Checking out a Valk

[ericheath]

Looking at a 97 F6C naked

Anyone have a link to a list of things to look for especially if a known issue?

TIA

[ritalz]

Valks are good looking bikes for sure. I've never owned one but would definitely consider either the valc or F6b if the opportunity came up. I really like the interstate model.

[ericheath]

826 days since I’ve received “the wave” from another motorcycle rider! It’s in the garage, I’m in love.

It’s a little neglected mechanically, but looks great for 26 years old


Pics from the ad on FB.

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Paperwork, figure how to Jack it up, I saw a regular motorcycle Jack won’t work. Need to do the basics.

Sound like tensioners were noisy. Brakes operated properly. Throttle cables are sticky.

[ericheath]

Decided to check the rubber carburetor boots to see if they were tight: 3-5 full turns on each one. Off idle response improved immediately after. Still rich and bumbly at idle. Check plugs next.

It’s reading time.

BTW- the crash never came to my mind although I was pretty defensive. Nothing like watching car after car go by holding their phones in the air.

Riding season is so short here and the last four weeks have been 60+ hour five day weeks. Don’t know when I will get to it.

[ritalz]

Not familiar with the jacking procedure on these. I sometimes roll either wheel or both onto a piece of 2x for additional clearance. The pipes look pretty low so you may need a small block under the motor. I've been able to use a jack under my 1800 without any issues. You will figure it out. She looks great.

[ericheath]

I am looking for an electronic shop manual. Anyone have a link. Free is good.

No fuel gauge??

[ritalz]

My library has one for the 1500 but not the valk. Not sure it would have enough similarities but you are more than welcome to it.

[Whiskerfish]

yea checked and I do not have the Valk manual.

I also use various pieces of wood to give a level lift for the 1800. Not sure why that would not work for this.

[ericheath]

Found a manual. Messed a bit more with it. At idle it’s rough, turn the fuel petcock off and after a bit it runs good before dying.Too much fuel from somewhere, most likely float valves. Hope to find out tomorrow.

I read numerous accounts of having to use adapters to put it up on a motorcycle jack. It seems to go up one mine. Not sure what that’s about.

[ericheath]

Went through the carbs today. Pretty similar to 1200 carbs. First time removing a set is always interesting but if I had to do it again tomorrow it would be pretty easy. Very easy to tear down. All low speed jets were partially plugged. One whole bank of carbs had all screws for the bowl, the slides and the air funnel cover just finger tight. It’s like someone was going to go back and torque them but forgot.

They were surprisingly clean overall, no green gunk, just a few sediment build ups on bowls. All diaphragms looked good. Time will tell if the floats are good or not. There is no adjustment for them. From my limited reading, it sounds like hydrolock is a problem with them. Advice is to turn the petcock off every time and not rely on the vacuum to do it for you. (Reminds me, I think I forgot to turn it off) see ya.

Warmed it up and ran up and down a few blocks. Fun. Very similar to my Schizoid bike. It sure is easier backing a bike up with a lower seat.

[Lucien Harpress]

From my brief ownership of mine, here's my thoughts.

-People say check the splines on the final drive. If they aren't greased properly apparently they wear super quickly.

-No fuel gauge on the Standard model, but the Interstate did have one, along with a slightly larger tank. Upgrading to an Interstate tank is a popular mod, since it's already drilled for a fuel sender (the biggest hassle with fitting an aftermarket gauge) and gets you about a gallon or so more. Which reminds me...

-Range isn't great on these. I'm lucky to pull 35 mpg, and with a 5ish gallon tank, I'm looking for a gas station once I hit 100 miles.

-Owners are split on timing belt replacements. Some follow the Goldwing adage (if you don't know, replace them), while others swear by the Honda interval of 100,000 miles and look at you funny if you crack them open early. If you do be aware that one (and only one) of the belt cover bolts requires sealant.

