Shifting issue

[billmoore]

seems like my valkyrie is power shifting all of a sudden. Idle is good at between 900-1000 but when I accelerate and start upshifting it feels like the RPM's are staying up throughout the shift..Any suggestions. Just did the plugs, air filter, all the fluids.

[Daniel Meyer]

"fluids"

Oil? Did it have friction modifiers? (anything in the bottom half of the circular API symbol on the bottle)

[billmoore]

Used Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W40 oil & Mobil 1 75W-90 gear lubricant. Never had an issue before

[Len]

I agree with using Mobil Synthetic lubricants. My bike would stick in 2nd or 3rd on high rpm shifts before changing the oil at 6,000 miles. I changed again at 10,000 miles and she shifts smoothly.

[Daniel Meyer]

That oil should be good...dunno...maybe a good bleed on the clutch would be a start...can't really think of much else.

[billmoore]

I used Bel-Ray Super Dot 4 brake fluid when I did the brakes and the clutch last week. I have the speed bleeders so it's pretty hard to mess up on the fluid change but maybe I'll do the clutch again just to be sure.

[R J]

seems like my valkyrie is power shifting all of a sudden. Idle is good at between 900-1000 but when I accelerate and start upshifting it feels like the RPM's are staying up throughout the shift..Any suggestions. Just did the plugs, air filter, all the fluids.

Are you letting up on the thingie on the right side of the handle bar?
That is if I'm reading your post correctly.

I'm taking it if you run it out to say 3,500 RPM's, it is staying there while you shift.

If that is not correct, please try to be a little bit better on the discription.

To me a power shift is wind the engine up in the gear and when ya shift, do not let off the throttle, and bang the shifter pretty fast and hard.

From your description, I'd start looking a throttle cables as being the culprit.
My ex-daughter-in-law did not have good coordination with left hand on clutch, left foot on shifter and right hand on throttle.     She'd forget one of them everytime she shifted, usually the throttle.    Don't tell anyone I said so, but sure as he** am glad she is no longer in the family.

[billmoore]

Yes I am letting up on the throttle. Thinking as you do I pulled apart the throttle control and relubed the throttle cable and made sure that when I opened the throttle completely it would snap back without any binding issues. It's only when I am accelerating and shifting, usually at around 3000 or so, I let off the throttle, pull in the clutch and the RPM's barely move off the 3000 as I shift to the next gear.

[Ricky-D]

Yes I am letting up on the throttle. Thinking as you do I pulled apart the throttle control and relubed the throttle cable and made sure that when I opened the throttle completely it would snap back without any binding issues. It's only when I am accelerating and shifting, usually at around 3000 or so, I let off the throttle, pull in the clutch and the RPM's barely move off the 3000 as I shift to the next gear.

Sure, the throttle ought to do that.

Turn the throttle a quarter turn or less, of the way,  and see if it snaps back.

If there's a problem with the throttle assembly, it will show up there.

***

[Rio Wil]

Normally, when running at a steady state and pull in the clutch, the rpm will jump considerably.  If you are letting off the throttle and the rpm is not jumping, it seems the throttle is indeed returning to zero but maybe you have a vac leak somewhere holding the rpms up.  If this was a Triumph TR7 with stromberg carbs, I would say a deceleration bypass valve was mis-adjusted and off its seat allowing the rpms to stay up....but......ahhh,.....nostalgia.

When changing the air filter did you do anything under the air box that might be a contributor? You pulled the tank, be sure the vent, petcock vac lines are installed properly?

[billmoore]

I'm usually pretty careful but I'll check everything again..thanks for everyones help

[al v]

Hold the throttle. Let it rev. Shift fast. The smiles are bigger that way...

I agree with the suggestions... let us know if you figure it out.

[R J]

I let off the throttle, pull in the clutch and the RPM's barely move off the 3000 as I shift to the next gear.

Try changing your sequencs.

Let off the throttle & pull the clutch at the same time, see if that helps.

I tried your routine on MGM tonight and it did the same think yours did.

When I shifted it my normal way, pull clutch and let off the throttle, it let the R's go down and I made my shift.

I made it fail 4 or 5 times doing it your way, (I let off the throttle, pull in the clutch) < your way of shifting..

[Chrisj CMA]

Im having a hard time understanding the issue.  First of all with the Valkyrie its a much rougher shift if you completely close the throttle inbetween shifts, that (IMHO) is not recommended at all.  I try hard to close the throttle ever so slightly between shifts to do exactly what you are complaining of......maintain the rpm through the shift.  Its a smoother shift and much quicker too. 

