Basic Repairs?

[ragincajun]

Was reading some posts and saw a few remarking on "regular maintenance" to their Valk.  Oil & filter, clean/adjust and tune carbs. Nothing major. Am I right in reading that this runs about $1500 or so?  Just wondering. As you know from my prior posts I  currently bike shopping and I don't think I sPent that much combined in five years on my last bike, let alone every 25000 miles. Hopefully I either read the information wrong or missed something major.

[sugerbear]

we do it ourselves. don't think i've spent that much in the 8 or so years i've owned the bike.

have no idea what the dealer would charge. it's really is easy to do it yourself.
also lets you know it was done right.

[Michvalk]

Regular maintaince has more to do with the rear. When you install a new tire on the rear, there are some things to look at back there that can be done at the same time. In the scheme of things, takes less time to do it then, than to tear down to fix it later. I had my Interstate for several years, and over 30,000 miles, and did not have to do much else besides that. One air filter, several oil and filter changes. Never had to mess with the carbs, or valves or any of the many things that others choose to do. I think the only thing extra I had to do was rear wheel bearings, and fast and easy job. My bikes never see the inside of a dealers shop, and with all the help on the board, you probably never will either. Remember, No one ever posts about riding and not having to fix their bike. All the posts on the tech board usually are from people who need help with something, and I have never seen a post go unanswered with some great help. And if worse comes to worse, someone near you can come and help for a couple cold ones and a sandwitch. You will need to work on this bike far less than you imagine

[hubcapsc]

I do all my maintenance. I don't "work on the motor" so I keep wanting to take
it in to some trustworthy mechanic to change the belts, sync the carbs and adjust
the valves, but none of that has been touched in the last 50,000+ miles over
the last five years that I've owned the bike.

When I changed my oil a week or so ago the mileage was 78,883... the bike usually
turns on with one button press, and when I rode it last week all I could think of
was "man this thing runs good".

Everything about the bike's rolling stock seems easy to work on, the last week or
so I've been rebuilding several final drives. I've got two in the other room that
are ready to put back together as soon as the new seals I ordered get here.

-Mike

[Oss]

In shop talk is a section called Drill Sgt Joes maintenance page

I am blessed with 2 left hands and all my tools are for right handed people    

Yet I have managed to do oil change and filter, dragon drool service, final drive oil changes, brake pad changes, air filter changes and with considerable help from Highbinder and Lady Draco, one rear spline maintenance.

I will be riding to a members house this fall to do the aux fuse block install

A member has helped me with the front fork seal at around 60k (I commute on roads with big potholes and expansion joints that throw you airborne and rattle the fillings.)

If I can do this anyone can do this Download the manual from Dag's norway website for free and buy a clymer manual  and use shoptalk and the tech board for your questions You will find terrific folks who dont always agree but always want you to enjoy riding your Dragon

Dont let the fear of the unknown hold you back from the greatest bike you will ever own

[old2soon]

I bought the H/F yellow M/C lift some metric sockets and other odds and ends i was missing AND with the unlimitless help available on this board-i duz it myself. It is NOT as intimidating as one might think. Oil changes rear end maintenance are all handled in my garage. I rebuilt the rear brake caliper changed out the brake and clutch and rear end fluids. I put in new cam drive belts-just PAY ATTENTION to the manual and triple and quadruple check everything. By getting familiar with your gal and doing yer own services not only will it get done correctly you will notice any shortcomings that may or may not be happening with your lady. And someone may be close enough to come over and lend a hand. I do farm out my tire changes BUT i have access to a custom M/C shop and i get along with the owner and his mechanics. This winter i will rebuild the front brake calipers and ALL the fluids will be changed out so i can have a summer of uninteruppted riding.  RIDE SAFE.

[MP]

Was reading some posts and saw a few remarking on "regular maintenance" to their Valk.  Oil & filter, clean/adjust and tune carbs. Nothing major. Am I right in reading that this runs about $1500 or so?  Just wondering. As you know from my prior posts I  currently bike shopping and I don't think I sPent that much combined in five years on my last bike, let alone every 25000 miles. Hopefully I either read the information wrong or missed something major.

WOW!  Oil and filter is $30 Max.  If do every 5000 miles, that is $150.  LOTS of bikes go over 100,000 miles, without touching the carbs.  I see no need to touch them at 25,000.  About the only time they need attention is if you let them gum up from sitting.  Even then, it would not touch $1000.

MP

[Red Diamond]

Regular maintaince has more to do with the rear. When you install a new tire on the rear, there are some things to look at back there that can be done at the same time. In the scheme of things, takes less time to do it then, than to tear down to fix it later. I had my Interstate for several years, and over 30,000 miles, and did not have to do much else besides that. One air filter, several oil and filter changes. Never had to mess with the carbs, or valves or any of the many things that others choose to do. I think the only thing extra I had to do was rear wheel bearings, and fast and easy job. My bikes never see the inside of a dealers shop, and with all the help on the board, you probably never will either. Remember, No one ever posts about riding and not having to fix their bike. All the posts on the tech board usually are from people who need help with something, and I have never seen a post go unanswered with some great help. And if worse comes to worse, someone near you can come and help for a couple cold ones and a sandwitch. You will need to work on this bike far less than you imagine

WOW!  Oil and filter is $30 Max.  If do every 5000 miles, that is $150.  LOTS of bikes go over 100,000 miles, without touching the carbs.  I see no need to touch them at 25,000.  About the only time they need attention is if you let them gum up from sitting.  Even then, it would not touch $1000.

MP
[/quote]
+1

[Jess Tolbirt]

dont worry about the valves unless they start ticking,, i checked my every 50,000 miles and they were still with in tolerance at 150,000

[olddog1946]

The most common expense on a Valk is....wait for it..........BLING!
I put 24000 miles on my Valk in 18 months, spent money on oil, filters, fluids, left rear bearing and fork rebuild (dealer twice, but never again). Oh and two tires. Maybe $350 , now bling....well, that's a whole nother story.