Mechanic in Cincy area?

[Mike M in ohio]

   I've been sprucing up my new-to-me 98 standard. Did all I'm comfortable doing. Changed motor oil, gear oil, radiator fluid, lubed cables, new battery and general wrenching, waxing and polishing aluminum. Biggest problem is uneven idle and rev-lag when shifting. (Revs linger at high rpm and come down slowly between shifts) I lubed cables and springs and rails and throttle is crisply closing, so  I suspect vacuum leak. I tightened all the bands and bolts related, and checked the rubber caps on nipples. The right side needed considerable tightening, but no improvement. Called local dealer who said carbs will need cleaning and rebuilding. For that, plus air filter and plugs, he"s quoting $650  - $700. I feel this is high and wonder if anyone knows of a private mechanic or more reasonable dealer within an hour of Cincinatti.  Just wondering. And am I being too cheap for my new fat gal?
    Thanks much. Mike in Ohio. (Formerly Mike in N.Y.)

[The emperor has no clothes]

   I've been sprucing up my new-to-me 98 standard. Did all I'm comfortable doing. Changed motor oil, gear oil, radiator fluid, lubed cables, new battery and general wrenching, waxing and polishing aluminum. Biggest problem is uneven idle and rev-lag when shifting. (Revs linger at high rpm and come down slowly between shifts) I lubed cables and springs and rails and throttle is crisply closing, so  I suspect vacuum leak. I tightened all the bands and bolts related, and checked the rubber caps on nipples. The right side needed considerable tightening, but no improvement. Called local dealer who said carbs will need cleaning and rebuilding. For that, plus air filter and plugs, he"s quoting $650  - $700. I feel this is high and wonder if anyone knows of a private mechanic or more reasonable dealer within an hour of Cincinatti.  Just wondering. And am I being too cheap for my new fat gal?
    Thanks much. Mike in Ohio. (Formerly Mike in N.Y.)

I can't help with a nearby mechanic, but I doubt carb cleaning will improve your symptoms. Has the bike been desmoged ? If not, there will be a few vacuum hoses that need to be checked. I think replacing the caps on the intakes, replacing the intake o-rings would be where I'd start.

[da prez]

  Mike , welcome to the insanity. There is a member near you that knows what to do, There is not a dealer A N Y  W H E R E  near you that knows what to do, Dealers will not do a proper rebuild for $700.00 greenbacks. Atticrat has rebuilt more carbs than anyone. There are other members who do rebuilds.  A call out will get you help. Wait for a response.

                                   da prez

[old2soon]

       Check the Ohio board. I agree on vacuum leaks. I desmogged my own. If you have/had brown stains by these tubes in the valleys of the intake manifold the O rings need replaced. There are 3 clamps per carb. Check and see if any of the carb boots are torn or have a hole in them. Should you git brave once you git the tank off and then the air box off all the vacuum crappola is right there. There are step by step procedures in the tech pages and shop talk for desmog. Tank should be Very low on fuel for removal. There are also written procedures here for tank removal. Also LOTSA help from folks here on this board that have already been there done that got the T shirt.  As my Brother daprez stated=welcome to the insanity and our sandbox.  RIDE SAFE.

[h13man]

Finding a Honda dealer or shop who knows old tech bikes, goodluck. Might inquire on a GW forum for one as they are a plenty compared to the Valk. These bikes are relatively easy to work on. Get yourself a OEM manual and have at it. I find it very gratifying and less $$$ to do my own work. Here's a guide to help you along the way. Some of the info is no longer available but some us may have copied to our own offline files.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

[Fazer]

Mike--I am in Cinci area and would be happy to help as much as I can.  I de-smogged my bike and have a Digi sync.  I can help you get the tank off and the air box to check the boots, but I am not capable of disassembly of the carb bank for cleaning.  As others have said, Attic Rat will do your carbs if you take the bank out and ship to him.  Of course, this is peak riding season so you probably don't want to be without your bike.

PM me if I can help.

Greg

[Mike M in ohio]

Greg, would like to take you up on your offer. I do have a second rig, F6B, so if the  all ends up off the road for a while, no big deal. Give me a call 513 212 9181 and we'll see if we can work something out around your schedule. (Bike not desmogged by the way) Mike

[henry 008]

there is a great Valkyrie/Goldwing mechanic in La Grange Ohio, much closer  to NY than Cinci. Kevin at Accurate cycle. let me know if interested and i'll PM you his #.

[old2soon]

Greg, would like to take you up on your offer. I do have a second rig, F6B, so if the  all ends up off the road for a while, no big deal. Give me a call 513 212 9181 and we'll see if we can work something out around your schedule. (Bike not desmogged by the way) Mike

You can either assemble your own desmog stuff or as I understand it Red Eye has a complete kit for sale. I made up my own with freeze plugs and then acorn nuts on the readily seen parts of the top of the engine. Minr was poppin and fartin before desmog. Most if not All the vacuum hoses were toast. RIDE SAFE.

[mello dude]

 

      Check the Ohio board. .   As my Brother daprez stated=welcome to the insanity and our sandbox.   RIDE SAFE.

The Red Eye desmog kit is a good way to go.....

- Wait, there's an Ohio Board?

mello dude in Dayton...  

[old2soon]

      Check the Ohio board. .   As my Brother daprez stated=welcome to the insanity and our sandbox.   RIDE SAFE.

The Red Eye desmog kit is a good way to go.....

- Wait, there's an Ohio Board?

mello dude in Dayton...  

           Truthfully I did Not look. Kinda thought maybe there is an Ohio board.  And I Still haven't looked!  Yeah-I duz KNOW what transpires when one assumes.  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

      Check the Ohio board. .   As my Brother daprez stated=welcome to the insanity and our sandbox.   RIDE SAFE.

The Red Eye desmog kit is a good way to go.....

- Wait, there's an Ohio Board?

mello dude in Dayton...  

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/vrcc_oh.cgi

[gordonv]

 Mike , welcome to the insanity. There is a member near you that knows what to do, There is not a dealer A N Y  W H E R E  near you that knows what to do, Dealers will not do a proper rebuild for $700.00 greenbacks. Atticrat has rebuilt more carbs than anyone. There are other members who do rebuilds.  A call out will get you help. Wait for a response.

As for the $700, if you read enough, I think you'll find others paying from $1K - $1500, and still not working right.

I always recommend the easy stuff first, fresh fuel with heavy doses of carb cleaner (not Seafoam, but Techron or B-12) and go out and enjoy riding it.

I like a paper manual, which I have, but the PDF is for travel. DL from here.
http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

Do the work yourself. Especially since you have another bike to enjoy, and the offer of help.

I know your handle shows Ohio, but you can also add your location in your profile.