Bike has been setting for a couple of years....

[Crazyhorse]

I'm starting with the fluids and then move to the tank and carbs. Any tips on going thru the carbs. Do I need to pull the bank on can you do a good cleaning while on the bike?

[Joe Hummer]

Really nice looking bike!!!

My bike also sat for 2 years with the old gas in the carbs and it was gummed up.  I was able to get it running by taking the bowls off and shooting carb cleaner in all the ports I would but it still wasn't right.  The idle jets were still plugged and it would require some choke to start it regardless of the outside temp.  I tried seafoam and all the other magic juice i could find and it didn't help. 

I finally broke down and took the bike to a good mechanic and he tore the carbs apart and sonic-cleaned it over night.  Put it back together and it ran great!!!! 

My suggestion would be to skip the frustration and take them apart and clean the right the first time. 

Joe

[1fastbob]

Really nice looking bike!!!

My bike also sat for 2 years with the old gas in the carbs and it was gummed up.  I was able to get it running by taking the bowls off and shooting carb cleaner in all the ports I would but it still wasn't right.  The idle jets were still plugged and it would require some choke to start it regardless of the outside temp.  I tried seafoam and all the other magic juice i could find and it didn't help. 

I finally broke down and took the bike to a good mechanic and he tore the carbs apart and sonic-cleaned it over night.  Put it back together and it ran great!!!! 

My suggestion would be to skip the frustration and take them apart and clean the right the first time. 

Joe

been there done that!  JOEVALK is correct, take apart fully and clean and reassemble to avoid the nighmare I am in right now. Getting ready to do my 3rd carb removal and I WILL TAKE THEM APART THIS TIME!!

[Crazyhorse]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll go ahead and pick up some vaccuum hose and replace them while I'm in there, and orings and........ 

[Kidd]

In  1998  , I bought a 1974 Honda trail  70  with 49 original miles and original tank of what used to be gasoline .
Took a while to get it running

[Crazyhorse]

Installed carbs after removal and cleaning. The old girl ran good like a fat lady should.



Now I have to order a new part for the gas tank.

[Disco]

That sure looks like a fun project, Crazyhorse.  I hope to give a Valkyrie a needed new home soon...    

If you still have the petcock out of the tank, would you mind measuring the OD of the fuel line nipple?  I need to stock up on fuel line for this weekend's wrench party.

Thanks,

DFG

[Crazyhorse]

Measured 3/8 " OD.

[Disco]

Thank you very much.  That's a big help.

[Ricky-D]

I would take a minimalist viewpoint regarding the carburetors, especially so if you are not familiar with all of the idiosyncrasies of a six carburetor setup.

Hopefully you have not tried to start the bike.

I suggest taking the bike and standing it up vertically however you can.

Remove the tank and contents and give the inside a through cleaning.

Remove the intake risers leaving the carburetors intact to the airbox hoses and flush the carburetors with a solvent, letting them sit over a period of time to dissolve all the accumulated deposits. Plug the intake ports on the cylinder heads to avoid anything getting into the cylinders.

Use a gentle spay apparatus to spray inside the venturi area of the carburetor for cleaning with the same solvent.

I suggest to not disturb any carburetor settings since the bike was probably running properly prior to this time.

Going slow and allowing the solvent to dissolve all the leftover deposits is crucial. Rushing this process will cause you more grief that you would ever expect.

Good lick there buddy!

***

[SPOFF]

My Valkyrie sat for 22 months but it was planned. Before storage I had drained the carbs and flushed them out with carb cleaner. Fresh gas, replaced the 12 year old OEM battery (which still worked fine, BTW) and it restarted immediately with no issues. I do close the petcock manually nowadays since I do not trust the float valves 100%. Although I've yet to have one leak.

Great looking bike, BTW.

[laserpat]

what worked for me was to drain the carb bowls, remove the tank and use a funel to pour undiluted yamalube carb cleaner let it sit over night, I had to do two applications. Runs great after sitting for 2 plus years. good luck

[Crazyhorse]

Part of my post was about removing and cleaning the carbs. This was done before starting bike. I'm waiting for a pilot screw tool to come in so I can set the pilot screws. Adjusted the valve last weekend and hope to synchronize cards after setting pilot screws.

[fudgie]

Part of my post was about removing and cleaning the carbs. This was done before starting bike. I'm waiting for a pilot screw tool to come in so I can set the pilot screws. Adjusted the valve last weekend and hope to synchronize cards after setting pilot screws.

Heck I could loaned ya mine if you didn't want to wait. I trust ya since you run a Hankook! 

[Crazyhorse]

Thanks Fudgie but I have a weekness when it comes to tools. I just had to have one.

[bigdog99]

Fudgie
you run a Hankook?  do you like it? i have 9100 miles on mine and dont know if i would ever go back to a bike tire

[fudgie]

Fudgie
you run a Hankook?  do you like it? i have 9100 miles on mine and dont know if i would ever go back to a bike tire

Love it!  I have around 12,000 or so on mine. Same tire to, K-106. Got mine for $70 tho local.  I hardley noticed a differance in this CT and my Metz 200mm. Well scratch that. It is better then the Metz. No more groove catching. It has been on asphalt, gravel, grass, mudd, rain, 75 mph sweepers, 5 mph curves, and has out performed the Metz.

[bigdog99]

i'd say the most impressive part is that you can actually ride much faster on the gravel with this tire too. not that i get crazy, but i dont feel any fish-tail.