Carb R and R

[buffalobill]

Any idea of the time required to remove the carb banks, strip, clean and rebuild same. I am looking into having mine done, as the primarys seem to be plugged or at least gummed up. My rpm is low at idle, seems to sound like it is starving for fuel. I only put about 100 miles on her, running good gas and some good carb cleaner. Helped a ton, but want to have the carbs cleaned and synched. Any idea of what to expect for time and approximately what it should cost. I do not have the time or patience right now to do it myself. I know a good Honda mechanic who works on the side. Just researching, any help appreciated.
Ride safe,buffalobill

[ataDude #62]

You might want to try this first.  It worked for me just fine.

A way to clean without removing the carb platform... one at a time. 

1. Drain the carb by opening the drain screw (regular flat-blade screwdriver) which faces outward under the float bowl.

2. Remove the lower chrome runner (from carb to head).  Loosen the lower screw clamp (Phillips screwdriver) on the rubber and remove the two bolts (8mm socket) which hold the chrome runner to the head.

3. Remove the upper chrome cover, bellows,slide and needle (three Phillips-head screws).

4. Find a socket which has a 1 5/16" OD.  Cut off a corner of a sandwich bag to cover the socket... sealing it around and over the top.

5. Insert the covered socket (with the sandwich bag corner on top) into the rubber housing on the carb and tighten the screw clamp.

6. Use a syringe or turkey baster to fill the carb with carb cleaner.  I used the gallon can of stuff you can buy at any auto supply store. 

7. As the carb cleaner penetrates the jets and the float bowl, refill as needed to keep the cleaner level over the jet. 

8. Once full, let the carb sit for an hour or so, soaking.  You can move on to another if you have enough 1 5/16" OD sockets.

9. Drain the carb cleaner and reassemble.  Good to go... just like new!

As a side note, I did mine while on a jack with the bike sitting straight up.

[HayHauler]

I suppose the carb cleaner didn't eat the sandwich bag?  I am surprised.  Don't get that stuff near a styrofoam cup!!  hehe

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Pete]

I do my own and I plan a day (8 hours). This not a job that I get in a hurry on.
It does not take that long but I usually end up doing other things (cleaning, waxing chrome etc).
A good mechanic should be able to accomplish the job in 4 hours or less.

Generally it takes me about 1 hour to remove the carbs and 1.5 hours to reinstall being careful. About 15 to 30 minutes per carb depending on how dirty it is. Unless I have to soak the jets.

[98valk]

Any idea of the time required to remove the carb banks, strip, clean and rebuild same. I am looking into having mine done, as the primarys seem to be plugged or at least gummed up. My rpm is low at idle, seems to sound like it is starving for fuel. I only put about 100 miles on her, running good gas and some good carb cleaner. Helped a ton, but want to have the carbs cleaned and synched. Any idea of what to expect for time and approximately what it should cost. I do not have the time or patience right now to do it myself. I know a good Honda mechanic who works on the side. Just researching, any help appreciated.
Ride safe,buffalobill

first check the vacuum diaphragm in the petcock, most likely worn and causing the starving for fuel. I did have the same issues. Mine went bad at about 15k. look at the center with an eyepiece, this is where is wears. it is a rubber coated material.
use a snubber in the vaccuum line, to greatly reduce wear.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,3408.0.html
this is all mute if u have a pingle.

also look into replacing the manifold O-Rings with Viton material http://redeye.ecrater.com/

[ataDude #62]

I suppose the carb cleaner didn't eat the sandwich bag?  I am surprised.  Don't get that stuff near a styrofoam cup!!  hehe

Hay 
Jimmyt

I was originally a little concerned about that but, no... all survived to be tossed in the trash. 

.