A few Newbi Questions

[Chiefy]

Evening,
   Just brought home a 98 Valk this afternoon. It does not have an owner's manual.  I feel really stupid asking this, but I don't want to ruin the bike, so be gentle with me........

Checking the oil........ I seem to have an aftermarket dipstick.  It has an oil temp thermometer on it.  At the base, where the dipstick touches oil, is an area perhaps a half inch tall that is noticeably darker then the rest of the dipstick.  A ways up from there, is a line.  With the bike on the side stand, the oil is exactly at the top of the dark area.  If I sit on the bike and hold it up straight, the oil is precisely at the higher line.  I *ASSUME* the darker area is meant for when the bike is on the stand, and the higher line is for when it's standing up (??)  If so, there is no second line to gauge how low you are.  If you can't picture what I'm saying, I'll take a photo of it tomorrow.

Also........ When cruising, all is well.  When I pull to a stop, like a red light or in my driveway,  I hear a bit of a "clatter" coming from the front.  It lasts a few moments (while stopped) then disappears.  I don't see the oil light flicker or anything like that.  I read the Valk Faq on another site.  it described a lot of interesting sounds the Valks make.  This does of course concern me.  But thought I would ask here for ideas.  Oh, it has 45,000 miles on it, and in every way appears to be well maintained.  I'm pretty sure it is not the radiator fan.

One last thing for tonight (promise)  can anyone nudge me towards a site or thread that gives good info for new Valk riders?

Thanks,
Steve

[bigdog99]

not sure of the noise not hearing it,
the oil should be checked standing up straight. the darker color may be something to do with the temperature device.
check out shop talk above. its amazing and will get you interested in doing your own maintenance. saved me hundreds in dealer fees.

[Robert]

A few things the owners manual is well useless but you can download a shop manual on Dags site
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/ has alot of good info and you can learn real fast. Noise no  real idea need a little better description and maybe a sound bit if you have the ability. The front cover comes off real easy and the belts are under that I would give a look see. As for the dipstick the bike upright sounds like someone marked it for that which is the way to check the oil level. If you can try to find someone that has a oem stick and just do a comparison. It takes 3.9 qts oil so you can also gauge by that. If you look in shop talk or the old tech files you will find plenty of info.  By the way congrats and welcome 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Glad to meet you. Check out rattlebars.com  chet has some very good reading for any valk rider new or old.

[sandy]

Your oil temp dipstick the same as mine. The darker area is the oil level when checked with the bike upright. The upper line means nothing. The next time you change your oil and filter, add 4 quarts and run the engine. Let it sit and then check it and make a note where the level should be.

[sugerbear]

if the "clatter" you hear is more of a "click"(just one or two) it's probably the floating brake calipers.

it's normal.
and as has been said earler, pour 4 qts in(with a filter change)don't worry about that .1 qt.

also read up on oil, make your own decision. just make sure it doesn't have friction modifiers in it.
(bottom of the little circle on the back is empty) something like 15-50 20-50 make the transmission quieter.

also keep an eye open for a "wrench party" near you. you'll learn alot.

enjoy

[Walküre]

Also, if I were you, I'd go to my profile, and add whereabouts you live. It helps to connect with others, especially when you need it!

Just my $.02 worth,

R

[Chiefy]

Your oil temp dipstick the same as mine. The darker area is the oil level when checked with the bike upright. The upper line means nothing. The next time you change your oil and filter, add 4 quarts and run the engine. Let it sit and then check it and make a note where the level should be.

Thanks.  In the mean time I emailed the manuf, and they emailed back the 1 paragraph instructions.

[Chiefy]

if the "clatter" you hear is more of a "click"(just one or two) it's probably the floating brake calipers.

I don't think so, but I'm taking it out in a few minutes     I'll try to pay a little closer attention.

I assume that famous buzzing bolt noise doesn't go away, and is heard while riding?  I'm only hearing this briefly at stops.

[ricoman]

This IS THE BEST SITE for info for new Valk riders, period.
Do a "search" for any topic and you will find answers!

[BF]

I found this very useful.....

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

My regular computer is acting up right now.  It's got all of my links on it.  If I get it going, I'll post up some links to some other places that I found with useful info.  There are a bunch of them out there.....however, this is bar none the best/only starting place for info. 

Welcome to the neighborhood.....and the addiction. 

[ldrandler]

And congradulations, you can now call yourself a DragonRider.  I will echo what the above members have said - This site is your first stop for information about your new ride.  Plenty of links to other very useful sites are found here too.  I only got mine about three months ago and this site has proved invaluable.  You've got a solid, fast, good handling and comfortable machine, enjoy it and ride safe.

[Chiefy]

Thanks for all the help.  I didn't think so yesterday, but today I'm thinking the radiator fan might be causing the clattering noise I'm hearing.  Only happens at stops, and not at every stop.  It's still hot here in Florida, so I'm sure with 6 cylinders running the heat must rise very fast when you slow down.  Which begs the question...... How noisy is a normal fan?

I'll take a peek at it this Saturday.  Dealer gave me a 50/50 warranty, but on my last bike he did three repairs for free, one of which was 10 days past the warranty expiration.  (That's why I bought this one from him.)

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

You can test the fan very easy. On the radiator lower left corner is a sending unit. With key on remove wire and ground it to the frame or engine, fan should come on so you can hear it. I've seen dirtdobbers build nest large enough the keep fans from running at all. Both my bikes you can't hear the fan running if the engines running, but I can tell by my voltmeter as the fan pulls enough juice to drop reading at idle.

[john]

you come to the right place ...
don't let it set without ride'in for long and you should
have very few problems ...
it is a real peice of work ...     
20/50 (heavy oil) ... keep tire air pressure up (45 lbs)...
regular gas ...
check ebay for used and or aftermarket  parts ...
and stay with this board ...
welcome to the asylum ...     

[Chiefy]

You can test the fan very easy. On the radiator lower left corner is a sending unit. With key on remove wire and ground it to the frame or engine, fan should come on so you can hear it. I've seen dirtdobbers build nest large enough the keep fans from running at all. Both my bikes you can't hear the fan running if the engines running, but I can tell by my voltmeter as the fan pulls enough juice to drop reading at idle.

Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow morning.  Spent all evening cleaning her up. 

[BF]

Here's a few links with some info you might find useful......

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

http://www.timskelton.com/valkyrie/tech/index.htm

http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/26/techTips.html

http://www.valkyrieguy.com/

http://hammer.prohosting.com/~schutzrs/tech.htm

http://www.timskelton.com/valkyrie/index.htm

http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/valkyrie.html

http://www.virtualbiker.com/valkyrie/

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/valkyrie.html

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

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_select2.asp?category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1997&fveh=3465

http://www.directlineparts.com/

http://www.bigbf.com/