Things I've learned on the desmog

[old2soon]

Right from the git go my hands are NOT near as nimble as they used to be. Getting the air injection thingy off the underside of the head wasn't too awful bad. Reinstall on the other hand-I'm an ex trucker and an ex Sailor and I learned new and exciting curse words-well-thinkin you might hadda be there!  Ended up dropping the exhaust system and wonder of wonders-nary one broken stud.  Once I got that pesky exhaust system outin the way the modified-read plugged-and minus the air tubes-air injection thingys bolted right up!  THOUGHT the freeze plugs were gonna be a problem but they went in slick as snot on a doorknob. I have an O'Reillys close and was able to source a lot of my stuff at the parts house. I'm thinking on the rear freeze plugs of modifying the chrome things that were there and maybe so they fit flush to the block and J B weld them in place-little more chrome doncha know!  The exhaust gaskets I was able to tap GENTLY the round end of a butter knife between the interior seating surface and the gasket. Got a little groove started and a small common screwdriver popped those suckers right outa there. Air box install coming up!  I've read a LOT of posts on THAT procedure and I KNOW it will either kick my butt or-this PLEASE-go right in!  And BEFORE anyone asks-not only NO but HELL NO-don't wanna do another desmog!  BUT as with all the other stuff I've done on my Valkyrie-It's a learning experience and a labor of love!  RIDE SAFE.

[Tfrank59]

Well thanks for relating your experiences.  I've had my bike seven months, and I've read a lot about desmog, but for reasons you described in your post I hesitate to do it–and also because well it just looks complicated to me.    I bought the kit a long time ago, last summer, and I often hear the noise from the pair valves, but it really hasn't affected performance yet, at least I don't think it has.  So maybe I'm just going to pass on it for a while. If it becomes an issue or if I get somebody who's really smart and has done it before (who has invented all the new cuss words) to help me, then I'll probably get more serious about tackling it.

[Gavin_Sons]

really is not hard at all, like old2soon said, there are a couple places hard to get to with wrenches and allens but other than that not bad. i'll be doing my bike this weekend with the shiny kit.

[da prez]

It is only as hard as you make it . A long ball end allen wrench makes the bottom install pretty easy. I ran the allen bolt in and out a couple times before putting in the cap-off. This also helps to give you the angle of approach. I have done three.

                        da prez

[old2soon]

Well thanks for relating your experiences.  I've had my bike seven months, and I've read a lot about desmog, but for reasons you described in your post I hesitate to do it–and also because well it just looks complicated to me.    I bought the kit a long time ago, last summer, and I often hear the noise from the pair valves, but it really hasn't affected performance yet, at least I don't think it has.  So maybe I'm just going to pass on it for a while. If it becomes an issue or if I get somebody who's really smart and has done it before (who has invented all the new cuss words) to help me, then I'll probably get more serious about tackling it.

    If yer doing your own service you CAN do a desmog. NOT tryin to scare you off. There are 2 procedures for desmog in the shop talk pages. I used the Canadian one because of the pictures that accompany the article. Blew them up and printed them off and I knew EXACTLY what needed to be removed capped off and reinstalled. I'm NOT a mechanic but I know which end of a wrench to hang on to!  I found it easier to remove the carb runners to cap them off. Arthritis has slowed down my old meat hooks some BUT I still enjoy doing my own work. When you go to start desmog run your fuel tank down almost to reserve-it be lighter that way!  And-yuppers-called my brother-da prez-a time or 3 or 8 or so-he on the other hand IS a mechanic!  Works on H/Ds to feed his Valkyrie addiction!  RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

Both the desmog articles in Shop Talk have fine pictures to work from. Either one WILL get the job done, Like anything you've done-DO NOT GO THERE-the first time read up on it then tackle the job. Doing this procedure eliminates a LOT of potential vacuum leaks. Even if your Valkyrie is a 2000 model all those lines are 15 years old already. I've had my Valkyrie coming up on 5 years. Like I said-when I went to remove the fuel line from the fuel valve the fuel line broke.  And NO NO NO it was NOT long enough to trim off the broken piece and reattach. Gravity feed fuel system keep lines short straight and level. And some-most-of the vacuum lines were dry and crumbly.  NOT good as they were allowing extra air into the engine. When I get done I'll have one vacuum line left operable-#6 carb to my fuel valve. REALLY not as difficult as I appeared to try too make it sound. Tfrank 59 I don't know how old you are but as I stated I'm 70 and the floor is further away than it was down and more importantly-back up!  When I lay on the concrete now i need the rubber pad and a blanket over the pad.  Good prescription drugs help!  RIDE SAFE.

