Anyone do/have a good Valk mechanic in East Texas or Dallas area

[clsbill]

Only lived here a little over a year and need some rearend work on the 03 Valk.  Severe cupping/wear on left side of rear tire.  Assume bearings or drive train problem.  Would love to find someone good to do my work?  I live on Lake Fork in East Texas.  Help!  Thanks.

[2-CUP]

CHECK OUT "HOWELLS" IN VAN, TX
WISH I NEW HIS NUMBER TO GIVE U BUT IT IS IN THE BOOK.

[godfire]

Welcome aboard.
I have a friend that uses Rockwall Honda and he loves them.
One of the mechanics even rides a Valk (usually a good sign).
I've also heard good things about the guys 2-cup suggested.
There is always the possibility of a wrench party also, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

[Daniel Meyer]

What tire and what pressure have you been running?

[Texas Ranger]

Hey, come to my Cookout the last weekend of this month and meet a bunch of VRCC members plus get to eat Bar B Q plus attend a Tech session with our very own Daniel Meyer!
Just click on the link Texas Ranger & Catfish's Cookout and register and come join in the fun. There is a link with a map also.
Hope to see ya there.

[godfire]

Oh Yeah, I forgot to mention, you now have access to Daniel Meyer. One of the foremost authorities on everything Valkyrie.
You are going to like it here!

[clsbill]

Thanks everyone.  I will talk to Howells and Honda Rockwall and Daniel. 

Texas Ranger, when I lived in Phoenix I would see your posts about your BBQ and thought that would be cool to come.  However now that I am close, schedule conflicts seem to come up.  I have out of town company coming in that weekend to play in a golf tournament.  Thanks much for the invite though.  Maybe next time if I am still invited.  I may be moving to a GoldWing for the wife and more long trips on the bike. 

Godfire, I got spoiled in Phoenix.  I had BigBF to do my work :-).  Faster, better and probably cheaper than I could do it especially if I broke or messed something else up while doing the work. 

Daniel, I am running Avons with 40 - 42 psi.  Probably 4,000 miles on the tires and unfortunately a nice chicken strip down the back tire.  Too much city riding and not enough mountain curve riding the last couple years.  The cupping started slightly on each side so the first thought was a ride with low tire pressure.  I definitely check the pressure before longer rides and seldom find less than 38 psi.  Believe this occured very recently on a short ride to Tawakoni for refreshments.  Any other thoughts?  Thanks.

[Wanderer]

How many miles on the bike? Most likely problem after tire pressure, imo - shocks. If you have over 20 something K on the factory shocks, that is where I would start. If you are not going to a Gold Wing right away I would go with Progressive 440's.

Welcome to Texas and the board. I look forward to meeting you one of these days. ~Jeff

[YODA MASTER]

Regarding excessive wear on the left side of tire .... remember that 90% of American roads are formed to crown at the centerline and slope downward toward the curb, ergo, the left side of your tire, particularly if you're primarily straight lining or city riding, will demonstrate excessive left side wear, where essentially it is the primary contact point with the road surface.

Read of a similar issue sometime ago on one of the national Gold Wing board where a feller was having a heckuva time with the exact problem. It was deduced that he never road the curves and only made left turns. Okay ... that last part was a stretch. His mechanic told him to hit the twisties.

[DrewDanube]

My FRONT tire is showing slightly more wear on the left of center over the right.  I was worried that there was something wrong...then logic prevailed and I realized that most of the roads I was driving on were relatively straight and designed for at least fairly good drainage. 

[clsbill]

I see the point about sloping roads but I mean this really looks excessive with the cupping exaggerated.  By far not an expert but looks to be the tire rolling slanted or crooked.  Bike has about 19k on it.  Have noticed a rattle which I cannot find.  May be a rear shock.  I was concerned that it may be bearings or drivetrain.  Thanks.

[DrewDanube]

Check the shock bushings...they are easy to check (if they are mushroomed out) and the cheapest thing to replace. 

[Daniel Meyer]

I would expect it's air pressure. You've described classic symptoms. The consensus among the distance crowd is that you have to run rear Avons at 46-48 psi and the fronts at 42-44 to get decent wear.

Also, check out your gauge against a couple others and make sure it's accurate. I've found a lot of bad guages in my time.

[clsbill]

Thanks everyone.  I checked the shock bushings and added more air to the tires.  If I ever find my other tire gauge I will double check or buy a knew one.  Guess I will go do some riding to see if it worsens.  I will drive down the left side to even the wear.    Guess everyone feels it is safe to ride it. 

[Curtis_2Valks]

I sure wouldn't worry about bearings a 19k.........she's just starting to get broken in good.  I'm at 60k with the only drive line related problem being a u-joint failure, and quite recently at that.

Curtis

P.S.  ...........and I've also dealt with Eric at Howells and been very satisfied, although I only bought tires and one motorcycle from him, never any service work. http://www.howellscycle.com