Just when you thought it was safe . . . RustyValkyrie is back!!!

[RustyValkry]

My last thread was May of 2022.  At that time I was getting ready to put the RustyValkyrie back on the trusty Sears motorcycle jack -- but life has a way of changing plans. 

I ended up having to have radiation treatments in June of 2022 and the prognosis wasn't favorable so I ended up spending the summer focused on that issue and my motorcycles took a back seat, hmmmm, would that be passenger pillion when talking motorcycles?

At this point my prognosis is uncertain, I'm still trying to get back to 'normal' after the radiation (I don't do well with radiation so it's taking a while) so I'm just going to do what I can do and carry on until . . . .

Well, I had a couple quick pics of the bike on the lift in my tiny shed but I can't remember how to post them so . . . later I guess.

I want to;
put new hoses on the cooling system
install a new thermoswitch (fan)
disassemble, clean and reassemble the clutch master and slave cylinders and switch to DOT 5 fluid
diagnose the hesitation I've never been able to resolve
Do more cleaning and freshening.  A Valk with under 30K miles shouldn't look like mine does.

FYI, I haven't even started it since last spring so I guess we'll see how that goes, though I did run the fuel out of the bowls on the last run and the battery has been in the basement on a maintainer so it's good.

[RustyValkry]

Can anyone provide an opinion on whether it's necessary to pull the radiator and gas tank to change the top hose?  Is there a way to get to the clamp on the top of the block without pulling a bunch of stuff? 

Also the interconnecting hose, if I replace that is it possible to do so without removing the water pump?  I haven't decided about replacing that one yet (I already have the top and bottom hoses).  When I checked the price on the interconnecting hose I recall it was over $50 a couple years ago when I did the resurrection, I'm guessing it's more now.

[hubcapsc]

Me and Stanley Steamer got in a big mess trying to change out
his water pump not long ago. One of the things that went right
and was very easy was removing the radiator hose from the
water pump...

-Mike

[RustyValkry]

Me and Stanley Steamer got in a big mess trying to change out
his water pump not long ago. One of the things that went right
and was very easy was removing the radiator hose from the
water pump...

-Mike

I just came in from working on it.  I had to drill out the screw holding the cap on the radiator and I had to put penetrating oil on the plug and heat it to break it loose so I could drain the system. 

The bottom hose on mine has one of those chrome dress up covers on the hose.  Not sure how that's going to go.  If it weren't for that I expect, as you mentioned, it would be easy to get the bottom hose removed and replaced but we'll see.

Next challenge will be getting the thermoswitch out of the radiator.  Not sure if the chrome dress-up cover on the side tank will make accessing the flats on the switch difficult or not.

[hubcapsc]

I had dress up covers on my radiator hoses when I got my bike...
they were real tired. I don't remember a whole lot about
taking the old ones off (15 years ago) but I do remember
thinking that it felt like I could rip the plastic radiator
apart if I was careless when trying to pull the hose off
of it. I replaced all the hoses that had dress up covers
with new hoses at that time.

-Mike

[Avanti]

If you are replacing the hoses, cut them off.
Do not destroy what is not available.
I believe all hoses are.

[RustyValkry]

This evening I got the thermo switch changed.  I won't know if that fixes the fan until I get it running.  When I put it back on the road a couple years ago I installed a switch on the left handlebar to manually engage the fan so I know the fan is fine.  My concern is that there might be a wiring problem which I would have bypassed when I added the switch.

Tomorrow I'll pull the clutch master and slave cylinders to start that process and I'll pull the hoses off.  I believe I can change out the top hose without pulling everything the manual says has to be removed, time will tell.

With any luck I could get the bike ready to start in a couple days.

[..]

Good luck with the fight!

If I can do this................

https://postimages.org/

Create an account using the SIGN UP box top right.

Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do a max of up to 15 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

[RustyValkry]

I managed to get the top and bottom hoses changed.  Glad I don't have to do that often.  Everything is in the way of everything else so you have to disassemble everything to get to anything or you'll get nothing done.

I them decided to pull the clutch slave cylinder, LOL, not so fast.  I got the bolts out of the slave cylinder but there isn't enough clearance to get it out due to the kickstand mount.  I thought maybe I could remove the inner mount bolt and loosen the outer and rotate the mount enough to make room to get the slave cylinder out but no, the bolts go in from the top and both hit the frame.  Gotta love it.  Tomorrow I'll see if I can relocate the jack back far enough to drop the kickstand assembly out.  Why do I think I'll have to disassemble something else first.   

[hubcapsc]

I had to rebuild mine...



I replaced the old horns in my quad-horn set with some new
ones from NAPA, installed a MarkT lift adapter and did the
rebuild all around the same time. I have a chock that helped
a lot, especially with removing the kickstand...