[Tfrank59]

Both the desmog articles in Shop Talk have fine pictures to work from. Either one WILL get the job done, Like anything you've done-DO NOT GO THERE-the first time read up on it then tackle the job. Doing this procedure eliminates a LOT of potential vacuum leaks. Even if your Valkyrie is a 2000 model all those lines are 15 years old already. I've had my Valkyrie coming up on 5 years. Like I said-when I went to remove the fuel line from the fuel valve the fuel line broke.  And NO NO NO it was NOT long enough to trim off the broken piece and reattach. Gravity feed fuel system keep lines short straight and level. And some-most-of the vacuum lines were dry and crumbly.  NOT good as they were allowing extra air into the engine. When I get done I'll have one vacuum line left operable-#6 carb to my fuel valve. REALLY not as difficult as I appeared to try too make it sound. Tfrank 59 I don't know how old you are but as I stated I'm 70 and the floor is further away than it was down and more importantly-back up!  When I lay on the concrete now i need the rubber pad and a blanket over the pad.  Good prescription drugs help!  RIDE SAFE.

Ha, well like my handle says I'm a 1959 model. And I also know which end of a wrench to hold onto  , but at this point I'm much more interested in riding than working on the bike – well okay I like to polish on her but I don't like getting down on the floor and wrestling with her much.  So if there's something I can do to really improve the performance, or preventive maintenance that'll keep me riding happy, I'll do it otherwise I got other priorities. Right now I got two new timing belts to look at putting on, and I'm a little nervous about that because it's my first time getting in there.

[old2soon]

Did my cam belts already. READ about it and remember to keep the timing marks lined up according to the manual. With these being interference engines I was nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.  BUT I took my time quadruple checked everything 3 times and when I hit the starter it ran WITHOUT self destruction noises!  RIDE SAFE.

[Brian]

There are simple ways to block off those air tubes. My simple way was just leaving them in place filling in the open ends with JB Weld. I later then tried removing one tube using the freeze plug method. It's not that hard to block these off. All it takes is time and money no matter what method you use. I do not miss the weird noises those valves would make.

[PhredValk]

I did my desmog last spring. I bought the kit, but didn't use it, just filled all the left over vacuum hoses with silicone and glued 3/8 vacuum caps onto the chrome tubes under the air box (who wants to remove chrome??). If I have to replace everything due to future smog regulations I can do it in half an afternoon.
Fred.

[da prez]

  Tfrank , the de-smog is fairly easy compared to pushing a broke down bike that had a fuel control vacuum line break. Plenty of help and very good pictures here.
  On the timing belts, follow the instructions and I pulled all the spark plugs and barred the engine over two or three turns by hand. I then spun with the starter. Put the plugs back in and started before putting the timing cover on.

                         da prez

[Tfrank59]

I did my desmog last spring. I bought the kit, but didn't use it, just filled all the left over vacuum hoses with silicone and glued 3/8 vacuum caps onto the chrome tubes under the air box (who wants to remove chrome??).

" If I have to replace everything due to future smog regulations I can do it in half an afternoon."

I guess this is the other reason for my hesitation on the desmog – I'm reading that big brother's going to come down on us all some day and make us have the stuff working!  That's one reason I bought the stealth kit, because it's supposed to be easy to reverse and meanwhile not obvious that it's been desmogged.  

[h0race]

Hello all.. been lurking for awhile... I think this is my first post.. I am in the middle of de-smogging my fat lady at the moment... but I'm doing it so I can make room for/and make it easier to put the Audovox cruise control on.  My problem at the moment is I cannot find the 14mm freeze plugs anywhere.  For you guys putting your own stuff together, where did you find the freeze plugs?

I'm in western Washington.

h0race

[da prez]

Oreily or any good parts store if not in stock can order them. Buy a full box , (10). It is usually as cheap as four. Then they do not have to carry the other six  in stock.

