Holy Crap Batman, this guy was a Joker!

[1500Rider]

Well, started pulling some parts off the bike in order to fix the hydrolock damage that the previous owner had, which he didn't tell me about of course. Ordered all the parts and tools I need but wanted to get a head start of some of the work. Removing components from the right side of the bike I just removed the right exhaust system. As I did, two exhaust gaskets fell out. Crawled under to retrieve the third and inspect the head. That's when I noticed the exhaust seats didn't look quite right. Turns out the previous owner followed the Honda instructions about putting new gaskets in whenever the exhaust was removed. Unfortunately common sense didn't tell him to remove the old ones! Ended up pulling a total of seven gaskets out of the right side where there should have only been three!

I knew from the rebuild I've been doing over the past year on the bike that the previous owner, who claimed to be a bike mechanic, was a complete clown when it came to working on his bike but this is ridiculous! Found so many errors and shortcuts he had taken on the bike as I've progressed through the work. God only knows what I'll find as I continue. It's a wonder the bike ran as good as it did when I bought it. Good thing I decided to do a rebuild just because I'm anal because it didn't seem like it needed it at the time. Been a long year but will be glad when she's finally done.

[BobB]

   Wow!  I sounds like you acquired a project bike, and it's the wrong time of year for projects.  If a guy cannot get exhaust gaskets right, then I would assume that everything he touched is messed up.  But I guess you already knew that.  I do all my own work short of splitting engine cases and I have no had to deal with the hydrolock damage facing yourself.  There are many things on the Valk that, maintenance wise, are critical and must be done correctly.  We have seen that Honda and the service manuals sometimes miss the boat.  This message board is a great help.  If you can contact the prior owner, I would ask for a list of everything he touched and check those out.  If I were in your shoes, I would not trust the bike on the open road until I go through it.  Good luck!    Bob         

[1500Rider]

Thanks for the encouragement Bob. Been discovering all sorts of little things as the project has progressed. I'm hoping this is the last one. Pretty much broken everything down except the engine and transmission. Will take apart what I need to fix the hydrolock damage and leave it at that. Last time I rode the bike, about 150 miles, engine was smooth and strong. I'm really hoping nothing else internal is wrong.

I had asked the previous owner, when I bought the bike, the things he worked on and so far I've covered everything. He obviously wasn't a bike mechanic. I don't claim to be either but, after many years of doing most of my own work, I've gotten fairly good at it. Of course, common sense goes a long way too.

[T.RexRacing]

I'm a full time bike tech. You have no idea what we see. Insanity and stupidity are very close to each other. The last thing I want to hear is "I usually do all my own work."

[BobB]

T.Rex.Racing, yes I'm sure see a great deal of stupidity, as has 1500Rider with his Valk.  Where you stand, those "do my own work" words may raise an alarm and I understand that.  But in the 5+ years that I have owned my '98 Tourer, I have found that there is a lack of Valkyrie specific knowledge in every Honda dealership or independent shop that I have talked to or dealt with.  Case in point is the lubrication issue we have with the drive shaft and spline cup in front of the pumpkin.   This is a topic at the Inzane tech sessions and has been covered on this web site.  I had it fail last year, right after Inzane, when I was still 700 miles from home.   The major dealer in Nashville, TN, Howard's Honda, had never dealt with this problem and after returning, I inquired at my local dealership and got the same non-answer.  So personally I have relied on the two service manuals I have ( Honda & Clymer ), the tech sessions at Inzane, the content of this web site, my 49 years of motorcycling experience and my degree in Mechanical Engineering.  For what I do, that's enough.

1500Rider, it sounds like you are on top of things.  I hope you can ride your Fat Lady more that you have to wrench on it.  I am shocked that more Valkalcoholics have not chimed in here.  Maybe the issues you have with your bike are not specific or a little overwhelming.       

[1500Rider]

I certainly understand your thoughts as a mechanic about people doing their own work. Some are definitely out of their league attempting to do their own maintenance while many others I would trust over some dealership mechanics. I agree with Plunker about the limited knowledge some dealerships have about our bikes. In the small town I live in they've never even seen a Valkyrie. I took my VFR into the dealer once to have some carb work done and they managed to bugger it right up.

While I do most of my own work, anything serious or that I know is over my head, I take to a professional. In my case, that means a several hour trip to a larger centre. It's just a shame that some people think nothing is above their abilities. Unfortunately, the previous owner of my Valk obviously thought he could handle anything and it looks like I'm paying the price now. It will be nice o have the bike finished and back on the road. Still a ways to go up this way until riding season begins so I have some time. At least I'll have my Goldwing ready soon even if the Valk takes a while longer.

