carb rebuild.....how much?

[jimmyk]

can anyone tell me roughly ,what a dealer would charge for a carb rebuild?

[mmurffy03]

my dealer quoted me 500.00 to 600.00 labor plus jet kit at 120.00 and then says the problem i told him i had still may not be cured ...........so i left pulled my carbs and found a clogged slow jet in #1 cly. got 6 #38 slow jets from stutco and some misc seals from redeye adjusted my pilots to 1 3/4 out  and it runs better than new hardly ever needs the choke but then again it only has 8400 miles and should run like new my symptons before teardown were a idle that loped a bit bouncing from 900 to 1100 rpms a slight stumble just coming off the idle when throttle is applied and if i pulled the #1 spark plug wire idle did not change like it did on all other 5 cyls. it could be driven at throttle no problem but i just could not live with even such a small issue also that wasnt a complete rebuild more like a rejet job and clean floatbowls and not a full teardown but the bowls were spotless i question if the bike didnt come with a bad slow jet from the factory cause ive tried to unclog the jet but cant i also did a full shiney desmog kit from redeye and a carb sync and a pingle petcock upgrade to eliminate all future vacuum issues

[Chiefy]

2 yrs ago, the dealer I bought my bike from rebuilt the carbs for free under the 30 warranty.  He gave me an invoice showing the job was $800.00 before he zero'd it out.

[CajunRider]

My dealer quoted me $1000.  I ended up doing it myself.

I'd highly suggest getting a friend to help you and do it yourself also. (Kind words from a friend helps to even out the cursing you'll be doing when trying to get the carb bank back in place)

Or... show up at a VRCC event of some sort, and you'll have your pick of Valk Mechanics willing to give you a hand.  I watched a U-Joint get replaced within a few hours of a break down in Texas... I think it was at the "Gathering Of The Fools" a few years back.    

There are a LOT of good guys on this board... they are more than willing to help you where they can. 

[Ricky-D]

A carburetor rebuild is rarely ever necessary for the Valkyrie.

The jets are accessible although not easily.

There is normally nothing that needs to be replaced in the carburetors, and nothing wears out either.

The air cut valve hoses are probably the only culprits that may possibly need replacing.

You can more likely end up screwing things and ruining parts by trying to "rebuild" the carburetors.

Messing with the carburetors should absolutely be, the last resort in attempting to fix a real "carburetor problem".

Most all carburetor problems can be attributed to poor fuel and improper storing practices.

***

[Patrick]

I agree with the others.. Why not try several tanks heavily dosed with a good cleaner [ I happen to like Sea-foam,, a full can per tank won't hurt].. Ride the bike and keep the engine speed low as you can and keep lower as the engine starts running better.. If that doesn't work then get your hands dirty,, if you're fairly handy you can do it [with the help of us if needed]..

[mmurffy03]

a question for ricky and patrick (vrcc carb guys) if i installed hex head screws and remove the phillips heads can my float bowls be removed for a jet swap by just removing my intake runners and taking the bowls off and not removing the airbox ?

[Ricky-D]

The answer is yes.

And those screws, the OEM screws are special screws made to keep from stripping the carburetor body threaded holes.

You replace them with any other screws, hex head or cap screws, you chance damaging the carburetors.

Those stock screws come out easily and properly with the correct tools.

***

[Patrick]

Again the answer is yes.. Those bowl screws can be 'stinkers' to get out at times.. Some folks will try and use a phillips head driver on them and usually ruin them because they are not phillips head.. I don't have a problem replacing them with other style headed screws,, but,, whatever you decide,, never-seize is a good friend.. Some folks would rather remove the carburetor bank and flop it around on a bench,, which is fine.. I'd rather try to stand on my head and fix them while on the engine.. I also prefer to clean the original jets and with proper fuel additives at the right time they are still pretty bullet-proof.. The low circuit only seems to give problems when the bike isn't run enough and the fuel has been allowed to sit too long without being correctly treated.. I've had good luck using the above mentioned way of cleaning them with additive and riding,, but,, it sometimes takes several tanks to clean things up.. I buy Sea-foam by the gallon and use it in all my old and seasonal stuff..

[mmurffy03]

i changed my screws with the ones that redeye sells i think they are a #2 philips now

[salty1]

i changed my screws with the ones that redeye sells i think they are a #2 philips now

There ya go! If you are not comfortable cleaning your carbs, try sending out a plea for someone in your area to help you. Stealer repairs can be quite iffy, avoid it if possible. A lot of folks who thought they were unable tried it and we're quite successful.