Carb project

[Al in Arkansas]

After cleaning my K&N air filter, changing a choke cable and changing my oil I developed a bad miss on #1.  After minor diagnostics I've determined that it's not vacuum or fire.  From what I've read here and learned from a local Honda tech it seems it's pretty much time to tear into the carbs.
We have a two week trip (that was supposed to have been on the bike...) before I can tear into it.  I would appreciate any advice on a good source for all the parts I will need. From everything I've read I intend to replace jets and not try to clean them. I found redeye tech in one of the threads, but not sure I'm finding a complete kit from them.  Suggestions? All advice welcome! I would love to get everything ordered so that I'm not waiting on parts when I get back.

Thanks for your help!
Al

[fordmano]

Red EYE, is just the rubber stuff (O-Rings and they offer Bowl gaskets and vacuum caps) and the de-smog kits basically.

Nobody sells a rebuild kit that includes ALL the rubber parts and jets and needles and diaphrams.

For the Jets, others have had good luck with a couple companies ( can't remember the names).
I had good luck with price and fast delivery from www.rockymountainatv.com

I got all the rubber stuff from Red EYE and also used one of his regular de-smog kits.

[Fudd]

Hey Al

It may be worth a shot to try some Techron in it to maybe unclog your slow jets.

I put a half a bottle in a tank, ran the bike on a back road 20 mph in 5th gear with the choke on for about 3 miles.   Some people say use a whole bottle but, the trick worked wonders on my miss with a half bottle.

Beats tearing into the carbs if you don't to. 

[Al in Arkansas]

Thank Fudd.  i did try a strong dose of Seafoam to no avail.  This bike has never run quite right at high rpms and I've thought for the last 40k that she probably spent too much time sitting before I got her.  I'm going to take this opportunity to make sure they're cleaned up good.  Hopefully I'm not biting off too much.  Local dealer wanted 600 labor + parts to do the carbs.  I would rather tackle it myself than pay that.
I suspect I'll be posting more questions here when I start this project.  I've ordered the new jets and rubber parts from Redeye.  Not sure that I need any more parts.  Hope I don't find myself having to wait on parts after I start.
Thanks - Al

[hotrodjohn]

When I got my Valk, it would idle perfect but miss under load.  The high jet was totally clogged which is unusual.   I was amazed how good it ran on 5 cylinders but I could detect the miss.  A Valkyrie in 5th gear will pull smoothly from 1000 rpm, if your missing a cylinder it wont.  I tried Techron then seafoam and it wouldnt clear.  Took the carbs off and immediately saw the issue.  The Valkyrie really isnt that difficult on carb removal. I had to remove the radiator hose to pull the carb rack out of the left side.  I used wire tires to hold the airbox tubes together when I put it back in.  I didnt touch any adjustments.  I just took the bowls off and removed and cleaned the jets and put them back in.  Also, check the needles for varnish.  Put it back together and ran perfect, didnt even need to by synced.  Of all the carbs Ive done over the years, this is pretty easy.

[Red Diamond]

I had to remove the radiator hose to pull the carb rack out of the left side.

I only question why would you have to remove the radiator hose?

[hotrodjohn]

Red Diamond.... I couldnt get the rack back far enough to get around the hose as I recall.  I think I took a coil of the left side too.  And i had to take out that plastic shield behind the fan.  Its pretty tight with that air recirc stuff.  Is there an easier way?  I didnt see it but I was doing it without a manual or anything.

[fordmano]

You can pull the rear engine hanger or if your hands are nimble you can pull the choke cable and then the 4 nuts holding the cross bar on the carb rack then put the nuts back on so the CARBS don't twist too much and come apart while shifting the entire rack out.

I am sure others will have more descriptive ideas with much more detail than I.