[BonS]

I'm a full time bike tech. You have no idea what we see. Insanity and stupidity are very close to each other. The last thing I want to hear is "I usually do all my own work."

You visit a tech section on a motorcycle forum and throw out a generalized dig at bike owners that perform their own maintenance?! On your second post? How about pitching in here and helping with some constructive advice and knowledge that we can all benefit from? Thanks, and welcome to the VRCC!

[T.RexRacing]

Touchy aren't we? That wasn't directed at anyone. Just concurring with the OP about the screw ups people do when wrenching on their own bikes.

Somehow I knew someone would get it wrong. 

[BonS]

Touchy aren't we? That wasn't directed at anyone. Just concurring with the OP about the screw ups people do when wrenching on their own bikes.

Somehow I knew someone would get it wrong. 

Not really a shout down, just a plea for you to pitch in and help us all out here. We can always use more constructive input; especially here in the tech section!! 

[salty1]

Touchy aren't we? That wasn't directed at anyone. Just concurring with the OP about the screw ups people do when wrenching on their own bikes.

Somehow I knew someone would get it wrong. 

Not really a shout down, just a plea for you to pitch in and help us all out here. We can always use more constructive input; especially here in the tech section!! 

+1 All we can get! 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

My son bought his valk just weeks before he and his wife were leaving for a 3 week journey on it. A small bit of the problems we found were..... Wiring harness under the rear fender hadn't been secured after repainting and was rubbing on the tire. After market levers were installed without the pivot bushing. Bushing was left out of one of the progressive shocks. "O" ring was left off the aftermarket dipstick. Oil was way overfull. Aftermarket risers were loose on triple clamp. None of the wiring terminals/plugs which were disconnected for having the tins painted were hooked back up fully. Exhaust on left side was falling off. Aftermarket "tank spacer" was laying on engine under carbs. Chrome cover was preventing petcock from working correctly. Heel-toe shifter meant for another bike didn't work right on the valk. Tires had been ran with less than 15lbs in them and though they were new, they were both ruined by cracked sidewalls. Aftermarket foot-pegs had missing parts. Chrome transmission covers were incorrectly installed and loose. HD type saddlebags had to be dismounted and correct size spacers for them made and installed.

That's all I can remember off-hand.

[salty1]

My son bought his valk just weeks before he and his wife were leaving for a 3 week journey on it. A small bit of the problems we found were..... Wiring harness under the rear fender hadn't been secured after repainting and was rubbing on the tire. After market levers were installed without the pivot bushing. Bushing was left out of one of the progressive shocks. "O" ring was left off the aftermarket dipstick. Oil was way overfull. Aftermarket risers were loose on triple clamp. None of the wiring terminals/plugs which were disconnected for having the tins painted were hooked back up fully. Exhaust on left side was falling off. Aftermarket "tank spacer" was laying on engine under carbs. Chrome cover was preventing petcock from working correctly. Heel-toe shifter meant for another bike didn't work right on the valk. Tires had been ran with less than 15lbs in them and though they were new, they were both ruined by cracked sidewalls. Aftermarket foot-pegs had missing parts. Chrome transmission covers were incorrectly installed and loose. HD type saddlebags had to be dismounted and correct size spacers for them made and installed.

That's all I can remember off-hand.

It must have a "looker" or a great deal to take on all that. The PO didn't have a clue.

[T.RexRacing]

I've seen the same come in the shop after other shops did the work. It's not only DIY guys that do insane stuff.

What I'm working on now. 2001 Valkyrie custom.

[R J]

AW, looks like someone is installing a blower......

[T.RexRacing]

Man,ya didn't even notice the paint,fairing or 3 thousand other things I've done.

[Bone]

First I noticed the blower, then the front fender (paint), still looken.

[T.RexRacing]

I'll stop now. We'll do a thread on it soon.

[Bone]

I like 

[BradValk48237]

'Cause while we like cool Paint N Chrome..... and it is....

Blowers make's us all tingly inside....... 

Brad

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

My son bought his valk just weeks before he and his wife were leaving for a 3 week journey on it. A small bit of the problems we found were..... Wiring harness under the rear fender hadn't been secured after repainting and was rubbing on the tire. After market levers were installed without the pivot bushing. Bushing was left out of one of the progressive shocks. "O" ring was left off the aftermarket dipstick. Oil was way overfull. Aftermarket risers were loose on triple clamp. None of the wiring terminals/plugs which were disconnected for having the tins painted were hooked back up fully. Exhaust on left side was falling off. Aftermarket "tank spacer" was laying on engine under carbs. Chrome cover was preventing petcock from working correctly. Heel-toe shifter meant for another bike didn't work right on the valk. Tires had been ran with less than 15lbs in them and though they were new, they were both ruined by cracked sidewalls. Aftermarket foot-pegs had missing parts. Chrome transmission covers were incorrectly installed and loose. HD type saddlebags had to be dismounted and correct size spacers for them made and installed.

