New Member from Phoenix, Crowded garage - and a question!

[desertrefugee]

Hello Guys and Gals,

Brand new newbie here - and the proud owner of a "new" '97 Standard.  I have lusted after a Valkyrie since they were introduced "back in the day".   I am no youngster and I have ridden all manner of motorcycle since the late 60's.  Went through a British phase (Norton P11, a Triumph Trophy and a '71 Bonneville that I owned for 35 years and, foolishly, sold.  Had lots of UJMs, and 10 years ago finally got into 4 cylinder Goldwings.  I just sold my '84 Aspencade last week.  The garage still holds a '78 GL1000 that I restified.   And a 1st Gen '94 VMax.

Being the kind of guy who scans craigslist for cycles of interest (even when I don't have money), I finally spied a good candidate and had funds - miracles do happen.  So, I brought home the '97 on Feb 28, '15.  Pretty much stock, but Cobra pipes with no baffles (I'm looking for some).  The motorcycle is immaculate and I'm the third owner.  The 2nd, a Mesa, AZ ex-motorcycle cop, still with the department, was meticulous and babied the bike.  41K miles and essentially pristine.

....but, but, but.  Here's where the newbie asks his first question.  (With all due respect, I hope also to offer some counsel myself at some point, having been in the trenches for a while.  This Valk has not been ridden much in the last year.  It fires right up stone cold and idles smoothly almost immediately even without the "choke".   At throttle, it "might" be just a little ragged - but it might also be that I'm just not used to the sound of the Cobras.  

...oh yes, the question:   I threw an I/R gun onto the head pipes just outboard of the heads (at the "welds" and find that the front two cylinders (1,2) are 10 to 15 degrees F hotter than the rear two.  I'm going to throw a can of Seafoam through it in the event the carbs might be gummed up, but figured I'd try my hand at synching a 6 cylinder for the 1st time.  I've done GL's plenty of times - but not a 6.  I'll read the tutorials on using my 4 column Carbtune on this puppy.

So, besides the Seafoam and a quick synch, any other reason I should see higher temps on the front two cylinders?

Sorry for the lengthy diatribe, but that's my short bio - and a question at the end of all the fluff.  
I'm looking forward to the ride, both on this board and on the F6C...

My new favorite motorcycle:


My '78 "cafe" GL1000 (big girls need love too):


My 2nd VMax (now for sale <sniff>)

[Robert]

First off Congratulations, welcome and nice bike, good pic and I like the moded Goldwing. But 10 degrees on a ir is not really a significant difference. The valks are pretty smooth and if you look around you can hear some videos with sound bytes on them. They are also smooth and fairly consistent with idle. Also I would use Chevron Techron additive as a good carb cleaner. You can do it on a half full tank or even  a half full tank run the bike a bit let sit overnight. After you let it run a bit fill the tank then run normally and see how it runs after that. See also what color your plugs are to see if they are the same.

[The emperor has no clothes]

3 nice looking bikes .

[Hook#3287]

Congrats for your new favorite bike, Bumble Bees are definitely cool

I too have a 78 GL1000 I'm in the process of Cafe/bobbin/customizing. I like the looks of the wind fairing on yours.  Where did you get it?

Nice looking Max too

[GiG]

Nice bike there, Fugee 
Looks like a Standard with Tourer windscreen, or a Tourer with aftermarket leather bags.
Might want to think about de-smog,
Bet she run mo better when you ditch the cobras
CHEERS

 

[desertrefugee]

Thanks for the welcome - and the wisdom guys.  I know the Cobras take a little off the top end.  But, dayum, they sound good.  After the sting of the purchase wears off, I might be pipe hunting.  For now, I have a pair of Avons coming and a new Clearshield.

That pretty much wipes me out for a while.

Dang.  Guess that means all I can do is ride.

Bummer.

Oh, and Hook, that's a Viper faring on the GL1000.  They're cheap and can be found all over the place.  Let me know via PM if you can't locate a source.

