Yesterday's Valk Breakdown -- Answers to your Questions

[Gilligan]

We have a 1999 Valk Interstate with over 83,000 miles. We bought it brand new. I have changed oil and filter every 4,000 miles using Honda's oil. I have kept records to show that all required maintenance was done timely, usually early, by a Honda mechanic. I admit that I am not mechanically-inclined.

For Thunderbolt ... You're correct. I experienced a buzzing in the foot pegs when I was very slowly accelerating just before the first dreaded "clunk," which was followed by the "clackety-clack" about 1/2 hour later. The tranny was in gear and I could shift, but there was no power being generated to the rear wheel. The noise "sped up" in the higher gears and also as I gently tried to give it throttle in each gear.

I will report what the mechanic finds when he gets back with me.

BTW, after crunching the numbers, we will not be purchasing a new Goldwing. Prices are much higher than they were in 1999.

[fudgie]

Hope its all minor repairs or at least inexpensive ones. Hope you can get back on the road for your trip. Hope to read your ride reports when you get back. As far as the new Wings price. I can't believe how much they are compared to when they 1st came out. They are nice tho.

[franco6]

  you did nt say if the clutch in or out made any difference in the noise-vibration.well thats where i d start. i hope it won t cost you an arm and a leg.

[Gilligan]

you did nt say if the clutch in or out made any difference in the noise-vibration.well thats where i d start. i hope it won t cost you an arm and a leg.

The "clunks" occured while in gear with light acceleration or deceleration. The "clackety-clack" occured only while in gear and ceased when I pulled in on the clutch lever and took it out of gear. The sound seemed to come from the rear of the bike.

[Thunderbolt]

of course that would be your money Gilligan.    I know you have it at the dealer, so they will probably charge you the going rate and do the repair by the book, but the u-joint will come out without removing the swingarm.  Remember our 'ol gypsy DDT has around 380000 on his 99 now.  I hear he has slowed up on his riding some, so RJ might catch up now.

[Tundra]

Hey Thunderbolt! How long would it take to pull everything to inspect driveshaft and pinion cup. I want to do some preventative after reading Gilligan's post. Is the U-joint part of the driveshaft, or is that a seperate part? (if I were to get a spare driveshaft, would I also need a spare u-joint)
  PS...My caps came, got an extra for you. I'll carry it till I see you again.  Gilligan, intent was not to hijack your thread. Sorry.

[MP]

They are two seperate pieces.

[Jack B]

I just had the driveshaft and rear gear replaced at my Honda dealer. The bill was $480. My bike had 88,500 miles on it. But I still heard a cluck some times. I think it's the u joint. How do you replace the u joint without taking the swingarm off?   

[Chrisj CMA]

I just had the driveshaft and rear gear replaced at my Honda dealer. The bill was $480. My bike had 88,500 miles on it. But I still heard a cluck some times. I think it's the u joint. How do you replace the u joint without taking the swingarm off?   

Jack.....its not that hard

You must remove the rear wheel, final drive/driveshaft......not bad so far

Then you remove the chrome cover over the rear brake mechanism and un bolt the master cylinder so it can be moved out of the way. 

Then you pull the boot off the motor, stick a screwdriver in there and slide the u-joint off the output shaft and wiggle and fenagle it until it comes out....Ill look for a pic

really....not that hard

[Thunderbolt]

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/ujoint.html

This is a link to Chet Walters pictorial on u-joint how to remove.  The worst part for me was gettin that doggone rubber boot back on.

Take the rear wheel off, I usually put the bike on the lift with adapter, that way it is sturdy, I have the metal Spooonland adapter.  You can remove either wheel and the bike is sturdy like a rock.  I usually take the rear shocks off and drop the wheel down to take the axle out.  Take the 4 nuts off that hold the pumpkin on and it will come off the shaft.  Take the rear brake reservoir loose and tie it up and out of the way.  Pull the boot loose, pull the shaft back, remove the boot, then you can twist and turn the shaft/u-joint until it will come out.  I changed the u-joint and the dampers in the rear wheel and all the play that I used to have in the rear of the Interstate was gone afterwards.  Of course you want to properly grease everthing and replace all 3 o-rings or at least clean them up and inspect them while you have it apart.
I use Bel-Ray waterproof grease on everything.  Good time to change the differential lube while you have it apart too.
Hopefully the link to Chet's page will help.
Doug, shoot me your mailing address in an email and I will send your some o-rings if you need them.
The 4 nuts that hold the pumpkin on should not be tightened until you have the axle torqued to specs.

[Tundra]

Terry, I'm on my way out the door. Headin to the hills! Virginia. I will send you an e-mail upon my return. Next weekend-ish.
Thank you, have a great weekend!