                           da prez 

[old2soon]

Hello all.. been lurking for awhile... I think this is my first post.. I am in the middle of de-smogging my fat lady at the moment... but I'm doing it so I can make room for/and make it easier to put the Audovox cruise control on.  My problem at the moment is I cannot find the 14mm freeze plugs anywhere.  For you guys putting your own stuff together, where did you find the freeze plugs?

I'm in western Washington.

h0race

     While you are in that far go ahead and replace those fuel lines. Get the O E M lines from Honda. RIDE SAFE.

[h0race]

Oreily or any good parts store if not in stock can order them. Buy a full box , (10). It is usually as cheap as four. Then they do not have to carry the other six  in stock.

                           da prez 

Yep, went to O'Reilly's and they have a 13.7mm something and a 14.38mm something... same thing at Auto zone and Napa.. I went and ordered the 14.38mm and figured at .34 cents per, I will buy a box and try to turn them down on my lathe. 

h0race

[old2soon]

Oreily or any good parts store if not in stock can order them. Buy a full box , (10). It is usually as cheap as four. Then they do not have to carry the other six  in stock.

                           da prez 

Yep, went to O'Reilly's and they have a 13.7mm something and a 14.38mm something... same thing at Auto zone and Napa.. I went and ordered the 14.38mm and figured at .34 cents per, I will buy a box and try to turn them down on my lathe. 

h0race

    Naturally I can't find the box mine arrived in but they are 14.something-most likely the 14.38 you stated and mine went in with a little persuasion from me. NO/NONE/NADA need to turn them down. Can't remember but my 7 or 8 M M socket in 1/4" drive got them driven in with out locking themselves to the socket. Again=NO NEED to turn down the freeze plugs. RIDE SAFE.

[h0race]

Naturally I can't find the box mine arrived in but they are 14.something-most likely the 14.38 you stated and mine went in with a little persuasion from me. NO/NONE/NADA need to turn them down. Can't remember but my 7 or 8 M M socket in 1/4" drive got them driven in with out locking themselves to the socket. Again=NO NEED to turn down the freeze plugs. RIDE SAFE.

Well, that's comforting... 14.somthing it is then.. seriously, not going to worry about it anymore

Thanks for the feedback...

h0race

[h0race]

Well, that's comforting... 14.somthing it is then.. seriously, not going to worry about it anymore

Thanks for the feedback...

h0race

UPDATE: A lot of worry for nothing... Desmog done and my ride is back on the road!  Audovox Cruise installed and everything.  Works like a champ...

[old2soon]

hOrace-how much fun was your air box on reinstall?  Not ashamed to admit mine kicked my ass up and down the garage a couple of times!  Also found out on the fuel lines from fuel petcock to the T fitting still available. From the T fitting to the fuel rails you can no longer get the shorter one that goes to he right side fuel rail. You order 2 longer ones that go to the left side and cut one down for the right. Tried-without success-to use after market fuel line. Had a LOT of help over the phone and on he computer from Atticrat and my brother-da prez. The mechanical knowledge these two guys possess is phenomenal. I DO NOT believe I'm overstating it here but I'd go as far as calling Atticrat a Valkyrie guru  The fact my brother spends a lot of his time every day working on mostly H/Ds to feed his Valkyrie habit still amuses me!  And my desmog took me way too long but it is done and I have ridden her like I always ride her-like I stole it!  Thank goodness when I do work on it it's for me and if I miss the customer delivery date the customer and the mechanic go have a beer together!  RIDE SAFE.

[h0race]

hOrace-how much fun was your air box on reinstall?  Not ashamed to admit mine kicked my ass up and down the garage a couple of times!  Also found out on the fuel lines from fuel petcock to the T fitting still available. From the T fitting to the fuel rails you can no longer get the shorter one that goes to he right side fuel rail. You order 2 longer ones that go to the left side and cut one down for the right. Tried-without success-to use after market fuel line. Had a LOT of help over the phone and on he computer from Atticrat and my brother-da prez. The mechanical knowledge these two guys possess is phenomenal. I DO NOT believe I'm overstating it here but I'd go as far as calling Atticrat a Valkyrie guru  The fact my brother spends a lot of his time every day working on mostly H/Ds to feed his Valkyrie habit still amuses me!  And my desmog took me way too long but it is done and I have ridden her like I always ride her-like I stole it!  Thank goodness when I do work on it it's for me and if I miss the customer delivery date the customer and the mechanic go have a beer together!  RIDE SAFE.

