Holy Smokes - My smoking valkyrie interstate

[mooserocky]

hello from san jose.... i am a new member here and a fairly new valk owner.  first to all of you guys that post thank you for all of the great ideas and tips.

here is my dillema... bought the bike with 32k on it.  it has 33k now.  at 32k the 35k mile service was performed by the dealer, jets plugs etc....  when i bought the bike it was all stock.  since then i have made only aesthetic mods.  the only "performance" mod was that i cut the three piggies off.  now i notice that the bike is smoking terribly.  is this a result of the piggies being cut? or am. i in for mor trouble with the fuel system here?  your thought and suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks eric.

[olddog1946]

I doubt seriously that cut piggies would have an affect on the bike, other than sound...what kind of smoke is it putting out??? Black = running rich, blue = oil burning, white = anti freeze...
does it quit after running a bit?  (valve seals )...we need more info...

[Ricky-D]

First thing is to check for oil in the motor!

Then insure it is not over-filled!

***

[Six Guns]

35k mile service was performed by the dealer

I would check everything that the dealer touched on your valkyrie. +1 with what Ricky-D said. Check your oil and make sure it's not overfilled or you have enough oil in your motor. Trust but verify.

[tank_post142]

remember: check oil with dipstick dropped in NOT screwed in and bike upright NOT on sidestand.

[R J]

I'd say some punk kid learning the trade changed the oil and put in too much.

Most of the stealer's have their engine oil in bulk tanks, and you dial into the system the amount to dispense.    If ya screw up, then ya either get too much oil, or not enough.    Sounds like yours is an overfill........

Check the oil, with the bike in the upright position with the dipstick just dropped in the hole, pull the dipstick out and take a reading.  If too much, put a clean pan under the bike, loosen the drain plug so that ya get a steady drip.  keep checking the oil on the dipstick, when it get to the full mark, shut the drain plug, and if ya need to add some to it, get  funnel, put a pair of your wifes panty hose over it for a strainer and add the oil needed very slowly.   Ya get close to the mark, shut the system up,   Go ride the bike for about 50 mile and see if it doesn't stop kicking smoke out the rear.   If it doesn't stop, you will have internal problems to be taken care of.....

[GOOSE]

mooserocky....one thing is for sure....if it didn't smoke before you took it to the dealer, and it smoked after you left the dealer, then what ever the dealer did has caused the problem.  cutting off the three piggies WOULD NOT cause this problem.  a long time ago i had the problem ricky-d described, and too much oil put in by a dealer....bike smoked.  after taking excess oil out.....then rode bike 40-50 miles....smoking stopped.  good luck.

[mooserocky]

well guys, got home from work and checked the oil.  it is overfilled.  i will take your suggestions and drain a bit of it to get it to level, and then run it for 30-40 miles.  thanks for the suggestions,  i couldnt imagine the piggies would cause excess smoke, but one never knows.  i am a wannabe backyard wrencher, who knows just enough about this stuff to make a complete mess of it.... your ideas are much appreciated.   

finally if any of you fellow valkites have or want a new chevrolet, i run a chevy store here in San Jose.   to all valkyrie rider club members all new chevys are available at $100 above my net cost, which is about $1000 below invoice on average.   

thanks again for the help.

by the way, any local bay are valk riders out there?  if so lets get a group started....

mooserocky.

[tank_post142]

moose: chances are they filled it and checked it with the bike on the sidestand. this will add approx .75 Qts. overfilled as opposed to checking it with the bike upright

[fordmano]

hello from San Jose.... i am a new member here and a fairly new valk owner.  first to all of you guys that post thank you for all of the great ideas and tips.

here is my dillema... bought the bike with 32k on it.  it has 33k now.  at 32k the 35k mile service was performed by the dealer, jets plugs etc....  when i bought the bike it was all stock.  since then i have made only aesthetic mods.  the only "performance" mod was that i cut the three piggies off.  now i notice that the bike is smoking terribly.  is this a result of the piggies being cut? or am. i in for mor trouble with the fuel system here?  your thought and suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks eric.

If you have Valkyrie problems feel free to contact me, I have NO idea what I am doing around a Valkyrie (it sure seems that way lately) but I would be more than willing to stand there and look at it with you. I also live in San Jose, I assume (I know how dangerous that is) this is San Jose California, if so you cant be more than 15 minutes from my place.

Glad to see you found that the oil was probably the bigest part of the problem.

When my projects are done lets catch some wind together if you can find the time.

[fordmano]

So just because I am curious, what dealer did you take it to?

Was it the one over in Cambell or out in Santa Clara sunnyvale area? As a future reference do yourself a favor and Contact Fred out at Hollister Honda and tell him "fordman" from SBR suggested you see him. it will be worth the extra drive time.

[fordmano]

Disregard the question of you being in San Jose, CA. I thought I remembered your name so I went and checked my messages and found the one you sent me a while back and was able to answer my own question yep your in my neighborhood (sort of). let me know if you need anything.

[MP]

Make sure you contact the dealer, and let them know about the overfill problem.  I would guess they had a kid do it, and they want to get it right next time.
If you do not tell them, they will never know.

MP

[olddog1946]

Well now, it appears to be a simple fix and another prime example of paying someone else or one of those "experts" at a dealer to screw up your bike..You can do it yourself, know it was done right and have some peace of mind...and fordmano knows where all the extra nuts and bolts go if you need help..

[fordmano]

Well now, it appears to be a simple fix and another prime example of paying someone else or one of those "experts" at a dealer to screw up your bike..You can do it yourself, know it was done right and have some peace of mind...and fordmano knows where all the extra nuts and bolts go if you need help..

Not so sure I know where they go but I am sure I have seen them lately.

[scoot]

Well now, it appears to be a simple fix and another prime example of paying someone else or one of those "experts" at a dealer to screw up your bike..You can do it yourself, know it was done right and have some peace of mind...and fordmano knows where all the extra nuts and bolts go if you need help..

Not so sure I know where they go but I am sure I have seen them lately.

Oh,Oh....I've the answer......In the tin can on the bench. You never know when ya gonna need one.

[Chiefy]

Well now, it appears to be a simple fix and another prime example of paying someone else or one of those "experts" at a dealer to screw up your bike..You can do it yourself, know it was done right and have some peace of mind...and fordmano knows where all the extra nuts and bolts go if you need help..

Not so sure I know where they go but I am sure I have seen them lately.

Oh,Oh....I've the answer......In the tin can on the bench. You never know when ya gonna need one.

Oh man, and I've been pouring them down the carbs.

[mooserocky]

Hey Fordmano, when your nuts and bolts find their home, and youre free hit me up and lets get a ride going.  my time is generally tight, but I can always make time for a quick spin.  and yes we cant be more than 15 minutes from eachother, I am in Los Gatos.

The service to my bike was done in Los Angeles, by the Honda Dealership that the seller serviced the bike at.  GP sports, was a complete waste of my time, when I brought it to them for a safety inspection.  They hit me with an estimate for $1950 for about $300 worth of work.  Hollister is too far for me, to drop off.  I was introduced to a shop on monterey hwy, in san jose, when I need service next I thought Iwould bring it to them.  if you know of any reliable and reputable guys locally, let me know.  thanks.