Sounds like the condition of the cables are ok, but maybe the adjustment at the grip is too loose (too much slack)

[billmoore]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm not complaining about the way it's shifting now(actually like it better) it just seems like something is binding up. When it's on the lift and the wheel is turned all the way to the left the throttle snaps back quickly no matter how much I turn it (1/4, 1/2, or full) Once I turn it past center(straight)  and start turning to the right the throttle starts to bind up to the point that I have to manually bring the throttle back to the start point. Will have to take the tank off again to see if I kinked the throttle cable..Definately don't need the throttle to get stuck wide open while I'm riding.

[Daniel Meyer]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm not complaining about the way it's shifting now(actually like it better) it just seems like something is binding up. When it's on the lift and the wheel is turned all the way to the left the throttle snaps back quickly no matter how much I turn it (1/4, 1/2, or full) Once I turn it past center(straight)  and start turning to the right the throttle starts to bind up to the point that I have to manually bring the throttle back to the start point. Will have to take the tank off again to see if I kinked the throttle cable..Definately don't need the throttle to get stuck wide open while I'm riding.

Yep, you've got a bad cable. Time to replace them (cable and housing)

[R J]

To save a life or 2, follow Daniel Meyer's suggestion,  NEW cables and housings.

[Ricky-D]

Now that you have clearly identified the problem, the fix ought to be pretty simple.

I wouldn't say new cables are the answer right off and I feel you are on the correct path to eliminating the problem.

You don't say much about the bike, and it could have had taller risers, different handlebars, or braided cables installed that can possibly exacerbate this kind of cable binding problem.

I'm confident you can get it corrected.

***

[billmoore]

Thanks again to everyone for their invaluable input.  Have owned two Valkyries in the past, went back to the darkside and had another Harley for the last few years and decided it was time to go back to a REAL machine. This one (2000 Black standard)was 2nd owner, 30,000, great shape but not ridden much in the last couple of years once he got a Gold Wing. Trying to remember everything I used to do to my previous Valkyrie's but it's all starting to come back quick with the bike..Ride safe.

[Mr Whiskey]

Now this is an old 754 trick but.............. work some tranny fluid into the throttle cable housings, (used to tape cardboard from a cereal box around the cable housing like a funnel & add automatic transmission fluid). This should improve the situation till new cables come in.
Peace, Whiskey.

[R J]

Hey Whiskey, that really is an old trick.........    We used to do that to our CHP motors in the shop.

We rode HD motors then and had 3 shift of mechanics to service and repair all of them.     When we went to Jap Crap as everyone calls it, we were able to get rid of 2 shifts of mechanics and 3 tow trucks (flat beds).

When we were assigned to San Fran, everyday we took motors out, at least 6 would come back on the hook before their 8 hour shift was done.

[Farther]

When we were assigned to San Fran, everyday we took motors out, at least 6 would come back on the hook before their 8 hour shift was done.

A little hard to make your quota when your rides on a hook!

[R J]

When we were assigned to San Fran, everyday we took motors out, at least 6 would come back on the hook before their 8 hour shift was done.

A little hard to make your quota when your rides on a hook!

They brought another one out when picking up the one with a problem.

Oh yeah, the CHP never has quota's, the local PD's might of had them however.

[Farther]

I ment your quota of donuts.

[R J]

I ment your quota of donuts.

The area I was in had a nice Chinese food place.

Loved their egg rolls.    Now there I had a quota.  Yes sir-re Bob.

Worst part was he gave them to us for keeping an eye on his establishment.

He would give out about 30 to 40 egg rolls a day.     It would be very rare to go by there with out an LEO vehicle of some kind in the parking lot during store hours.     Before we started stopping off there for a coffee break, he had been robbed about once every 3 weeks.     After we started, he wasn't robbed again that I am aware of.      The owner had been pistol whipped a few times and he had been shot 3 or 4 times, but he kept the door open, he made a good living there.         About 6 years ago, the CAL-Trans bought his property so as to expand a clover leaf on the 5.   I'd say he was in his 80's then, I know his son, grandson and great-granddaughter all worked there.

[Farther]

a nice Chinese food place.

As a former food safety inspector, in my experience, that is an oxymoron.   

[fantsybikr]

I used Bel-Ray Super Dot 4 brake fluid when I did the brakes and the clutch last week. I have the speed bleeders so it's pretty hard to mess up on the fluid change but maybe I'll do the clutch again just to be sure.

i tried to put a speed bleeder on my clutch and it didnt work properly..maybe just me..but I couldnt get it to bring my clutch back up..i threw it back in the box and put the old one back one.