The Valk is running!!

[Dozer]

I finished up the carb rebuild, sync and desmog. The last of my parts came in today so I cobbled it all together and went for a short test ride. I still have a lot of stuff to put back on the bike...like the choke linkage covers, crash bars on the left side and a few things like that, but I wanted to check my progress and performance. So far, from what I saw today, I am happy with the overall job, but I wont know for certain till I get it ALL back together and start riding it seriously.
One big unknown is gonna be gas mileage. I dont have a clue where its gonna be. As I said in the beginning, the pilot valves were adjusted anywhere from 1/2 turn out to three turns out. They are all at 2.25 now and of course I had to resync the carbs too. The bike was getting 32-35 mpg with "normal" hiway riding. One thing is certain, I really have to build a better sync rig if my son is gonna keep this bike. But for the most part, so far, I am happy with the results. This bike isnt finished yet so I will be back for more info, advice and help. Thank all you guys for everything. I would have been hard pressed to finish this job without your help. Oh, BTW...no brake squeal from the new pads today but time will tell!

[spunkhustler]

Nice job!  Good to hear that she's back on the road.  I've got a project Valk that I just picked up and am in the process of finding and removing all the green sludge that used to be gas.  It's been a battle for sure but I think I've got it.  I had a question for you if you have time. I put it all back together after breaking down the carbs, soaking them and reassembling it.  I didn't put the airbox back in yet because I wasn't sure I was done cleaning and I heard it was a real booger.  When I started it, it idled fine but anything more than that and it was popping and hissing and not getting over 10 mph.   Does that sound like normal running without an airbox?

Thanks

[BonS]

The bike will run like junk without the box. I wouldn't even think of doing it at all. Just one small leak in a boot will kill all performance.

[BonS]

Dozer, Congrats on getting this far. The carbs don't need balancing often. Just ride it regularly, use stabilizer over the winter and enjoy.

[Dozer]

spunky...I have been following your thread and green goo saga. I can tell you for a fact that after going through the carb rebuild, as you did, along with the adjustments and sync, that mine ran like crap just setting in the garage with no aribox. I saw the same issues. In fact, I wouldnt have taken it for a ride for fear I wouldnt get back home! I had a "remote" gas tank I was feeding from and I assumed that may have been the problem but folks here said no....it was the airbox. I had a large o-ring on the air box that was missing when the  last dealer did this same job. It arrived today so I CAREFULLY put it all back together, making certain that the box air inlet tubes were all installed correctly on the carb air inlets, and it ran well...no popping or back firing or anything. I guess its as"they say"....no airbox=lean mixture which will cause those problems (as will vacuum leaks). The airbox with the filter richens the mixture and the issues go away. Thats my personal experience and the general consensus of those folks here who have been arouind valks for some time. But, as I said, the serious riding has yet to begin. I'll know more with in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, good luck with your project. If I can help shed any light, I'll be happy to...just keep in mind I am basically a "twinky" guy....errr I mean V- twins...

[Dozer]

Dozer, Congrats on getting this far. The carbs don't need balancing often. Just ride it regularly, use stabilizer over the winter and enjoy.

Thanks BonS. It was mostly the guys here that I owe success to. This isnt my bike...its my sons and he doesnt ride much. This is the second time its happened...the first time cost him $1200 at the local dealers...so I offered to do it for him this time. I kinda like wrenching on bikes, but its the last. Either he sells it or rides it. Its as they say...you can either ride it or watch it rust. Until he decides, its gonna stay in my garage and I'll ride it along with my Road Star...at least the gas wont be there long enough to turn to green goo! 

[JaysGone]

I wish my dad was even a little bit like you are.
When he was alive anyway.
I hope your kid appreciates what you have done and learns to do it himself...........

J/K Dozer you know that.
Your just the type that will always be a good dad and help the kid out.
Aint these bikes fun??????
Learning somethng new every day myself.
Now which bike to trike??
Which bike to sh%% can thats the next question..........
Twinkie huh??
I dont like the sound of that one...........................

[BonS]

I guess its as"they say"....no airbox=lean mixture which will cause those problems (as will vacuum leaks). The airbox with the filter richens the mixture and the issues go away. Thats my personal experience and the general consensus of those folks here who have been arouind valks for some time.

A friends Valkyrie had an air box boot that had a single air leak on one carburetor. That cylinder ran blubbering rich; Yup, rich. The bike backfired and that cylinder would wet foul and the bike often only ran on 5 cylinders. He brought it over and we found the boot that had hung up on the backside and corrected it. It was cylinder #4 and the bike had a smog system that wasn't working right as well. Based upon that experience I know it's possible that a possible outcome of a leaking boot is also a rich condition.

[Dozer]

I guess its as"they say"....no airbox=lean mixture which will cause those problems (as will vacuum leaks). The airbox with the filter richens the mixture and the issues go away. Thats my personal experience and the general consensus of those folks here who have been arouind valks for some time.

A friends Valkyrie had an air box boot that had a single air leak on one carburetor. That cylinder ran blubbering rich; Yup, rich. The bike backfired and that cylinder would wet foul and the bike often only ran on 5 cylinders. He brought it over and we found the boot that had hung up on the backside and corrected it. It was cylinder #4 and the bike had a smog system that wasn't working right as well. Based upon that experience I know it's possible that a possible outcome of a leaking boot is also a rich condition.

I agree that without the box, be it rich or lean, it runs like crap. I was careful about putting those tubes back on the caeb inlets too. Lucky for me I have a borescope so I was able to see exactly where the boots were. I took a short 50 mile ride today in mixed traffic. I am happy with the performance. Low speed and mid range was very good. High speed was good enough for me....had it up to 95 and thats more than fast enough for me.

[Dozer]

Hi Jay! I'll take your comments as a compliment...thanks. I think the "kid" appreciates it...even if he is 42! LOL. We have kinda of a trade off deal. Hes an IT manager so when I have computer issues, I call him. When he has bike issues I take care of it. But we do have some flare ups from time to time. I rag on him about his bike care and maintenance and he does the same to me when my PC turns to crap....
Yeah, these valks are kinds fun....when you know what you're doing! As for what to trike, Id go for the valk I think...what to junk? NONE of them. Never junk a bike...part it out, give it away, sell it or rebuild it but never junk it. Bikes, like old cars have a soul and a junk yard is no place for either of them!
LOL...yeah...twinky sounds gay doesnt it...but thats the term these valk guys call us V twin guys...However, I am a big boy and I can handle a little ribbing. I love my V twins...say it loud...I'm proud!