[old2soon]

I just KNOW if you sell the V-max yer gonna be SORRY. Run a can of B-12 chemtool thru it. Keep the B-12 away from the paint-nuther words pour CAREFULLY. Find the post about Inzane 15 in Spearfish S D in June of this year. And-Welcome to the insanity that IS our corner of this particular sand box!  You will be surprised HOW much help you'll git here with Q and adult beverages!  Again-Welcome from the Ozarks and RIDE SAFE.

[CajunRider]

...oh yes, the question:   I threw an I/R gun onto the head pipes just outboard of the heads (at the "welds" and find that the front two cylinders (1,2) are 10 to 15 degrees F hotter than the rear two.

Several Valk owners who have custom pipes have re-jetted... not needed with Cobras, but some do in an attempt to regain the loss of power. 

Well... long story short, after a few test, it was found that the front two cylinders run best with a different set of pilot jets. 

If I were throwing out guesses, I would say the front two cylinders are running just a shave leaner than the other four, thus causing the 10-15 degree difference you're seeing. 

I may be wrong... just a guess on my part as I've not tested the theory. 

Bottom line... those few degrees aren't going to hurt anything, so run a tank of carb cleaner through and ride it like you stole it! 

[Jess from VA]

Welcome to the farm Arizona.

All nice bikes, but man I love your Cafe GL.  That puppy is a showstopper.

[sandy]

I saw you heading North on the 101. For a change, I was in my truck. I usually am on the Valk. You're right about the open Cobras. A nasty sound for sure.

[Dred]

So ... howdy and welcome from another newbie.  I can't answer the temp differential question yet, but I think it's interesting to read that your Valk is also displacing your Vmax.

My '86 Stage 1, highly modified Vmax is also moving on to make room for my new to me Interstate.  She's not for sale 'cause per agreement, she's a family bike.  I've selected from the short list of approved owners and gifted her to my boss and great friend that helped me resurrect her from life in a barn.  Hurts to let her move on, but ... letting go of her allows me to keep the Moto Guzzi Ambassador (project) and Triumph Tiger (project).

[desertrefugee]

Man.  I've been on a lot of forums - many of them motorcycle related, but this is the friendliest.  Guess that's a good sign that I haven't rankled anybody yet.  (Whew!)

@CajunRider: Thanks for the tip.  I have no idea how it's jetted.  Runs well for the most part.  If I feel ambitious one weekend that's not ride-worthy, maybe I'll peek under the rack.  I hear you can pull jets without yanking the whole rack.  After 4 cylinder Goldwings, that'll be a treat.

@sandy:  If northbound at 0'dark thirty, I was on my way to work.  Such a shame on a good weather day.  

@old2soon and Dred:  I actually am torn about selling the VMax. It has been a labor of love, too.  All my bikes are.  Since I sold my '84 Aspy last week, my crazy reckoning was that the Valk would/could replace both - tourer and nasty cruiser.   I'd actually come out ahead and with extra garage space,  but...nothing really replaces a VMax.

So, I don't know.  I posted the Aspy and the Max at the same time.  I figured the Max would be gone in a day and the 'wing would languish.  It's been the other way around.  Well, since last Friday.

Once again, it's a pleasure to be on board.  I won't be a blabbermouth, but I'll be around.  This Valkyrie is a keeper.

[old2soon]

Ya gots ta piss off a few folks or be a wimp!  Hellz bellz I piss folks off cause I'm still breathin.  You'll find that the majority don't take too much serious cept ridin. THIS board has got bout the finest bunch of folks I've run with in a LONG time.  A LOT if not MOST of us are sufferin thru P M S and it ain't gonna get betta anytime soon.  You want to meet a bunch of these crazies in person be in Spearfish S D in June this year. Want to learn more bout yer Phatt Ghurl-be in Spearfish S D in June this year. Want to have one of the best weeks in yer life-be in Spearfish S D in June this year. And just in case ya MISSED it-be in Spearfish S D in june this year!  RIDE SAFE.

