next project - Valkyrie or SilverWing?

[toomanybikes]

As I'm always scanning ads for the next project, even when I have a GL1100 and Suzi GS850G that are not yet done, I'm curious to get your collective input on two local possibilities: a Valkyrie and a SilverWing. For background, I tend to buy, fix, ride, then sell once I get bored.

Silverwing. '82
- Unmolested, relatively low miles
- needs mech seal, but I've done that before. A few other issues, like carb sync and front brake. Nothing outrageous and also not my first CX/GL
- cheaper to buy, but also worth less once resurrected
- surprisingly, at 6'3" it fits me better based on cycle-ergo
- two carbs, easier to work on
- lighter

Valkyrie, '04
- more expensive, but worth more and more possible buyers once finished.
- unmolested, mid range miles
- I haven't done a Valk before, but plenty of GL's and CX's
- better on windy highways and two up riding, but then again I avoid highways whenever possible and the wife doesn't want to go further than the local ice cream shop.
- leaking oil, unsure of cause
- heavy and the wide tank can be annoying

I realize it's my own choice, but curious to hear from others. Neither would be a daily rider. I have modern bikes for that.

[Lucien Harpress]

I've never owned a Silverwing, but the best thing I've heard about the CX500 family is "dependable at best, boring at worst".

Now, my Valkyrie? Best bike I've ever ridden. A bit heavy in parking lots, sure, and gas milage is "eh", but get it moving? Fast, stable, handles surprisingly well, and dead-nuts smooth at any speed. If I could only keep one bike, the Valk would be it.

[Fred Camper]

Never owned either, but even though my wife rides little, I like a bike that can handle two up without compromise. Only the Valk can do that with your choices.

[toomanybikes]

I've never owned a Silverwing, but the best thing I've heard about the CX500 family is "dependable at best, boring at worst".

Now, my Valkyrie? Best bike I've ever ridden. A bit heavy in parking lots, sure, and gas milage is "eh", but get it moving? Fast, stable, handles surprisingly well, and dead-nuts smooth at any speed. If I could only keep one bike, the Valk would be it.

I'm going to look at the Valk this afternoon. Seller mentions an oil leak, which I'll investigate.

Aside from the usual things to look for in a 25 year old bike and assuming I'm already familiar with '80's Goldwings, are there any Valk specific items to check?

[Whiskerfish]

I think the only reason I do not own a Valk is the higher center of gravity and my stubby legs make a bad combination. Good luck with it!

[ritalz]

Never owned a Valk but I did have a Silverwing and was never happy with it after having four cylinder bikes. Always thought the Valk seat was a little lower but never tried it. In short,, I would lean towards the Valk.

[toomanybikes]

Yup, pulled the trigger on the Valk, picking it up tomorrow. Biggest open question is the source of that very real oil leak. Stay tuned for more details in a different thread.

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[Fred Camper]

Looks like a very well cared for machine. The oil leak will be fixed soon. Enjoy your new ride, think you got the right machine.

[Whiskerfish]

Yea that would be hard to say no to!!

[Lucien Harpress]

Oh, she's super clean! It looks like it was taken care of, at least. That's a good sign.

Maintenance is the typical Goldwing stuff. Oil leaks are pretty rare, so hopefully you're only dealing with one, and it depends where it's at. I know mine just sprung one back by the clutch slave cylinder I'll need to address shortly.

Timing belt changing is a "debated" topic. Half the owners change them by the years, others swear by Honda's milage interval, which iirc is 100,000 miles. My opinion? Theses bikes are getting older, if you're not sure, change 'em.

There's some vacuum lines under the carbs that can be capped off if you want to eliminate potential vacuum leaks. It's part of the emissions system, and until recently at least one "desmog" kit was offered to do it. Air filter under the gas tank is annoying, but thankfully you don't change it often.

Careful with the sidecovers. They're only pinned on the back- the fronts have hooks that attach to loops on the center cover, and you need to rotate them forward to unhook them. If you pull them straight off, you break the hook, and replacement panels are EXPENSIVE ($200-$400 range).

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck!

[toomanybikes]

Oh, she's super clean! It looks like it was taken care of, at least. That's a good sign.

Maintenance is the typical Goldwing stuff. Oil leaks are pretty rare, so hopefully you're only dealing with one, and it depends where it's at. I know mine just sprung one back by the clutch slave cylinder I'll need to address shortly.

Timing belt changing is a "debated" topic. Half the owners change them by the years, others swear by Honda's milage interval, which iirc is 100,000 miles. My opinion? Theses bikes are getting older, if you're not sure, change 'em.

There's some vacuum lines under the carbs that can be capped off if you want to eliminate potential vacuum leaks. It's part of the emissions system, and until recently at least one "desmog" kit was offered to do it. Air filter under the gas tank is annoying, but thankfully you don't change it often.

Careful with the sidecovers. They're only pinned on the back- the fronts have hooks that attach to loops on the center cover, and you need to rotate them forward to unhook them. If you pull them straight off, you break the hook, and replacement panels are EXPENSIVE ($200-$400 range).

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck!

The oil leak is coming out of both sides of the exhaust, so it's more than just a shift saft seal ... but it's also dripping from there. Hopefully it's not the head gaskets. Seller mentioned a PCV valve, but he's not a mechanic by any stretch, so we'll see. Hopefully not the head gaskets.

For me, there's no debate on the timing belts. If you don't know when they were done, do them.

Thanks for the other tips.

[dontwantapickle]

Puking oil out of the exhaust is never good.
Valks are prone to hydrolock. Gas in the oil?
Hopefully you find an easy fix, keep us informed.

[ericheath]

Don’t trust the vacuum shutoff for the fuel. Eventually they fail. Best to turn the fuel off every time as mentioned.

Valk’s have a funky pulse air recirculating system (PAIR) underneath the carbs which puts air into the exhaust. I can’t think of a way oil could make it there unless a hose from crankcase ventilation was mixed up and attached to the wrong place into the PAIR system. It’s a mess under the carb rack.

[toomanybikes]

UPDATE - Yes, there was definitely gas in the oil, based on volume (too much), viscosity (way too thin), and smell. Plus the tank was essentially empty.

It looks like everything is connected properly under the carbs (no loose tubes, factory clamps, etc), but hard to tell for certain and I can't get a clear pic. The previous owner said he had the carbs reworked, but it almost looks too clean for someone to have been in there before unless they were meticulous.

I have a new filter coming and plenty of T6 on hand, so I can see if the leak comes back.

I did start the engine 2-3 times to try and blow the residue out of the pipes. Probably not a good thing now that I realize the gas had seeped into the oil, but they were only ~5 minute sessions at 1-2k rpm so hopefully no damage was done.

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[dontwantapickle]

I did start the engine 2-3 times to try and blow the residue out of the pipes. Probably not a good thing now that I realize the gas had seeped into the oil, but they were only ~5 minute sessions at 1-2k rpm so hopefully no damage was done.

Just call it an engine flush and move on.

On mine, the petcock failed, Oil on the gas. I just replaced it, no engine damage done.
(I think Pingle makes a non vaccuum petcock).

Another thing that happened with my Valk was just flooding.
Turns out that the floats are non adjustable and the pressure to shut off the fuel getting into the bowls is controlled
by those little spring pins in the float needles.

After just over 100,000 miles. the little springs were worn out and I had to replace all 6 float needles.
Probably not your issue at this time but something to keep in mind.

If yo do pull the carbs, get rid of that smog stuff. you don't need it, those vaccuum lines will crack and start sucking in air.