etc. no longer making exhaust for the valks, from what I can gather.  Exhaust options you may be aware of?  I've heard the cobra's may have negative performance implications.....

Again, thanks for the help :

[GJS]

Hey  CG,

Welcome aboard. I think you'll find this forum to be an amazing Valkyrie resource.

As far as the exhaust question goes.... Look into one of the boards advertisers.
www.horseapple.com
MarkT custom creates some good looking products.

Good luck with your 98 STD.
With the low miles you have on it, I'd suggest running a few cans of SeaFoam through it to clean out any gasoline varnish that may have built up.

Best regards,

Glenn

[Daniel Meyer]

Ricky D,
Thanks, wow was this easy/helpful......Checked out Pingel and, not that it matters but, their fuel valve for the valk looks a bit different. Does Honda still make parts for the Valk, perhaps the OEM version is still available? Either way, thanks for the information you've been a huge help.  I'll likely order the Pingel today.

On another note, interested in exhaust options and finding the only one being made anymore is cobra's 6x6.  Two brothers, viking, Vance/Hines, etc. no longer making exhaust for the valks, from what I can gather.  Exhaust options you may be aware of?  I've heard the cobra's may have negative performance implications.....

Again, thanks for the help :

Yes, plenty of OEM parts. Petcock is available, and there is a rebuild kit for the vacuum side called a "cover set"

Check out http://valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

[CG]

Thanks for the info Daniel.  Man this is great, the responses are appreciated not to mention very helpful.....

[9Ball]

+1 Mark Ts glaspaks...the best option and I've had the Cobra 6x6 (new from dealer) and TBR 6x6 (for about 1 year, but replaced after the first coast-to-coast ride I took).  Cobras sound good, but I'm not a fan of blued pipes and loss of hp.  TBR had deeper sound, but really seemed to drone on long rides.  Mark Ts for the past 10 years and highly recommended.

[sugerbear]

i'm really partial to the factory exhaust...........

[R J]

I have Vikings and love them.

Jeff K was trying to get enough takers for the former Viking owner to make another run, expensive, but I love them.

PM Jeff K and he can tell ya where to go to sign p for a set if you are interested.

[CG]

RJ, Sugarbear, and RJ, thanks guys!  Wow, talk about making someone feel welcome! RJ, I would be interested in exploring the viking option.   PM JeffK?  Don't know Jeff, much less what PM implies. <<sorry>>  Again, thanks everyone!

[SANDMAN5]

You can look up Jeff K under "members" and it will give you the option of sending
him a "personal message" (pm). Before you go wild with the exhaust, explore some
of the other options. I have a 98 with Interstate tips, cut piggies and drilled rear
baffles. Love it! ( Welcome to the club, btw!)   

[old2soon]

You can look up Jeff K under "members" and it will give you the option of sending
him a "personal message" (pm). Before you go wild with the exhaust, explore some
of the other options. I have a 98 with Interstate tips, cut piggies and drilled rear
baffles. Love it! ( Welcome to the club, btw!)   

   Yeah what he said. Look on E-Bay. There is a lot of valkyrie specific stuff available. But be fore warned about E-bay. Some of the bidders go way over retail. Now granted some of our stuff gettin to be a little harder to find. Also available here is a rather extensive classified ads. Check over the pages there and see if any items you be aneedin are available right here on the board.  Welcome to the insanity. As you are discovering-lotsa help and knowledge right here at your fingertips. Again-welcome and RIDE SAFE.

[Thunderbolt]

I have been ordering from Servicehonda.com.  If you don't live in the state they are in you will pay shipping and no tax. Takes a little time, but not too tough, you have to take the tank off of course to get to it.
Part No. is 16953-MBZ-B51

[CG]

Guys,
Thanks for all the replies/help, this forum sure knows how to welcome someone!
- part ordered, will let everyone know how we came out.  Should solve the problem.

Bashful Bob, I never thought about the interstate tips but, I'm guessing they would be interchangeable, right?  Aside from the mods(piggies, drilled baffles) did the interstate tips have any affect on the sound or was it just for aesthetic purposes?  My exhaust is stock with the exception of the piggies have been cut.
- Don't care for the looks of the exhaust, primarily the tips.  Do like the looks stacks have to offer with larger diameter options.
- The sound is ok but I've heard better out there type of thing.
Over the web I've heard the Vikings, Mark T's and liked them both, in terms of sound.  Don't believe I've heard a valk with baffles cut..........

Anyway, thanks again VRCC and from a new guy's perspective, what a great forum/tool to have access too.