-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's even more fun with a center stand. You'll get it. 

[RustyValkry]

I had to rebuild mine...



I replaced the old horns in my quad-horn set with some new
ones from NAPA, installed a MarkT lift adapter and did the
rebuild all around the same time. I have a chock that helped
a lot, especially with removing the kickstand...



-Mike

Yep, that's what I'm looking at minus those neat horns.

I neglected to mention it, when I broke the slave cylinder loose I could see that it's very crusty around the inside of the mount.  Looks like the cylinder might have been leaking but I won't know for sure till I get it out.

BTW, I also have one of those lift adapters, they work well .

[RustyValkry]

It's even more fun with a center stand. You'll get it. 

I'll bet. 

In spite of the issues I'm having fun, nice to crawl around on the floor after a long winter.

[RustyValkry]

Good luck with the fight!

If I can do this................

https://postimages.org/

Create an account using the SIGN UP box top right.

Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do a max of up to 15 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

I recollect this now, thanks.  At first I thought this was the forum where I could attach photos directly through the thread but that was another forum.

I'll try to log back into Postimages and add some pics because threads are always more fun with pictures.

[RustyValkry]

Here's where all the silliness happens, 8x12' shed.

[RustyValkry]

Here's a good shot of the underside.  As of when I quit for the day, the slave cylinder and the bolts holding the kickstand to the frame were loose.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll get things situated to allow me to get the cylinder out.

[RustyValkry]

Yesterday I managed to reposition the bike on the jack so I could drop the kickstand frame to get the slave cylinder out.  That leaves removing the line from the master cylinder.  Hopefully that won't be too much of a hassle.

I also got the master cylinder off.  Gonna drop it in my ultra-sound cleaner as soon as I find my snap ring pliers to remove piston.  Thatight take longer than the rest of the job since I have no idea where I put either of them, gotta love it.

I've also got my '81 FLT on a jack to reseal a leaking pushrod tube.  Old bike are always fun . . . I guess. 

[RustyValkry]

Today I got the master apart and the slave removed.  Here's what I found.

I ordered some soft parts from Ron Ayers.

Next I'll start cleaning.

[RustyValkry]

I ordered  a pushrod seal for the clutch cover not knowing if I can replace it with the clutch cover in place, can anyone answer that question?

[RustyValkry]

Just so you don't think I'm being lazy and not doing much, here's the other bike I'm working on.  It needed a new pushrod tube o-ring at the top of the rear cylinder intake pushrod. 

I've enjoyed swearing at both bikes for the last few days.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I ordered  a pushrod seal for the clutch cover not knowing if I can replace it with the clutch cover in place, can anyone answer that question?

You have to remove the cover. But, it's not that bad. I had a new gasket, but could have got away without a new one.

That's the most corroded slave cylinder I've ever seen.  Makes me feel better about how dirty mine was.

How come you are posting in the 1800 section ?

[Avanti]

You do not have to remove the cover!

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,117808.msg1193362.html#msg1193362

[RustyValkry]

I ordered  a pushrod seal for the clutch cover not knowing if I can replace it with the clutch cover in place, can anyone answer that question?

You have to remove the cover. But, it's not that bad. I had a new gasket, but could have got away without a new one.

That's the most corroded slave cylinder I've ever seen.  Makes me feel better about how dirty mine was.

How come you are posting in the 1800 section ?

Why am I posting in the 1800 section???  Uh  . . . cause I'm a dumb ass?  Been a while since I posted and I guess I've lost too many brain cells along the way.

Any way to get this thread to the right place?

[RustyValkry]

You do not have to remove the cover!

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,117808.msg1193362.html#msg1193362

Thanks.  I read that thread.  I ordered the clutch cover seal along with the other parts I need.  I assumed it would be replaceable from the outside and since it was only $3 I figured what the heck.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I ordered  a pushrod seal for the clutch cover not knowing if I can replace it with the clutch cover in place, can anyone answer that question?

You have to remove the cover. But, it's not that bad. I had a new gasket, but could have got away without a new one.

That's the most corroded slave cylinder I've ever seen.  Makes me feel better about how dirty mine was.

How come you are posting in the 1800 section ?

Why am I posting in the 1800 section???  Uh  . . . cause I'm a dumb ass?  Been a while since I posted and I guess I've lost too many brain cells along the way.

Any way to get this thread to the right place?

Evidently I'm the bigger dumbass. I didn't realize the seal could be removed from outside the case. 

I think only the moderators can move it.

[RustyValkry]

Well I see nobody disagreed that we're a couple of dumbasses.

[baldo]

Well I see nobody disagreed that we're a couple of dumbasses.

lolol

Well, I can attest to one of you.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well I see nobody disagreed that we're a couple of dumbasses.

lolol

Well, I can attest to one of you.

Hey ! I resemble that remark.