[Gilligan]

Hey Thunderbolt! How long would it take to pull everything to inspect driveshaft and pinion cup. I want to do some preventative after reading Gilligan's post. Is the U-joint part of the driveshaft, or is that a seperate part? (if I were to get a spare driveshaft, would I also need a spare u-joint)
  PS...My caps came, got an extra for you. I'll carry it till I see you again.  Gilligan, intent was not to hijack your thread. Sorry.

I never thought I'd have a drive-train problem with a Valk. We all need to know what to look for, how to assure that maintenance includes more than the owner's manual, and how to fix parts that are worn or broken. I do NOT consider your post to be a "hijack." It was definitely helpful to all. 

Thanks and Ride Safe

[Sweet Tea]

Allan, AKA, Punisher, could help you with this..Or David, AKA Warlock, and save you a ton of money, plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job would be done right. (I'm sure they both appreciate being volunteered by me,but anyway  )  I hope your Valk is in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, and has the work ethic/conscience to complete the job to the best of their ability.  I know from reading your posts you love that bike, and she has taken you and Navigator on many adventures.  Glad to hear you'll be keeping her, and after she is fixed there will be many more adventures to come.  I wish you both well, and hope the repairs to your Valkyrie are correct, even though possibly costly, its not often a Valkyrie would leave you stranded without giving you those little warning signs to heed before hand.  She is a dependable machine...my goodness...I'll never forget seeing Rick V's bike after he crashed...and that Valk laid in a ditch full of water, smashed.  The men that were there on the scene helped the tow truck driver get her out of the ditch, and I remember the feeling of seeing that Valkyrie hanging upside down from the back of that old, rotten looking tow truck. We rode behind as she was driven, swinging back and forth like a rag doll from that wench, until she made it here to our home...again..smashed...Joe got on her and turned the key...she cranked right up. LOL....What other bike out there can take a licking and keep on going?  They may no longer be in production, but you will be hard pressed to find a tougher, more dependable machine on the road, even today.  But...you've known that even before me Gilligan, cause Y'all have been riding on a Valkyrie for much longer than us.     Just wanted to encourage you...Take care. 

[Gilligan]

Allan, AKA, Punisher, could help you with this..Or David, AKA Warlock, and save you a ton of money, plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job would be done right. (I'm sure they both appreciate being volunteered by me,but anyway  )  I hope your Valk is in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, and has the work ethic/conscience to complete the job to the best of their ability.  I know from reading your posts you love that bike, and she has taken you and Navigator on many adventures.  Glad to hear you'll be keeping her, and after she is fixed there will be many more adventures to come.  I wish you both well, and hope the repairs to your Valkyrie are correct, even though possibly costly, its not often a Valkyrie would leave you stranded without giving you those little warning signs to heed before hand.  She is a dependable machine...my goodness...I'll never forget seeing Rick V's bike after he crashed...and that Valk laid in a ditch full of water, smashed.  The men that were there on the scene helped the tow truck driver get her out of the ditch, and I remember the feeling of seeing that Valkyrie hanging upside down from the back of that old, rotten looking tow truck. We rode behind as she was driven, swinging back and forth like a rag doll from that wench, until she made it here to our home...again..smashed...Joe got on her and turned the key...she cranked right up. LOL....What other bike out there can take a licking and keep on going?  They may no longer be in production, but you will be hard pressed to find a tougher, more dependable machine on the road, even today.  But...you've known that even before me Gilligan, cause Y'all have been riding on a Valkyrie for much longer than us.     Just wanted to encourage you...Take care. 

Thanks, Sweet Tea. I do trust the honesty and work ethic of the mechanic that we have. I believe he has always been honest with me, because when I tell him how far we're going on one of our extended trips and the weather and terrain involved, he tells me, after I've asked, whether or not we need to do things like brakes. After last year's trip, I thought we might have to do some brake work this time and he said, "Not necessary."

I know what it's like to have a friend go down while we're riding. Our worst experience involved a couple. He broke ribs and a collar bone and she had multiple plastic surgeries to her face, even though she had a 3/4 helmet. When we got to her, she was unconscious and on her back. Blood was everywhere, but my biggest concern, as she laid on her back, was that she might have lost her eyes, as the blood had pooled in her eye sockets and we coulnd't see her eyes. When she came to, she wanted Navigator to hold her hand and stay with her. The good news = She did not lose her vision and both of them recovered and continue to ride.

Yep, we're keeping the Valk. As we planned when we bought it, it will be our last bike. We do intend to ride it to a Valk get-to-gether again someday and we hope to meet you and Punisher. You two are special people, and you're always welcome here.

Ride Safe

[Sweet Tea]

   We will meet Y'all one day. Y'all would be more than welcome here, if you ever find yourselves in the deep South. My best to you both. Ride safe.