Is this possibly Hydrolock?

[Blaze]

So I was going to look at a Valk I was interested in buying today, then when I got there the guy said it wouldn't start. Here is the sequence of events.... He started the bike, let it warm up. Turned it off for about 30 minutes. Then when he tried to start it again it made a loud clank. Then it wouldn't start anymore. When you try to start it sounds like loud clicking from the starter as its turning over the motor. Someone told him to check the timing belt so he took off the cover. Belts are okay. And of course are turning as the bike is trying to start. But it does not fire up. The noise definitely sounds like its coming from the starter (or back of the motor) area. Any ideas? Is it classic hydrolock? And if so how much damage could it have done?

[Joevalk]

Definitely hydro locked at one time. Starter gears broken.

[Blaze]

Definitely hydro locked at one time. Starter gears broken.

So maybe just the starter gears broken? New starter would fix? If so why wouldn't it ever fire up. The engine is turning over fast enough I think.

[gordonv]

No, the gears on the back of the engine. Remove rear case, clutch and more, and replace all the broken gears, usually 2. Also sometimes the rear case is broken also.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,70846.0.html

[Chrisj CMA]

If the motor is turning over, its not hydrolocked.  Your description of the sounds its making does make one think something is not right, but it could be just a weak battery

[Blaze]

If the motor is turning over, its not hydrolocked.  Your description of the sounds its making does make one think something is not right, but it could be just a weak battery

Definitely not a weak battery. I heard it. Brand new battery and its turning over just fine. Spinning motor strongly. Much experience with engines (cars and motorcycles) so I know its not weak. Broken teeth does sound correct. Just thought it might try to start, even if its spinning a little slow.

[Blaze]

But if that's what it is, what should I offer him for it? I could fix it myself. Never done it on a Valk before but I have rebuilt V-Twins.

[John Schmidt]

Need some specifics on the bike; model, year, miles, extra equipment, etc.

[Blaze]

Need some specifics on the bike; model, year, miles, extra equipment, etc.

2000 Tourer.  Black. Paint in good condition. Aluminum in fair condition. Chrome in fair condition with some surface rust. Ultimate seats and original. 6 in  6 exhaust. And a few chrome extras. (transmission covers, cobra light bar, fender tips).  Stock windshield. Tires 50‰.

[da prez]

non-runner ,in the $1000.00 range max. There is a post of a hydro-lock rebuild on the board.  I have never done a hydro-lock, but with this board info , I would not hesitate. There are also complete engines for sale.

                             da prez

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

non-runner ,in the $1000.00 range max. There is a post of a hydro-lock rebuild on the board.  I have never done a hydro-lock, but with this board info , I would not hesitate. There are also complete engines for sale.

                            da prez

I think you are low even for a non runner given the extras on this one. My estimate @$2000-2500 depending on how bad you want it.

[Blaze]

Thanks for the info.

[Chrisj CMA]

If the motor is turning over, its not hydrolocked.  Your description of the sounds its making does make one think something is not right, but it could be just a weak battery

Definitely not a weak battery. I heard it. Brand new battery and its turning over just fine. Spinning motor strongly. Much experience with engines (cars and motorcycles) so I know its not weak. Broken teeth does sound correct. Just thought it might try to start, even if its spinning a little slow.

If its clattering at start up (when it starts) but runs fine, it can be a hydrolock bike that isint locked anymore, just broken teeth, regardless of that problem...if its spinning the motor strong and not starting THAT IS A CLASSIC WEAK BATTERY SYMPTOM for a Valkyrie.  Try jumper cables to your car and see it she starts.

[NW roller]

I would agree with the weak battery except for the clunking noise he heard.

[Ricky-D]

I don't understand how an engine can continue to turn over by way of the starter motor if teeth are broken from a hydrolock event.

However, I think that has occurred a few other times, maybe, it's just hard to recall. I do know that if the motor can turn over

it will not be prohibited from starting because of the hydrolock having occurred. I do seem to recall one time where an engine

having suffered broken teeth would not turn over, but bumping the bike in gear would allow the engine, then to turn over and start.

I think in this particular case, one problem is the battery as Chris mentions. The clunking noise surely points to damaged teeth

from the hydrolock event.

***

[Blaze]

Well the guy just called me back and he said the shop thinks it's the starter clutch. And now that I think about it I've had a starter clutch go out on my vmax and it did sound similar. But I didn't have to remove my motor on the vmax to fix it. I think you do on a valkyrie correct? And does that sound like the possible problem?

[Ricky-D]

Not if what you relayed in your first post is correct.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

Well the guy just called me back and he said the shop thinks it's the starter clutch. And now that I think about it I've had a starter clutch go out on my vmax and it did sound similar. But I didn't have to remove my motor on the vmax to fix it. I think you do on a valkyrie correct? And does that sound like the possible problem?

Well, I have been active on this board for like 12 years...never heard of a starter clutch but maybe that's because the starter is one of the parts on a Valkyrie that seems to almost never go bad.  I looked at a Valkyrie that a guy just bought, it needed a starter button repair but it also was a hydro bike.  The start-up sounded harsh clattering and gnashing of teeth but it did start and ran fine.

I suspect there's nothing wrong with the starter motor

[Gavin_Sons]

You can repair the hydrolock for around 400 bucks. Done my brothers last summer that he bought and knew it had been locked. Had a couplemissing teeth on the starter gear. It's a pretty big job. Get a buddy that is mechanically gifted to help over a weekend. We done ours in a total of about 20 hours but spread over a couple weeks. The thing is you really dont know whT parts you need until you get the motor out and the cases pulled off. I would offwr him 1500 less than he is asking because that is what a dealer will charge to do the job.

[Blaze]

Well, he said he would take $4000 as is. But I was looking at another 2000 standard with cosmetic issues. Mechanically it looks and rides great. And he said I could have it for $3500 so I took it.

[dpcarson]

Well, he said he would take $4000 as is. But I was looking at another 2000 standard with cosmetic issues. Mechanically it looks and rides great. And he said I could have it for $3500 so I took it.

Good luck.  That does not sound like hydrolock to me if the crank is turning.  Sounds like a starter issue to me or maybe it actually is the starter clutch.  But I aint no mechanic.  If it was the same hydrolock repair that I am working on, that mean either the starter drive gear, idler gear, or crank would have busted teeth, and I am guessing the idler gear is the sacrificial gear to make sure the crank gear doesn't get damaged.  If the idler or starter drive gear were damaged, I cannot see how the engine would be turning over at all.