New from NY

[DGS65]

I recently received a new to me 98' Valkyrie.  A friend of mine gave it to me I just had to ship it from CA to NY.  The bike had a full service about a year ago and about a month ago the carbs were rebuilt due to sitting for about a year.  I have new tires all new fluids the bike only had 3600 miles when it got here and now about 3800. 
A couple of questions and I'm sure I will have more.
1st should I replace the timing belts based on age?
2nd is there any reason I should have run out of gas today at 182 miles on a full tank and why didn't the reserve tank setting work?  It was set to on and the tank went bone dry!  Added gas and it started right up.

I have owned many bikes in the past only one had a fuel gauge I have always relied on the reserve switch I was a bit surprised when it didn't work!

Anyway so far I love the bike looking forward to plenty of fun short trips.

[Valkorado]

Welcome to the asylum!  Dang, that's a heckuva buddy you've got there!     Sounds like you've got yourself an Interstate.  182 on a tank is certainly not unheard of, depending on your wrist.  You should be able to milk more mpg riding easy (no fun) on a well tuned bike.  The reserve and gauge deal is problematic, more will chime in.

As far as belts, Honda nd most here will tell you to wait until 100k.  A handful have changed 'em and even tensioners for peace of mind.  The tech board is your friend!

Enjoy the bike!

[Oss]

Where in. NY

I Am the NY rep

Check the settings on the fuel shut off...maybe it was set on reserve all along

Welcome and pls think about going to inzane.    Need pics. 98 is not interstate but may have interstate tank

[Valkorado]

Need pics. 98 is not interstate but may have interstate tank

Oh yeah duh. 

[da prez]

 When the carbs were done , the selector could have been installed incorrectly. Time to check it over is now. Tech board and someone is near you.

                          Welcome.

                                                      da prez

[DGS65]

20180523_155401 by David Sokol, on Flickr

The bike is a Tourer I would love to hear move about this Reserve I had my wife double check it was in the on mode I switched it to reserve and the tank was empty.
Yes very good friend actually former business partner I helped him pick out the bike 19 years ago.  He retired and moved to CA about 10 years ago and has only put about 300 miles on it since he got there.

I wish I could come to the event but I have work and several hobbies cars boats not to mention a family
I was hoping to make it to Carlisle for the Corvette week but this too will have to wait at least another year.  I have vacation plans to take a boat trip soon and this is my first love after my wife that is!

I live in Rockland county NY and boat on the Hudson River I have lived here my entire life.  I haven't seen any other Valkyries in the area but I'm sure there must be a few.

[Bighead]

It was on res. To get 182 miles. As Ross stated check and make sure the selector was put on correctly.
   

[Oss]

I am in Ossining but my (new to me) 99 Interstate lives in Orangeburg   We have a member in Chester NY and in Newburgh area as well as Dutchess County and south of you in Jersey
And g man in Greensburg
PM me - the square button on the right under my avatar,  if you want or email me at evan@rogersandrogersesq.com

I am not by any means a Valk mechanic but I can take off the tank if you have just a gallon or so in it and check the petcock operation and doubt I will break anything I look at  (maybe)  Like has been said the fact you got 180 on a small tank is normal. In fact I could not get that miles on a standard tank and I never even go that far on my interstate tank before filling up as I often amble along around 3500 rpm on the open road
(70-75 mph)

[hubcapsc]

Timing belt's probably good, your call on replacement.

Fiddle with the petcock like others have said. The plastic knob has
to reach over a few inches under the tank to turn the petcock selector.
You should feel a positive click in all three positions. The petcock insides
might be bad... there's lots of posts about the "cover set" (rebuild kit)
you can read up on by searching this site. New petcocks from Honda
are another option, about $130 I think. Valkyrie petcocks are pretty
important, you don't want gas drizzling into any of your top-ends while
the bike sits or you might get a bad $urpri$e when you hit the
start button.

-Mike "but we love our Valkyries!"

[G-Man]

Greenburgh, here!  On the other side of the bridge(s). 

With your tank I used to gas up every 130 - 140 miles.  Would sometimes hit reserve, but usually not.  Reserve will give you about 30 more miles.

[DGS65]

I live in Nanuet I'm a few minutes from Orangeburg.  While I'm not a mechanic I'm very mechanical and work with tools for a living.  I have own many bikes in the past and usually serviced all of them.  I probably should have only put enough fuel in the tank to get home but I filled it this said I will drive the bike until I drain the tank a bit before I examine the petcock.  The timing belts should be here tomorrow I'm not in a huge rush but the bike is 20 years old I don't think it's a bad idea  being the results of a broke belt it catastrophic.

