New Valkyrie Owner in O.C. needs recommendation for mechanic for carb work

[Glaserbeam]

Hi!  Picked up an '02 Valkyrie fixer-upper on Thanksgiving and still sorting it out.  Just had the brakes rebuilt (pads were dragging; bike had been in storage), now I need the carbs gone through because it idles rough and plugs reflect lean mixture.

Should I trust carb rebuilt to a Honda dealership?  I'm near O.C. Honda in Orange.  Or does anyone have a private mechanic I should see?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

Ken

[BigMac (SoCal)]

You'll find the information on the post from RV Trike. And a review as well.

Dave

[Glaserbeam]

Thanks.  They sound great, but for what is probably a multi-day job, they're too far away.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Anytime you want carbs done it's going to take a few days. Sometimes they have to take the carbs out more than once. I've had to take them out as much as 3 times before they were right. Although simple carbs everything has to be just right 6 times. Most dealers won't work on a bike over 15 years old.

Good luck,

Dave

[dentaldragon]

I've used OC Mobile Mechanics for years on all my motorcyles.
http://ocmobilemoto.com/

[Crummykid]

Hey Ken,

So I tackled the situation with my brother. Bought a rejet kit for $85.00 online and it took about 4-5 hrs. All it takes is a little mechanical inclination getting them off the bike make sure you keep track of all the vacuum lines, etc..(I didn't at first) but got it back together and it purrs like a kitten with the 6 to 6 drag pipes. Good luck!! Make sure you have a clymer manual just in case.

Crummy Kid

[Glaserbeam]

By touching the header pipes during warm-up, determined it was only idling on 3 carbs!  Removed the carbs (no problem there), low-speed jets were clear but the passageways into the throat were not - brown flakes came out when I shot carb cleaner through them.  Also confirmed main jets, needle jets, and float valves were OK.  Didn't remove or adjust mixture screws.

Took 4 hrs to reinstall the carbs!!! ... routing all the hoses and reaching all the hose clamps was the main pain.

Idles much better, but one header pipe still is cold during warm-up.  Using Seafoam for a few tankfuls to see if the helps.

Was getting 23 mpg before the servicing ... still getting 23.  Mostly commuting on highway, over 4,000 rpm.  Need to go on reserve at 100 miles.

Next I need to replace one of the inner timing belt covers.  Do I need the cam sprocket holding tool to loosen the bolt, or can I improvise?