HELP

[GLCYellow]

Have Valk with starter problems in Citrus County. Love's can't look at for a month. Need a good service referral. Thanks

[John Schmidt]

Can you be a little more specific? Sounds it makes, does it engage but not turn the motor over, what happens(or not happens) when you hit the start button. Or...did you hit the start button and it engaged then hit a wall with a clunk. That would indicate possible hydro-lock and if so hopefully you didn't keep pressing the starter. More info is needed.

[GLCYellow]

It started by making a grinding noise,but would turn over to start. Went out today to take to Love's and it is locked up. Thanks for any help! AL

[Steel cowboy]

Try removing all the spark plugs out and try turning the motor over. Move the spark plug wires out of the way. Let's go with this procedure first

[OLDFRT]

If you can't find anyone else, try Trikes By Design in Inverness They convert 2-wheelers to Trikes, but may be able to help sooner than Love Motorsports. There is also Woodbutcher in Perry. Not sure if he is on FB anymore, but he is on MeWe. The group name is Southern Valkyrie Riders.  Steel Cowboy has the BEST first action......

[GLCYellow]

Will  remove plugs either tonight or tomorrow. After that what method would you use to turn engine over?
Thanks

[Wood Butcher]

Not sure how to comment here, hope this the right way?
I can help you if you need, I live in Perry, Florida but my parents live in Citrus County off 488.
I come down every couple weeks to visit so if you don't get it figured out give me a shout on Mewe.
Southern Valkyrie Riders group. I'm no longer on Facebook

[GLCYellow]

Wood Butcher and all that have helped; I'll be removing plugs tomorrow (Tuesday) will keep all posted. Thanks very much for the HELP!!! PS I am off of 491 in Beverly Hills

[Wood Butcher]

If you have any mechanical ability I would try what the fella above said about pulling the plugs and turning it over. Once you get the gas out of the cylinders disconnect the battery and pull the starter back out of the hole. Use your phone camera on video with the flash on to look in the hole. Remove the timing cover center piece and use a socket to turn the motor over a little while your videoing in the hole. See if the gear is missing any teeth in there. You will still need your carbs rebuilt along with a new petcock to keep it from happening again even if no damage has been done. If the gear is missing any teeth you will need the motor removed to fix it. $18 part and 2 gaskets but the motor has to come out to change it.

[John Schmidt]

Remember...when turning the motor over by hand, looking at it from the front you turn it CCW. What you described sounds like hydro-lock and with the grinding noise....ugh! Possiblly the rear cover would need to be replaced as well, depending on how long you tried hitting the starter.

[GLCYellow]

If you have any mechanical ability I would try what the fella above said about pulling the plugs and turning it over. Once you get the gas out of the cylinders disconnect the battery and pull the starter back out of the hole. Use your phone camera on video with the flash on to look in the hole. Remove the timing cover center piece and use a socket to turn the motor over a little while your videoing in the hole. See if the gear is missing any teeth in there. You will still need your carbs rebuilt along with a new petcock to keep it from happening again even if no damage has been done. If the gear is missing any teeth you will need the motor removed to fix it. $18 part and 2 gaskets but the motor has to come out to change it.

Good morning and thanks for the help again. I removed all spark plugs this morning and the inspection cover on the timing belt cover. Tried to turn over engine by hand (17mm socket and long handle 1/2 ratchet) and engine did not move. Next removed starter and everything that was in the way!! I looked thru starter hole from the rear, and saw what looks to be an idler gear at about ten o'clock. The case around that gear is broke. I again tried to turn engine over by hand, it did move freely, with a good amount of fuel spilling out from the left bank. I open to all suggestions. Thanks AL

[John Schmidt]

Yup...hydro-lock. You apparently kept hitting the start button when it didn't turn over the first time or two. Involves pulling the motor, the case is broken so you'll need to replace that. I'm certain you'll find broken teeth on either the idler or the connecting gear...or both. Sorry but once you hit the starter and it moves then stops short with a mechanical clunk, put the key in your pocket, then pull all the plugs and turn over by hand. You would have seen fuel shoot out of one or more cylinders. Sorry I can't help you out since I moved out of Fla. but having spent over half my life there I know this is the best riding time of the year. Good luck! 

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

sending private message

[Steel cowboy]

How much you love your bike. Your description is suggesting a tear down and replacing gears.

[GLCYellow]

How much you love your bike. Your description is suggesting a tear down and replacing gears.

Yes! That seems to be what is in my future. Don't know about gears yet, but a rear engine case is a must. Still looking for someone to tackle job. Thanks