[Stitch_in_La]

There's a good discussion of some exhaust mods on the board in shop talk, if you're handy or like doing that sort of thing yourself.

Stitch

[SANDMAN5]

If your piggies are gone the I/S tips will bolt right on. Not only do they
look better (IMHO) but they do add a little to the sound. I think they're
a little longer and act as a resonator. Drilling holes in the rear baffle plates
is the next step, and then drilling the front with a LONG drill bit. I had the
fronts drilled on my previous Valk and loved it....wife thought it was a little
too much for longer rides. Best thing about drilling is it's (almost) free!!! Drill
bits are much cheaper than a new exhaust system!!

[BF]

CG......

Ya wanna know what it sounds like?

This is my Valk with the piggies cut and the rear baffles drilled......

Honda Valkyrie - LED turn and tag light modifications	powered by Aeva

This is after the Ragnar cut (front baffles untouched).....

Honda Valkyrie - after Ragnar Cut	powered by Aeva

If you don't know what the Ragnar cut is, it's basically gutting the rear end portion of the pipes totally removing the rear baffles.  Here's the links.....

http://luiscajiga.com/Exhaustm.htm

and.....

http://luiscajiga.com/Exhaustm2.htm

If you don't like the look of the seam with the factory short tips, you can do the truck stack mod....

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/truckstackinstall.htm

You can find them here.....

http://store.airflo.com/chrome-exhaust.html

A VERY nice addition of the pipe ends are Grumpy's tips.  He's a site supporter.....

http://www.grumpyscustomparts.com/apps/webstore/

Good luck.  

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Welcome aboard. No matter where you live I'm sure there are some VRCC member that will be glad to meet you and give you a hand with anything you need from repairs to mods you want you lady to have. This is a great bunch of people and love to help other members. If you get do to Texas give us a shout in the Houston area.

[CG]

Agree with everything you said and thank you, for reaching out!

[CG]

RickyD,
Replaced the fuel valve and added sea foam...To the point, wow....While the power was satisfying it hasn't been right since I've owned her.  Now I know what the valk is capable of and let's just say I'm content.  Thanks again for the spot on diagnosis.  Not only am I happy but, U saved me considerable money!  These valks have no end.............Still cannot believe what they can do(now that I know:)

[Paxton]

CG;
Welcome to Shangri-la!
Have anybody told you that Black Valkyries are faster than all others? 
If yours isn't Black, that explains why it's lazy! 

Here are some pics of my bike, "before and after" the 4" truck Stacks... $175 @ my front door.
End tips, $50 from Grumpy... the best! 

https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/SHEDRAGONFLY?authkey=Gv1sRgCODNo622qI7UHQ

"If you have no intention of loving or being loved by your Valkyrie,
then the whole journey is pointless."

[CG]

Hey,
Thanks for the welcome......Just so happens mine is black also and thanks to this forum, is now running like it never has before.  Black attack now...........Trying to load some pics, but having problems at this point......Stacks on order from airflow...

[CG]

Well, the valk was feeling very powerful after a new fuel valve replacement, which did address the gas leak.  After a couple of days gone by, took it out today again and the same symptoms resurfaced, lazy working to build RPM's.  Seriously, it was good for awhile.  Not that it's bad but, what ever it is, the affect is subtle but noticable while appearing to be intermitent.  I'm 90 miles into a tank of sea foam as an FYI.........

Seems to me if it was carburation or the synching there of, the problem would simply exist and not be intermitent.  Same likely holds true with plugs(only 18k on them however).  What's left, vacuum, variable spark?  Ok boys, round 2!  Any help for the dummy over here would be greatly appreciated!

[Hoser]

How much seafoam you got in the gas?  It won't run well on over 2 cans to a full tank.  It still does it's job though.  Hoser

[BF]

Go to Walmart and get a bottle of Techron.  Go to the gas station and pour in the entire bottle of Techron.  Fill up tank with regular gas.  Go for a 100 mile or more ride.  Keep the RPMs below 3000.  Below 2000 is mo better.  Just go toolin' around without getting in the throttle. 

See if that does it then come back and report. 

[CG]

Thanks fellas.......I added what I believe the directions called for and put 1/2 a bottle of seafoam to a tank.  I had great power during this tank with seafoam and then today it tapered off a bit again.  I have more of this and wil continue to use until used up.  I just filled up again and plan on adding the balance of the first bottle.

Will evaluate as time goes by and look into the techron as necessary.  Will be putting significant miles on this weekend headed from Milwaukee North around lake Mi. in the upper pen. and then back down state.   Will report back Sunday night....
Again, thanks for the support...... il