-Pingle petcocks are a decently popular mod to replace the stock petcock (which may be vacuum operated, I forget). Thing is, this moves the lever from the side of the bike to under the center of it, so take that into account.

-Never heard any major complaints about the carbs. Either this means they work pretty well, or not many owners want to have to deal with 6 of them.

-Certain parts are almost impossible to find, and are super expensive when you do. Yours seem pretty stock, but be aware that any aftermarket part are going to be through the roof. Cobra made a BUNCH of aftermarket farkle add-ons, and then immediately stopped as soon as the Valk stopped production. This means that (to the right people) they are fetching stupidly high prices. I've got a set of driving lights I'll probably let go some point soon (they normally pull north of $600), and I'm glad mine has an aftermarket center stand, because those just don't exist anymore.

-You can get fake velocity stacks for the carb tops. I think they're silly, but a lot of guys swear by 'em.

Still though, it's a great bike, and probably my favorite one I've ever owned. Everything good about the early Goldwings (gobs of smooth power, without fairing a bag weight to slow it down), but more of it. Enjoy!

[Dirty Dave]

There is an adapter that facilitates using a bike lift. Got mine on eBay many moons ago.
East to attach with two 90 degree bolts that slide into the block on either side. Nice of Honda
to have these holes.

Valk adapter

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[sgwilly]

I got my Valk with a different jack adapter already bolted in. It attaches to the cross frame member that the kickstand bolts to. It puts a 1" square steel tube flush with the bottom of the motor. A typical motorcycle jack puts one arm on that tube and the other under the motor. That gets the center of gravity over the jack better. The same thing can be accomplished with some pieces of 2x4s. I have one of them lying around for when I work on my brother's Valk that doesn't have a mounted adapter. Here's a website with some ideas: http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/lowtechlift.htm

There's some debate on how often to service the splines. Some (including myself) do it everytime they change a rear tire. I've got a car tire on so my service intervals are quite a bit longer. Some say folks do it wrong and that causes them to dry up and wear out. Just be sure to do it correctly and don't forget to put the nylon fender washer back in. Such a small flimsey part, but it will keep you from wrecking your rear end.

They do not burn oil. Ever.

The air injection system can cause backfiring when the hoses get old and start cracking. There's a bypass kit available from
RedEye along with some other maintenance items: https://sites.google.com/site/valkparts/Home

The problem with hydrolocking these bikes is the starter is strong enough to crack gears - so the cost is high. I still run my OEM petcock and almost always rely on the vacuum to shut the fuel flow off. Fingers crossed on that.

No fuel gauge. Man up, and ride as God intended - with an eye on your trip meter and a hand on your petcock.

I, too, struggle with tank range. They are just too much fun to not thunder around on. Here I am gassing up to the very tip top. Two up with a trailer on that trip reduced my range to 105 miles.

[Old Fogey]

Doing some quick calcs.
5 US gallons is approx 22.5 litres.
105 miles/22.5 = 4.66 ltr to mile
4.66 x £1.40 /ltr = £6.50 / mile or $8.30 / mile (£1.40 is about right currently; it has been up in the £1.90s)

I'm glad they are too heavy for my poor back (and Bank balance)

[sgwilly]

Doing some quick calcs.
5 US gallons is approx 22.5 litres.
105 miles/22.5 = 4.66 ltr to mile
4.66 x £1.40 /ltr = £6.50 / mile or $8.30 / mile (£1.40 is about right currently; it has been up in the £1.90s)

I'm glad they are too heavy for my poor back (and Bank balance)

If if was $8.30 a mile, my tank would cost $800+ to fill up.
Math can be tough at times and this took me way longer than it should have - so I'm guilty as well.

To fill my 22.5 liter tank at £1.40/liter, it would cost me £31.50
Divide the cost to fill the tank by the number of miles in the tank and you get £/mi.
31.50/105 = 0.30 £/mi.

Something around 21 cents/mi with fuel costs during my trip. I did see it over $8/gal in California.

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