Valk Redo

[polkadot]

I threw my back out yesterday again, so I will not be working on the bike anytime soon. I am developing a plan however. The crash bar did not impact the plug or wire though it may look like it in the picture. Also, the belt did not come off. I did not check the timing before removing the belt or cam, so I guess it is possible that it jumped a tooth? Any way, I think the first thing I am going to do is a compression check. That should tell me if I have bent valves on the right side, right? If I do, I can buy a working used right head to install for about $150.00. Seems that would be easier and cheaper than trying to repair/replace a camshaft, valves, etc. (assuming no damage to pistons) If my compression is good, I think I will take off the head covers and check valve clearances (looks like the same job as on my 1000s). If the problems continue after that, I guess I will have to do some more research and try some of your other suggestions. I am trying to tackle the easiest things first. Any suggestions are appreciated. Diagnostics are not my strong point! Thanks again, ern

[Jeff K]

Valkyries are not hydraulic, 1500 Goldwings are. This is also posted on the VRCC tech board and oddly enough the advise has been very similar. Including my post to check the cam and cam bearings to be sure it hasn't been pushed through the head. And to check compression to see if the valves survived. But I guess he feels better off asking for Valkyrie help here because he has been slow to respond to all the willing help on the VRCC.

[polkadot]

. . . This is also posted on the VRCC tech board and oddly enough the advise has been very similar. Including my post to check the cam and cam bearings to be sure it hasn't been pushed through the head. And to check compression to see if the valves survived. But I guess he feels better off asking for Valkyrie help here because he has been slow to respond to all the willing help on the VRCC.

Your handling of this in my opinion proves my point. I sought out the help of the good folks on this board because of the way they respond and help. They may not be Valk owners, but they are very knowledgeable of bikes and motors in general. I expected that I would get some similar responses. I was hesitant to even put it on the Valk board, but figured that I could reach another group of guys for help. Fortunately I have been contacted by several members of that board to offer their help. If you read my posts here and there you will note that I have considered all the suggestions and will get to them as time and life permit. I am so sorry if I have not responded to your satisfaction. I believe that asking for help and information from more than one source is always a good idea.

[Jeff K]

. . . This is also posted on the VRCC tech board and oddly enough the advise has been very similar. Including my post to check the cam and cam bearings to be sure it hasn't been pushed through the head. And to check compression to see if the valves survived. But I guess he feels better off asking for Valkyrie help here because he has been slow to respond to all the willing help on the VRCC.

Your handling of this in my opinion proves my point. I sought out the help of the good folks on this board because of the way they respond and help. They may not be Valk owners, but they are very knowledgeable of bikes and motors in general. I expected that I would get some similar responses. I was hesitant to even put it on the Valk board, but figured that I could reach another group of guys for help. Fortunately I have been contacted by several members of that board to offer their help. If you read my posts here and there you will note that I have considered all the suggestions and will get to them as time and life permit. I am so sorry if I have not responded to your satisfaction. I believe that asking for help and information from more than one source is always a good idea.

I don't have any problem with anyone posting for help on different boards. But since I was one of the ones offering to help you on the VRCC I didn't like being referred to as a second rate Valkyrie mechanic here. The guys on the VRCC tech board have been very helpful to you and hundreds or thousands of others. We do anything and everything to help, to insinuate anything less is an insult. I have overnighted parts to stranded bikers to get them back on the road at my own expense numerous times as many of us have. Because of my extensive experience with the Valkyrie I have made the mistake of offering my advise here on old Goldwings as if it was gospel. It turns out that though they may look similar they are worlds apart.

After 12 total posts on the VRCC you have determined that the VRCC, the largest Valkyrie resource in the world, is not you best source of Valkyrie advice?

Had you asked for help earlier on the VRCC I would have sent you the parts you needed. I have boxes and boxes of Valkyrie parts.

End of subject for me.

[polkadot]

Not sure how this thread got to this point, but I will drop it. Sorry for the inconvenience guys!

[sgwilly]

No problem asking questions. I figured you were fishing around due to low traffic during the holidays. The thread also served as a refresher for some folks, a brain tease for others - whatever - it all fights off dementia in the end. The only rub (and not one that I'd outwardly complain about) is when folks ask for suggestions - get good, well thought out replies - and then ignore them entirely. I don't think that happened here.

Dang. Two supercharged Valks. Any chance you need a new best friend to go riding with?

[sunnbobb]

Keep it going Polkadot, I am very interested in what the problem turns out to be!!!

[robin1731]

Keep it going Polkadot, I am very interested in what the problem turns out to be!!!

As am I. That is how we learn so much.

[Roady]

Yes, please continue. You can't quit now that you've got us well hooked.

[polkadot]

Good News and Bad News. First the good news: I felt good enough to finally look at the bike. I bought a nice compression gauge and it seems to work well. Cylinders 2, 4 and 6 on the left side all read 120 psi. (Specs say 171 and I was surprised that they were that low for a bike that seemed to run great. What does this mean?) Cylinders 1, 3 and 5 on the right side are all the same. Bad News: Cylinders 1, 3 and 5 have compression of 0! I must have bent the valves. I guess that I will have more work than originally anticipated.

[sgwilly]

I wouldn't worry about the even side for now. Your engine was cold with minimal oil flow so lower numbers are to be expected. All even is a good thing.

You probably did bend a valve but you won't know how many until you actually set the timing correctly. Get your manual out and get that odd-side cam set correctly. Then check the odd-side compression again. Once you isolate the problem cylinders, then pull the cylinder head and inspect the valves and piston head. Hopefully, you only bent one valve and didn't damage the corresponding piston.

[Jeff K]

The very first thing you should have done was verify that the valve timing was correct before you ever spun the motor. Doing a compression check was step number 2. If you did in fact verify the timing before spinning the motor to do the compression check, you have big problems.
As far as the low even side numbers, if the motor was cold, and you didn't have the throttle wide open, it will show low. If the valve timing is off it could show low also. The fact that they are all the same is good.

So lets verify the valve timing is correct first.

[sgwilly]

Very true. But it was spun before he initially posted.

I believe this lesson won't be unlearned for quite some time.

[Jeff K]

I realize that. But the response should have started with "I check the timing and it is all OK, pictures attached" "then I did a compression check"

I was hoping to hear that it was just off of timing, not that the valves were crunched. Though plenty of guys have crunched the valves. It was a hot topic years ago to put "trigger wheels" on the Valks. It was an advanced timing wheel. I can't tell you how many guys did it themselves, got the valves out of time and crunched them. Expensive $12 timing wheel.

[sgwilly]

I realize that. But the response should have started with "I check the timing and it is all OK, pictures attached" "then I did a compression check"

The only time that would have helped would have been BEFORE the very first post. I don't find scolding folks about how they should do things to be very productive even the first time around. It's his bike. It was his mistake. It will be his time and money to fix it. No need to continually point out where he's gone wrong or what he should have done - especially not in the authoritative condescending tone you seem to type in.