 

[DGS65]

It just occurred to me I drove the bike a little before I filled the tank the first time and I didn't reset the trip odometer I was trying to track how many miles I would put on the bike in the first couple weeks.  This said I probably only had about 150-160 miles on the tank.  I was really counting on the petcock working.  I know the off was working the day it was shipped to NY my friend though there was something wrong with the bike because he forgot to turn it on.  I will have to do a similar test,  turn it off make sure it stalls then put it on reserve and see if it works and again put it on and see if all three positions appear to work.  I will have to take a closer look to see if it is possible to be plumbed backwards.  The tank was likely just off the bike before it was shipped here all the carbs were rebuilt.  They also cleaned out the tank so I'm sure the pulled the tank I guess it's possible something could have been reversed.  It is also possible that I'm reading the petcock backwards but one would assume the pointy side indicates what you are selecting. 

[Ramie]

Welcome and enjoy the ride.

[old2soon]

182 outa yer tank I believe you were in rs already. NOT the first time that has happened to anyone nor will it be the LAST! I have an I/S which has two trip meters and a fuel gage. The right hand helps determine fuel mileage.  I've run my I/S to rs in about 125 miles or so. Course I were in triple digits while doin that!  These beasts of ours WILL cruise all day at/over the ton and do it gladly. Course runnin likea dat do dip into the wallet.  Welcome to our sandbox and BBQ and ice cold adult beverages help ya git more help!    Again-Welcome from the Missouri Ozarks. You do realize of course that you are now forever lost and the only bike you'll ever want is a Valkyrie?  RIDE SAFE.

[Gryphon Rider]

The chrome knob should point down for on, forward for off, and up for reserve, but I'm sure you know this from looking at the legend plate.  In addition to the 8mm-wrench-size screw that prevents the legend plate from rotating, a Phillips (technically JIS) screw way in at the bottom of the hole in the selector knob holds the knob on,  securing the square connection between the knob and the valve.  That connection should only fit one way because one of the four corners is radiused (see below), but it's possible to force the knob on in the wrong position by unintentionally breaking the plastic at the square connection.  Go to this ebay listing and look at the cracks at the end of the knob's shaft where it connects to the valve for an example of the resulting damage.

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

** Edit to add **
The valve repair kit, known as a "cover set kit" does absolutely nothing to fix the ON-OFF-RESERVE side of the valve, but only deals with the vacuum side.  Honda provides nothing to  fix the ON-OFF-RESERVE side of the valve.

[The emperor has no clothes]

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

Uh.....did somebody forget about discussing grammar etiquette ? 

[Gryphon Rider]

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

Uh.....did somebody forget about discussing grammar etiquette ? 

...and grammar, and guns, and Hillary, and raging neighbors, and texting drivers, and opinionated vegans, and...

[The emperor has no clothes]

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

Uh.....did somebody forget about discussing grammar etiquette ? 

...and grammar, and guns, and Hillary, and raging neighbors, and texting drivers, and opinionated vegans, and...

Ah.....now you are talking. 

[msb]

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

Uh.....did somebody forget about discussing grammar etiquette ? 

...and grammar, and guns, and Hillary, and raging neighbors, and texting drivers, and opinionated vegans, and...

Ah.....now you are talking. 

....and then there's the real oddball or three or four on here that still like to post and discuss riding and other MC-related topics or haven't tired of talking about their Valkyrie...who the heck let them on the here? 

[The emperor has no clothes]

This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, for posting videos of members dancing in their underwear, and when we really want to be on the edge and post something Valkyrie-related, pictures of our restaurant meals from a recent ride.  The only motorcycle tech things that should be posted here are mechanical problems people we know are having with their super-expensive Harley Davidsons.

Uh.....did somebody forget about discussing grammar etiquette ? 

...and grammar, and guns, and Hillary, and raging neighbors, and texting drivers, and opinionated vegans, and...

Ah.....now you are talking. 

....and then there's the real oddball or three or four on here that still like to post and discuss riding and other MC-related topics or haven't tired of talking about their Valkyrie...who the heck let them on the here? 

I don’t know, but they should be disbarred 

[Patrick]

How much was your shipping cost ? Curious.

The fellas pretty much covered everything.

I ride [ or used to] by the trip meter and was looking for fuel at 160 miles.

One thing about the belts. Even though they are supposed to be good for at least 100K, I believe in changing them due to time. They are not hard to replace. Just be careful. Pull the sparklers so the engine can be turned over easily by hand. Do not let the cam pulleys move while replacing. To insure that, roll the engine over by hand a couple times and make sure the marks align correctly before starting the engine. These are not clearance engines. You might also want to make sure the drain holes are clear and there is no water setting down in those holes, they can be cleared from below.

[Crackerborn]

Many have gone to aftermarket petcocks. I would love to get 160 miles to a tank on my tourer but that would mean less twist of the right wrist. I tend to get to the posted speed fairly quickly (and beyond on country roads). One of the few people I will ride with has a tricked out CVO alphabet soup Road King and he can stay with me down the road. Of course he paid dearly to get that performance and his ride spends significant time at Uke's. (HD dealer that asked me to leave when I went in with a "ask your momma" tee shirt on. Some have no sense of humor.)

