VAlkyrie Mechanic

[Rusty Hook]

 Does anyone know of a good Valkyrie mechanic here in Houston ? My bike has developed a loud whinning noise @ between 45 - 50 mph. I can pull the clutch in and the noise stops . Sounds like a bearing whinn. But I don't know where to start to look .

[cutter]

The only thing I have let a shop do was an alternator and fork rebuild, otherwise I do my own work. Wild West Honda did the first alternator rebuild under warrenty. Honda of Houston did the second rebuild of the alternator and fork rebuilt. I took both items off the bike and dropped off to have done when I went out of town. They did a good job but still like to do my own. As for your whine issue, could be as simple as pulling the slave assembly and greasing up the piston to a bearing or something else.

[Rocketman]

What part of Houston are you in?  Early Bird has a good one at ~ the southwest corner of Bltwy 8.

[Rusty Hook]

 I forgot to mention that I'm on the NW side of Houston near Katy .

[roboto65]

At that speed your Valk is going to whine she has straight cut gears and they tend to make some noise about that speed. How many miles on her and what oil do you run? Is this your first Valk?

Sorry for all the questions but lots of little noises on a Valk that are normal and you get used to them..

[Red Diamond]

At that speed your Valk is going to whine she has straight cut gears and they tend to make some noise about that speed. How many miles on her and what oil do you run? Is this your first Valk?

Sorry for all the questions but lots of little noises on a Valk that are normal and you get used to them..

I agree with Roboto65, My Tourer whined between 45-55MPH until I changed to the oil I have always used in the Interstate. Now it smooth through all ranges.

[bassman]

M'be this will shed some light....compliments of Rattlebars....lotsa gud stuff here and other areas of his site....

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/

Scroll down the page to NOISE or click on NOISE in the middle of the page index.....

[Rusty Hook]

 I have about 9600 miles on the bike. I recently changed oil to Rotella T 10w30 . The noise that I'm hearing now is louder than the gear noise that I used to hear. And this is my first Valk and I love it. My other bike is H-D Ultra Classic Screamin Eagle . There is no comparison between bkes, I love both of them equally.

[Houdini]

You probably drained out thicker oil and replaced it with thinner.  Oil weight makes a huge difference on how much gear noise you hear and how smoothly the bike shifts.  Drain the oil and add a heavier weight; the cost is minimal and worth the difference, IMHO.

[john]

20-50 synthetic ...
and ear plugs ...
9600 miles ...   
enjoy the valkyrie ...
a genuine peice of work ... 

[RainMaker]

I have been running the 5w-40 Rotella but reading all this, I may switch back to 20-50w like I used to run in my '81 Gold Wing.  (Of course, that was when Gold Wings were still motorcycles).  Need to change it before the ride Saturday anyway.

The Screaming Eagle is the one HD that can stay with a Valkyrie, even 2-up.  At least to 110mph it can. 

[Gear Jammer]

This is my first Valk.  When I bought it from the dealer, I don't konw what oil it had in it, but the engine sounded like it had a coffee can with marbles bouncing around inside.         I changed oil to Mobil 1 15W-50, and now it purrrrssss like the engine it was meant to be   

[Hollywood]

we run the heavier weight oil as well, it doesn't break down as fast. The only HD that keeps up with us is the V rod! Look for us at Kennedale soon, have new hi performance clutch! now she's a 4 second dragon!          

[Rusty Hook]

 I took several of ya'lls advice and changed oil this afternoon to 20w-50 oil. It made all the difference in the world. No more whinning in the transmission . I am very relieved. All that I could think about these last couple of weeks is having to put my Valkyrie in the shop and spending $$$$$$$$.

Thanks All !!!

[Gear Jammer]

Come winter time, you may want to consider going to a lower viscosity rating like 10w or 15w-50.  I ride in the cold, and 15-50 has worked OK.  I'm sure to let it warm up at idle before heading out on the road.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I've ran mobil1 syn 15w50 automotive oil in both my valks since day one.  My I/S just rolled 117K today. It an't cheap oil  but she's worth it. I'm on the northeast side near Humble some the temperature isn't any different from where you are Rusty.

[Hoser]

"The Screaming Eagle is the one HD that can stay with a Valkyrie, even 2-up.  At least to 110mph it can"

The 103 inch SE?  It won't keep up with mine, but I have'nt had a chance to run a 110 inch SE yet. Was it the Valk that was 2 up?    Hoser

[bigguy]

Does anyone know of a good Valkyrie mechanic here in Houston ? My bike has developed a loud whinning noise @ between 45 - 50 mph. I can pull the clutch in and the noise stops . Sounds like a bearing whinn. But I don't know where to start to look .

Ha! I've been lurking and listening to my F-6 riding friends while waiting to find my Valk. This weekend was the first long ride on it and I got introduced to the famous (infamous) Valkyrie transmission whine. You can really hear it when pressure stretches your eardrums until the lower frequencies drop out leaving only the higher pitched one as you climb a mountain. Glad I already knew about it, or I'd have been worried. Charles had already taken mine for a test drive before I bought it, so I'm confident that the noise it makes is normal.

[john]

the valkyrie loves fresh oil ...   
everything get alot quieter behind the windsheild after an oil change ...   
enjoy your ride ... 
"All that I could think about these last couple of weeks is having to put my Valkyrie in the shop and spending $$$$$$$$."     .....     
scary to think about ... resist the urge