[Mr Whiskey]

 
...oh yes, the question:   I threw an I/R gun onto the head pipes just outboard of the heads (at the "welds" and find that the front two cylinders (1,2) are 10 to 15 degrees F hotter than the rear two.  

They should be about equal, or even cooler, when you're tearin' down the highway. They catch the most wind.

Welcome, pull up a squirrel & grab a nut!

[Pappy!]

Welcome from Central Florida!
You are on the right track with a bit of carb cleaner and a good sync. Can set carb mixtures as well to bring the heat into similar ranges at idle.
I just sold a 2006 VMax and don't regret the sale at all. Loved it but knew I would get in trouble with it. What an incredible rush though!
I can also see a 4-cylinder wing in my future some day...yours is gorgeous!

[jimmytee]

  Welcome

[Pat S.]

You have one of the finest Valk mechanics in the country right in your area.
His handle is big bf.  Bill Ferguson
He is very reasonable on pricing.
He could walk thru your valk and address any other problems you might have.
He is deaf and he has family members who help him with verbal communication.
Welcome to the INZANITY

[da prez]

  How dare you accuse us of being friendly . Who ever said that is probably a member.

     W E L C O ME  to the best family you could ever want. We will help you fix the Valk  as long as you do it our way. It is the best and only way. We never get into discussions on oil, tires ,exhaust ,seats ,chrome or horns. Just do as we say and all will be well.

          WELCOME and ride it often or loan it to some one who will.

                                                da prez

[Jess Tolbirt]

yep when it comes to friendly this is the place,, i bought a (in a real quiet whisper) Harley...but still here because of the Family.. we have folks that if they aint pissin someone off some get pissed at them,, you will love it here and the wealth of information is the best anywhere,, you can even rebuild your house and we have some that will guide you thru it,,welcome!!!

[flsix]

Welcome to the forum D.R. from Florida swamp land.
Your 1000 Wing is really good looking.
Good luck with your new phat gurl.

[RP#62]

Welcome aboard from way over in Gilbert.
-RP

[Crazyhorse]

Nice bikes . I have Cobras on my bumblebee and I don't notice any loss in power. I do have baffles in mind. Welcome to the VRCC. I was out in Parker, Az back in the summer.

[desertrefugee]

I'm going to add one more footnote to this intro thread.  Having been looking (lusting) at Valks for quite a while, the look of the Cobra pipes had always tickled my funny bone.  Naturally, the bike I bought sported a nice set.   But, the baffles were long gone.

Now, I'm not an old fogey, but this thing was a bit too loud for my taste.  Truth be told, as loud or louder than the VMax with a Kerker.  So, I found a set of original Cobra baffles from a member here (what a place) who sent them to my door IN TWO DAYS!   

I installed them and immediately noticed a bit more pull - suggesting that it's up on torque.  Never a bad thing, I believe I have a pretty well-calibrated Butt Dyno.  Far from scientific, but it definitely seems more crisp around town.  Up the power band (i.e. freeway) seems pretty much unchanged.

Still has a nice note and doesn't intrude on my daydreaming while I ride.

Did I mention I'm going to enjoy this motorcycle?

[Strider]

Welcome brother - from another outlaw over in the Louisiana swamplands.  I have made friends for life here......

Beautiful bike man!  Welcome to the inzanity here.

[dpcarson]

Welcome from another FNG over in NC.  I love the old GL1000.  Very nice.  Unfortunately that gives me ideas for once I finish up my current project.  While tearing my motor apart, in addition to seeing the plugs, I learned a lot when I dropped the exhaust and was able to look up into the exhaust ports and could see how lean or rich the cylinders were running.  Also found one that looked a little oily, which has put a compression test on my to do list as soon as the girl gets back together.