So here's the story.... and it will snowball... and since this is your thread, old2soon, I won't be worried of hijacking it I bought my 98 last May (2014) with 33 hundred miles on it... the guy I bought it from told me he had the fuel lines and other rubber parts replaced when he re-jetted the carbs... He had in fact replaced them.  I can't tell if it is OEM or not... but he gave me everything he took off of the bike... and why used fuel lines... couldn't tell ya.  I have since tossed out anything that was confirmed to be trash.  This bike was a rescue from someone who didn't like it but never sold it until 4 or 5 years ago (to who I bought it from).  It sat under a carport for years being neglected.

The 2nd PO put low rise handlebars on it with show chrome heated grips.. one side would heat fairly warm but the other I could barley tell it was on.  So, I decided to take the tank off and look at his wiring... even MacGyver would be ashamed.. I sorted it out and it seemed to function a little better..  The one thing that set uneasy with me was when I pulled the tank off, I found a a piece if parachute cord wrapped around the frame and over the air box.  There was a piece of duct tape holding down the end of the cord onto the box.  You couldn't see it with the tank in place and I couldn't tell what it could be holding down.  My fist thought was to pull it off and toss it  but it was in the middle of riding season and I didn't want a little piece of rope to cost me riding time or grief... so I decided to look at it further in the winter... Well we had a mild winter here in the PNW so I continued to ride and blew it off.

In the first week of March, I had surgery planned on my throttle hand.  They were cutting into a few places..  so to keep me off the bike, I threw the wife on the back and took a real long ride the day before... I ran the Valk all the way out of gas and to the point of needing to put 1/2 gallon in it to get home. (all planned of course).  Parked the bike in the garage and got it up on my motorcycle jack, put a block of wood under the rear tire and jack stands on the front.  I decided I was going to put the OEM handlebars back on the bike... I have been planning to do so since the day I got the bike. 

So, the day after surgery, I started to one handed tear it apart.  Since it is only the wife and I now, it was easy to talk her into letting me bring motorcycle parts into the living room.  I think she felt sorry for me because it was a "first ever" in our time together.  I'd take a part off the bike and bring it into the house.. put a bunch of old shop towels on the carpet and lined everything up..  I didn't know it but I was going in deeper than I had ever planned... Handlebars turned into de-smog and cruise control... and of course washing every part that came off... putting a couple coats of wax or polish on everything before assembly.

So, all that to bring me back to this piece of parachute cord I mentioned... I saw somewhere on one of these forums a guy using said cord wrapped around the down tubes to draw them in for air box assembly... the light went off and I now see that the guy who last worked on this bike did me a favor by leaving behind the tool he used for air box assembly.  It didn't kick my ass but took me around 15 to 20 minutes to get it seated.  I have a lot of patients when I have nowhere to go.

I got everything but the windscreen back together and took it for a ride last Monday night.  It was the first time I had rode this fat lady without the windscreen in place and it was exhilarating... I decided to ride my 40 miles to work without the windscreen the next day... buddy! I froze my neck, cheeks, and forehead! Didn't realize how bad my helmet leaks at 70 mph.  I got home that night and put the wind screen back on. 

I am currently at home... recovering from a nasty cold that had me in bed Friday, Saturday, half of Sunday... and I couldn't take it this morning at work so I left an hour after I got there.  I am not saying that riding without the windscreen made me sick but I am saying it didn't help.

Oh, and love the cruise control!


-h0race

edit: I forgot to mention I ramble when I'm sick....

[Bambam650]

There is one (or maybe two) bolt on the check valve manifold that is nearly impossible to get to that really gave me a fit.  I forget what I ended up doing now to remove it.  I think an open end crows foot would have been the best tool to use.  I don't remember the airbox reinstallation being too bad.

For anyone who is on the fence because it looks too intimidating, I say just go for it.  My bike ran better after the desmog and it completely eliminated all the popping and gurgling on deceleration.  Plus I was glad to shed the bag full of unwanted parts that I ended up with.