[Willow]

...
This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, ...

I know that was meant to be humorous, but with new members we need to be sure they don't take you seriously.   The General Board is not restricted.  That's why we call it the General Board.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

...
This question really should be on the 1500 Tech Board (click here).  The General Board is reserved for discussing Donald Trump, Rosanne Barr, Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories, ...

I know that was meant to be humorous, but with new members we need to be sure they don't take you seriously.   The General Board is not restricted.  That's why we call it the General Board.   

Does anybody take GR seriously ? 

[DGS65]

It's been a tough day I left for work this morning and there was a distinct smell of gas near the bike but no sign of fuel.  When I got home it seemed to be worse but still no sign of fuel.  I tried to start the bike and it sounded like the battery was dead I was a little suspect about this battery when it got here.  I put a volt meter on it and it was just under 12 volts if I tapped the starter it dropped to 6 volts.  I pulled the battery and run out and bought an AGM dropped it in and guess what that's right still nothing.
I figured the smell must be telling me something so I pulled the plugs hit the starter and I should have cover the holes with rags but instead I shot fuel all over the garage!  checked the oil and it too is full of fuel.  I pulled the tank removed the petcock and the membrane is shot.  Unfortunately it doesn't fully turn off either and it must be leaking for the reserve side which would explain why I ran dry yesterday. 
So now I have to find a replacement petcock hoping to get it soon so I can but the bike back together.

Sadly I didn't read this thread until I was done, it would have been very helpful to know about the screw deep inside the selector knob that was a PITA to figure out but not damage done.  That's not entirely true I did ruin a pair of pants with fuel and my entire house now smells me wife is not happy but the bike will be OK.  I will drain the oil tomorrow.

[DGS65]

easy enough to find online I place the order but won't get it until 5-8.
I guess this gives me time to clean up the mess.

So I guess the big question now it is are there no floats in the carbs?
Why did the fuel overflow the bowls and fill the engine?
I understand the fuel should not have been able to flow if the vacuum membrane was working but I assumed there was still a float in each bowl but I guess not.

[Pappy!]

Welcome to the forum from Central Florida!
Sorry to hear about your misfortune on the petcock but it does not surprise me as it has been exposed to alcohol extended fuel out in Taxifornia for two decades now.
Sounds like a great low mileage bike for sure and we would love some pics of it.
On my standard if I am making miles and running fairly hard I am switching to reserve around 135 miles. I figure another 30 miles to go (being safe). Running easy I can obtain numbers like yours. Just keep that in mind when you do get things sorted out.
Also, Hydro-lock, be aware that is something our phat gurls are subject to and something you apparently narrowly avoided. Be very happy your battery was on the low side when you hit the starter!! Yes, floats should have been able to stop the flow. You may very well have two separate issues that need to be addressed.

[The emperor has no clothes]

easy enough to find online I place the order but won't get it until 5-8.
I guess this gives me time to clean up the mess.

So I guess the big question now it is are there no floats in the carbs?
Why did the fuel overflow the bowls and fill the engine?
I understand the fuel should not have been able to flow if the vacuum membrane was working but I assumed there was still a float in each bowl but I guess not.

Yes, they have the regular floats and needles like carbs of old. Our floats are plastic though. I know that you said the carbs were rebuilt, but there is really no telling what the dealer or whoever did them actually did. As much sitting as this bike has done a removal and inspection is probably warranted. Even though mine gets used daily, it gives me peace of mind having a Dan Marc electric fuel shut off on the bike. They are relatively cheap.

[Valkorado]

Tough day for you, maybe (especially with the unhappy wife aspect) but A GOOD DAY!  You did everything right, and prevented hydrolock!  Woo-hoo!  You da man.  Now get yourself a new petcock.  BTW, buy Honda not cheap eBay Chinese petcock. I've heard bad things about those.

You might look into installing a Dan Marc electric fuel shutoff and doing the manual petcock mod while you're at it.  And put Star-Tron in ethanol fuel if you can't find pure gas where you live.

[DGS65]

The engine did lock up I had to pull the plugs to get it to spin.  I don't believe it did any damage but I won't know until I get the new petcock.  My entire house smells like gas, I didn't sleep well last night as a result in fact I should be fast asleep right now!
the electronic fuel shutoff sounds interesting I'm assuming it opens with the key being turned on?  Where do you tap power for this?

[baldo]

The engine did lock up I had to pull the plugs to get it to spin.  I don't believe it did any damage but I won't know until I get the new petcock.  My entire house smells like gas, I didn't sleep well last night as a result in fact I should be fast asleep right now!
the electronic fuel shutoff sounds interesting I'm assuming it opens with the key being turned on?  Where do you tap power for this?

http://themetapicture.com/his-her-diary-from-the-same-day/

Kind of sums it all up.

