ARRRGGG I hate dealers

[NighthawkVTX]

I was thinking about having my carbs done. I called a dealer and he said it would be $700 plus parts. for a total of $1200.  I didn't feel to confident with this guy, because he initially though the Valk had a V4 motor.
Later I  called another dealer about 20 miles away and he told be it would be $350 plus parts. Usually a total of $1300 for 6 carbs....

The second guy seemed to know more about the Valk, he also recommended I wait until I changed out my pipes to original before I did any rebuilding, that way everything would be jetting correctly for the new pipes.

Any thoughts or suggestions

[therapist]

Are you having problems? I would try a couple tanks with a strong concentration of SeaFoam first.
Did that with my mom's car that was acting up, ran like new afterwards.

[Hooter]

Were the carbs done before? If it's running alright I wouldn't worry about it. Guess I'd have to have a reason to do mine. If it's just a pipe change, do it, run it and check the plugs to see whats going on.

[Bigdog]

I agree SEAFOAM and more Seafoam  it will clean em out 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree SEAFOAM and more Seafoam  it will clean em out 

I haven't used seafoam but I have used techron and it works pretty good. But once I let my Standard sit for 9 or 10 months and some of the jets just wouldn't unclog. It's really not that hard of a job to do yourself. Have you done other carbs ? If so they are just like any other Constant Velocity carb. You just have 6 of them to do.  If I was to do them I would also replace the float needles. Some of the guys that know what they are doing have shown the springs are weakening. I'm a cheap bastard, $1300 is worth my time.

[MarkT]

Ive been more impressed with Berryman's B-12. Used Seafoam for years but B-12 fixed it when Seafoam didn't.

[KG]

If your having issues and are sure its the carbs then yank them out and ship them to BigBF or Bob(Atticrat )

[Jess from VA]

I have never had to have my carbs worked on.  I am a proven failure at carbs; lawnmower, 2stroke law equipment, outboards, bikes, & cars (although I once successfully bolted on a new one, and the car actually ran). I have had a full desmog and all new intake o rings (and much more), done by Big BF.

If I did call a dealer for something like this, I would not talk (for long) with the svs manager, I ask for the tech who will be assigned the job (phone or in person).  Some service managers are techs, but many are salesmen with some knowledge of mechanics.  You ask him if he's ever done Valks/Wing carbs, and some other questions to see if you trust him.  Tell him what you want (get the parts yourself before hand or as many as you think you need, and tell him that).  Then ask the price/hours (often some book assigned time period at X per hour, even if he can do it quicker).  Then if you are satisfied he can actually do it right, and can live with the price, then make an appointment (or get in line), and get it done.

If they will not let you talk to the tech, move on.  If you find someone you trust, stick with him, and tip him at least something (no matter what the official charge), though you must test ride it right from the dealer lot, staying fairly close-by, to be sure it doesn't stumble, choke, fail.  It is best to ask if they actually test rode the thing after the work.  If the answer is no, stay even closer during the test ride.

Changing pipes often changes the tune with many bikes, but if your carbs are not right, there is no good reason to wait for stock pipes before getting them cleaned.  It's not like there is a fuel map or timing to be fiddled with.  Cleaned up carbs (and all new orings, plugs, air cleaner) will run better with either pipes.

But there is no sense getting them done if you are not really having problems.  Dope it up with cleaners and go for a combat (and under 3K rpm ride) to blow it out first.    

[old2soon]

Ive been more impressed with Berryman's B-12. Used Seafoam for years but B-12 fixed it when Seafoam didn't.

           B-12 and Techron are The ONLY additives I use. I put 80000 of the 115000 miles that are on her currently. My brother-da prez-ran the digisync-shameless plug-on my Phatt Ghurl and some of my friends in the V-twinky community are amazed at the miles showing on the clock-BUT here It's just "normal".  Run a couple of tanks with a HEAVY concentration of B-12 and run a good stretch at or under 2000 R P Ms. Hard acceleration from a stop without dumping the clutch will Still pull the front wheel off the ground.  RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

I was thinking about having my carbs done. I called a dealer and he said it would be $700 plus parts. for a total of $1200. 
...
Any thoughts or suggestions

It's likely you don't need carb work.  Berryman's B-12 will probably clean them up.

