Thanks to all for the wealth of info here and your reposnses...

[Medic]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who've responded to my posts in the past...and to all who have contributed to the wealth of info in ShopTalk.

I posted a while back about having some popping / skipping on the right side of my 97 Standard until warmed up..several folks responded and thoughts included vaccum leaks, petcock, jets, plugs..

She's already been DeSmogged so I was fairly sure a leak wasn't the issue, and I had also already ran some heavy doses of SeaFoam through her without luck.

Finally got around to tackling the issue...Tried changing out plugs first, I had E3's in for about a year and the popping slowly started shortly after (heard some folks had issues w/ them) so I switched them out for NGK Iridium..popping still present, but the start was improved. Next I went after the carbs and petcock. Rebuilt the petcock..old parts looked fine, and my reserve and off had been functioning, but what the hey she had 30,000 on her anyway, so shes rebuilt. Tried to drop the bowls and change the slow jets without pulling the whole carb bank (using the bungee method)...but some of the pilots were seized a little so I pulled the whole bank out. Cleaned the bowls (they were pretty cruddy in the bottoms) and traded out the stock 35 slows for new 38's. Put everything back together and also switched the standard carb springs out for Interstate springs.

Now all this may seem like difficult work for some (including myself when I first thought about it). But with all the good folks and info found on these pages...it was pretty straight forward. The trick for putting the airbox back in using string to pull the tubes in made it a snap to replace.

Dont know for sure if it was the petcock or the jets (Im betting the jets) but after replacing the jets and rebuilding the petcock...shes back like new with no popping. On my first test ride, I must agree that installing the Intersate springs did give her a little more throttle response.

With help from here, this backyard mechanic has learned a lot and between this endeavor and others, have had my lady pretty much stripped down to the engine block and trans. Previously I've traded out the triple trees, changed the fork springs and pulled both wheels and serviced the rear end. All with the knowledge from you guys.

Anyways, like I started off saying...THANKS to all who post / reply here and to all who've contributed to ShopTalk

[Thunderbolt]

I don't like seeing a post go unanswered.  I sometimes try to contribute to the discussion if I have been through the problem being discussed.  And I have learned a lot from this board.  There is a wealth of information here.

[F6Mark]

I hadn't heard about swapping out the card springs- what does that do for us?

Also I totally agree about the wealth of info- when I recently changed the brake and clutch fluid people had answers for me almost before I asked!!

[stude31]

With help from here, this backyard mechanic has learned a lot and between this endeavor and others, have had my lady pretty much stripped down to the engine block and trans. Previously I've traded out the triple trees, changed the fork springs and pulled both wheels and serviced the rear end. All with the knowledge from you guys.

Anyways, like I started off saying...THANKS to all who post / reply here and to all who've contributed to ShopTalk

Medic,  I stand right beside you...  There isn't one thing I have done to my bike that I haven't learned from this board.  Very informative and discriptive explanations to fixing any problem one encounters...   Here's to a great forum!! 

[Printer Mike]

I'm sure liking what I'm reading in this thread!

I'm a DIY type of guy and hope to keep my "new" '98 Tourer in tip top shape. I also enjoy sharing helpful info. and tips when I can.

[roboto65]

Well if you have a Standard or Tourer swapping in the Interstate carb springs will give you better throttle response!

[F6Mark]

Is it a case of the IS springs are 'weaker' than the others?  haha
Which results in the throttle is easier to twist?  Interesting, I've never ridden an IS, I will have to check those springs out.  Now I wonder how much this little mod is going to run me!  Actually I was looking for another small project- lately I did ebc pads, then Honda pads, front and rear, brake fluid front/rear, clutch fluid, speedbleeders, coolant, spline&shaft grease, rear unit fluid, oil/filter, new K&N air filter, quick disconnect fuel supply,... and I guess thats about it.  Looks like a lot but anyone who is reasonably proficient could do it all in a day or less.  I took my time and did it over a month.
Mark

[John U.]

The Interstate carb springs are one of the least expensive things you can do. Check HDL, I think they were less than 15 bucks when I bought mine. Of course to make them really work as intended you'll need an Interstate ICM. That will run 10 times (or more)  the cost of the springs.
It's a bit like peeling away the layers of an onion, except the mods seem to get bigger and more costly instead of smaller.
If the ICM replacement is too spendy, check out the ECT timing mod in shop talk. It's cheap, not too difficult and it (along with the IS carb springs) will please your inner speed demon 

[Willow]

The Interstate carb springs are one of the least expensive things you can do. Check HDL, I think they were less than 15 bucks when I bought mine. Of course to make them really work as intended you'll need an Interstate ICM. That will run 10 times (or more)  the cost of the springs.

I'm not sure I understand the connection between the I/S carb springs and the I/S ICM.  Could someone knowledgeable enlighten me?

A lot of Standard and Tourer riders have put in the Interstate carb springs without changing the ICM.

[humshark]

Willow -

I'm not sure I understand the connection between the I/S carb springs and the I/S ICM.  Could someone knowledgeable enlighten me?

I may not be the knowledgeable guy you're looking for, but i think i know this one!

I/S models came off the line with more HP.  That was due to the I/S ignition Module AND Carburetor Springs.  Among some of the things the I/S module does is use timing advance differently from the Standards and Tourers, giving a bit more grunt.  It's also why I/S owners are warned away from mechanical 6 degree advance wheels.

Carburetor springs are located on top of the slide and because they are "weaker" than the standard / tourer springs they tend to let the slide open FASTER when you twist the throttle.

Standard / Tourer owners picked up on this real fast.  Switching them out is a CHEAP bang for your buck with no fancy modifications.  It simply allows the Carburetor slides to respond more quickly to the throttle setting your twisting at the handlebar!

Switching to an I/S ignition module garners you the timing changes made for the I/S that help it produce the added ponies all from a HONDA backed product!

[Willow]

Willow -
I may not be the knowledgeable guy you're looking for, but i think i know this one!

Thanks, Shark.  I knew everything you just told me ( I disagree with the springs resulting in more HP).  I just don't see the connection between the springs and the ICM.  

The more aggressive curve of the I/S is to assist with the additional weight.  the I/S carb springs are at once both weaker and stronger, depending upon what and where you measure.  

[John U.]

I don't pretend to be the ultimate font of knowledge re. Valks or anything else.
My previous post was based on my belief that the quicker throttle response with IS springs compliments the steeper IS ICM advance curve by providing more fuel quicker; not more HP just faster response.
I am happy to be corrected if this logic is faulty, it all goes to increase our understanding of what makes the big girl go.

[F6Mark]

I appreciate the info, I will look into this but the carb springs sounds good.  I don't remember seeing any info on the changeout of the tourer ICM but sounds interesting- I did see some stuff on the ECT mod.  I need to look at both of these right away before the summer is over!

[humshark]

You and I agree! ( Willow)

( I disagree with the springs resulting in more HP)

They don't add HP, they result in an improved response, a quicker path to the tapped HP that is waiting to be unleashed!  

There is NO connection between the two, other than during testing, Honda may have felt that the faster response time on the slides helped shave some time off of getting to the "grin zone".  As long as the fuel can stay in step with the faster increased volume of air.