[Valkorado]

The engine did lock up I had to pull the plugs to get it to spin.  I don't believe it did any damage but I won't know until I get the new petcock.  My entire house smells like gas, I didn't sleep well last night as a result in fact I should be fast asleep right now!
the electronic fuel shutoff sounds interesting I'm assuming it opens with the key being turned on?  Where do you tap power for this?

Ya, on with key.  Seen them tapped under the right side cover. 

Just a thought.  With the bike out of commission for so long it's not unusual it locked but you mentioned you had it shipped out. If the shipper did not run the carbs dry prior to loading the bike, they may have increased the potential considerably.

[baldo]

Another option is to go with an aftermarket petcock. Pingel is a popular choice...

http://www.pingelonline.com/Fuel-Valves/designer.asp

I think this is the correct choice, would need to be confirmed....

[MAD6Gun]

 I use the factory petcock because I don't like the idea of having to turn off the fuel every time I'm done riding like you would have to do with the pingal. I also installed a Dan Mark fuel cutoff. I did not simply wire it into a ignition power. I used the feed from the ignition module to turn on a relay that runs the cutoff solenoid. This way if you hit the kill switch OR the bike goes down the fuel will be cutoff even if the ignition switch is still on.

[DGS65]

I honestly don't think it was shipped dry being it was driven onto the truck the petcock was turned off.  Once the bike made it to NY I proceeded to put 180 miles on the bike and everything seemed fine until I ran out of gas.  I topped off the tank then park it in my garage and it proceeded to fill the engine.
I think the problems are simply due to the bike suddenly getting used it only had 300 miles in 10 years although it has been service a few time in this period.  Last year was a complete update tires and carbs and a solid go over and just before shipping was a carb rebuild but that is all.  After taking apart the petcock it was clear the membrane had melted and was breaking down from alcohol in the fuel it looks like it may have worked intermittently but combined with the valve leaking from the reserve side it was not a good combo.   I have a replacement on order I should have it around the 5th.
The only good thing about this happening is I'm quickly becoming familiar with turning a wrench on the bike.  This is far from my first bike and far from my first problem with a bike I'm sure it won't be the last problem either.  In the meantime I will start another thread and post some pictures.  

[Rams]

I know that was meant to be humorous, but with new members we need to be sure they don't take you seriously.   The General Board is not restricted.  That's why we call it the General Board.   

And that is precisely why I took so long to actually join.   It's General Board and I got out as a Captain.  Wasn't sure I was allowed to speak.   Captains are normally seen but not heard in that kind of company.   

Rams

[DGS65]

I'm not afraid to speak!  I'm active on a bunch of forums about boats cars guns and now motorcycles I'm active on most of them I apologize for my lack of spell and grammar skill you will notice many of my post will be edited because as soon as I hit post I notice spelling issues. Some how no matter how many time I proof read post I don't notice the mistakes until I hit post  
If there is a better place for a thread like this I'm sorry what can I say I'm new
I have pretty thick skin I'm not worried about a few peoples comments trust me!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm not afraid to speak!  I'm active on a bunch of forums about boats cars guns and now motorcycles I'm active on most of them I apologize for my lack of spell and grammar skill you will notice many of my post will be edited because as soon as I hit post I notice spelling issues. Some how no matter how many time I proof read post I don't notice the mistakes until I hit post  
If there is a better place for a thread like this I'm sorry what can I say I'm new
I have pretty thick skin I'm not worried about a few peoples comments trust me!

Rams and others were just joking around. You are fine. 

[baldo]

I use the factory petcock because I don't like the idea of having to turn off the fuel every time I'm done riding like you would have to do with the pingal. I also installed a Dan Mark fuel cutoff. I did not simply wire it into a ignition power. I used the feed from the ignition module to turn on a relay that runs the cutoff solenoid. This way if you hit the kill switch OR the bike goes down the fuel will be cutoff even if the ignition switch is still on.

Do you have to turn a vacuum Pingel off? Doesn't it operate the same as OEM?

[MAD6Gun]

I use the factory petcock because I don't like the idea of having to turn off the fuel every time I'm done riding like you would have to do with the pingal. I also installed a Dan Mark fuel cutoff. I did not simply wire it into a ignition power. I used the feed from the ignition module to turn on a relay that runs the cutoff solenoid. This way if you hit the kill switch OR the bike goes down the fuel will be cutoff even if the ignition switch is still on.

Do you have to turn a vacuum Pingel off? Doesn't it operate the same as OEM?

 No. That would be just like the factory one. When the engine stops the lack of vacuum shuts off the fuel. But most Pingels that I have seen installed are on all the time so the practice is to have to turn it off every time.