If you do need carb work you're only 90 miles from Attic Rat in Tulsa.  He'll do a good deal more than just clean the carbs fro what that dealer quoted.

[G-Man]

I was thinking about having my carbs done. I called a dealer and he said it would be $700 plus parts. for a total of $1200.  I didn't feel to confident with this guy, because he initially though the Valk had a V4 motor.
Later I  called another dealer about 20 miles away and he told be it would be $350 plus parts. Usually a total of $1300 for 6 carbs....

The second guy seemed to know more about the Valk, he also recommended I wait until I changed out my pipes to original before I did any rebuilding, that way everything would be jetting correctly for the new pipes.

Any thoughts or suggestions

I think you need a third opinion.

1st guy told you $700 (parts) + $500 (labor) = $1200 (for the job)
2nd guy told you $950 (parts) + $350 (labor) + $1300 (for the job)

What parts is #2 using that #1 isn't, or is he just making $250 more on the parts. 

[Oss]

Wow

If I was lucky enough to live  within a day drive  (call it 700 miles)  I would let Attic Rat or BigBF
work on my bike.

Run the techron or b12 for a tank and see how it runs

If going to Attic Rat please let him synch the carbs after he works on them  Have heard nothing
but amazing things about him and Bill Furgeson has saved my ride numerous times

Both first rate folks

[Hook#3287]

Seriously reconsider taking your bike to a dealer. 

Listen to the experience of everyone who has posted.

$1,300.00 buys A LOT of chrome.

Removing your carbs and shipping them to an EXPERIENCED Valk mech. i.e Attic Rat, BigBF should be your first choice if you're not comfortable doing the carb work.

Riding your bike to them and getting a ride home, if you're not comfortable removing the carbs, is definitely better than a dealer.

My buddy that just bought a Valk that had been sitting, ran Berryman's thru it for a couple of tanks and it did get the bike to run better.  We pulled the carbs to install new floats and jets and a couple of the old jets holes were still gummed up.  I think if he had done a couple more tanks, they would have been good.

[Bighead]

First off you have gotten many suggestions to run something through your carbs or send them here or there and you still didn't tell us what the problem is? Or even if there is a probLem. Personally ( flame suit on here) I think waaaaaay to many people think they need carb work done when all the bike really
 Needs Is to be ridden. My '97 which I bought new has never had anything done to the carbs period no Petcock change or any other such thing and it runs as good today as it did in '97. Now since I have said this it probably won't run 100. More miles
I think too many feel the NEED to tinker with something. Ride the bike.

[wiggydotcom]

You've gotten good advice here. I concur with the Techron or Berryman's B12. I've used both along with Seafoam and think the first two are somewhat stronger.

I also concur with going to Attic Rat(Bob Smith) or BigBf if you need your carbs redone. Either will do you proud and are as honest as the day is long!

Rarely do you need to go outside this forum for advice. The sharpest mechanics are in here!

[GeoffreyB]

I was thinking about having my carbs done. I called a dealer and he said it would be $700 plus parts. for a total of $1200. 
...
Any thoughts or suggestions

It's likely you don't need carb work.  Berryman's B-12 will probably clean them up.

If you do need carb work you're only 90 miles from Attic Rat in Tulsa.  He'll do a good deal more than just clean the carbs fro what that dealer quoted.

I have a '97 that the PO had added Cobra pipes to, and drilled out the needles.  Drove from Dallas to Tulsa to have Bob (Attic Rat) do his magic to my precious.

It wasn't cheap (a little less than you've been quoted already if memory serves), but worth every penny.

I live in Houston now, and would ride it to Tulsa again if I ever need carb work again.

Since he's a joyful ride from you, why not run over and see what he thinks?  Worst case - you get a fun ride, and get to meet a hell of a nice guy.

[Hoser]

I have cleaned out my valkyrie by running a heavy dose of B12 at 2000 rpm with the choke about halfway closed, find a slow rural road and enjoy the scenery.  Took about half an hour. Hoser