That's all I can remember off-hand.

It must have a "looker" or a great deal to take on all that. The PO didn't have a clue.

It is a good looker. Just realized I lost my photostash password and info when my PC died last week or I'd post a pic. To tell the truth though, I missed a lot when we looked at it. I saw the tires of course and the overfull oil but most of the rest I missed even on the test ride. It's been a great bike for him and he's got a lot of states on it but I was pretty embarrassed when I started realizing all the problems it had that I missed when we looked at it. To say that I was nervous when they left on that 3 week trip to the West and the South just a few weeks after he bought it would be an understatement.  Only the petcock with it's cover induced problem gave them any grief though. And that was fixed by a New Mexico state cop with a gas can.

[pancho]

Touchy aren't we? That wasn't directed at anyone. Just concurring with the OP about the screw ups people do when wrenching on their own bikes.

Somehow I knew someone would get it wrong. 

Look,, a lot of people work on their own rides,, some should not touch a tool and some are excellent mechanics.. Valkyrie owners and PO's are no exception.....  I agree with RonS, there is no room for over covering negative statements about what most on this Tech Board are doing,,,, it's why we are here. There is a lot of experience and knowledge here,, learn and contribute.

[T.RexRacing]

Look,,I get it. We've passed that. OK?

[jimmytee]

Hey T-Rex,  is that a new blower? That is one mod I would love to do. Just a hunk of change. Got some info on it last year, so I believe the kits are still available, but wasn't sure.

[pancho]

Look,,I get it. We've passed that. OK?

Welcome to the board................

[T.RexRacing]

Hey T-Rex,  is that a new blower? That is one mod I would love to do. Just a hunk of change. Got some info on it last year, so I believe the kits are still available, but wasn't sure.

Yes it is. Bill is still cranking them out. It's a customer's bike not mine.

The only reason I'm here is I had to register to use the search function when I was seeking an ignition  to accommodate the boost. In order to do that I was asked to keep some things to myself as a commercial enterprise not sponsoring the board. 

It should see the dyno today.

[jimmytee]

  would like to see the results.

[BobB]

Great looking Valk.  Except, is that a H-D horn cover on the side?  It's easily recognizable, I had one on my '65 XLH and it has not changed in all these years.   

[T.RexRacing]

Yeah. It's been pressed into service as a coil cover since relocating the coil set to the outside of the bracket.

The bags are H-D as well. 

[T.RexRacing]

Oh and the rear fender is a custom intended for H-D.

[BobB]

That explains it!  Be careful with all those H-D parts.  You would not want it to be mistaken for a Hog.
And there is a lot of idiots out there.   

[T.RexRacing]

They'd have to catch it first.

Man I gotta get to work!

[BonS]

I'd recommend moving the coil pack up and out of the way to make room for a respectable air filter to let the beast breathe the way it's going to need to. Another way to go is to use a velocity stack and a sock. But if this build is about riding and not about just showing it then I'd design in a proper air filter every time.

I had to lengthen the sparkler wires to reach the new location of the coils. Yellow was all I could get in 7mm locally. They're now black.

[T.RexRacing]

Did you use the supplied elbow or fab your own?

[BonS]

I fabbed my own double elbow using cut-down silicone elbows and cut-down stainless sleeve couplers. The K&N has an offset inlet that's positioned at the bottom on the back of the filter. It's a really, really tight fit but can be done. Tuning and practical use as a daily driver is now a piece of cake. Before this mod it was a pig to manage. Afterwards, a slo-jet change from 25 to 27.5 and all is good. To gain clearance the OEM petcock had to go and a Pingel petcock installed because it's smaller and has a downward facing fuel line inlet.

[johnny332]

Can you give us a little more info on the HD intended rear fender mod. I'm planning to so the same or similar and was wondering about the attachment  and support of that fender?

[vanagon40]

johnny332,

T.RexRacing last posted on this forum over 5 months ago.  You might try sending him a PM or try to contact him in some other method.  Good luck.

P.S.  Welcome back to the forum and feel free to make more than one or two posts per year.  Photos are always welcome.

[Bighead]

Also check with Bert aka valkaholic on the Florida thread I believe it was him that put a Streetglide fender and spacers on Larue's bike.