EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE1-800-90-TRIKEWWW.MOTORTRIKE.COMCLASSIC II SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL LIGHT BAR, TOMBSTONE LIGHTS AND MUD FLAPS.COUPE SHOWN WITH FRONT & REAR BILLET WHEELS AND AQUA SHIELDS.
anyone else) isn’t likely <strong>to</strong> prove <strong>to</strong> be the idealseat for you. One proponent <strong>of</strong> the firmer-isbetterschool <strong>of</strong> thought manufactures seatsthat, in my opinion, feel like fabric stretchedover a plaster mold. And <strong>to</strong>o-s<strong>of</strong>t seats feelcomfy at first but eventually allow the rider’sderriere <strong>to</strong> contact the seat pan, causing painin the long term. Personally, I prefer the s<strong>to</strong>ckseat on both the GL1500 and 1800 <strong>to</strong> any aftermarke<strong>to</strong>fferings. But my physical dimensionsare probably close <strong>to</strong> that <strong>of</strong> the “averagerider.” Some who are taller, heavier, or broaderthan me spend thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars insearch <strong>of</strong> a seat <strong>to</strong> accommodate their particularneeds, and the opinions on any particularseat brand or model vary widely. Nevertheless,you’ll find many seat discussions on the variousGold <strong>Wing</strong> message boards, including ourown. I’m unprepared <strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer a specific recommendationfor reasons already discussed. But Iwill suggest that rather than buying a seatmade <strong>to</strong> fit all, you might want <strong>to</strong> look in<strong>to</strong>those brands that <strong>of</strong>fer a comfort guaranteeafter the sale by which they reshape the seat ifyou’re not happy with it.StuMore Info on Valkyries and "Hydrolock"Stu, I just read your response in the latest<strong>Wing</strong> <strong>World</strong> in regard <strong>to</strong> Dick McCormick’s“Clutch Operation and a Cracked Case” on hisValk (page 40, November 2008 <strong>issue</strong>).One <strong>of</strong> the things we Valk owners havefound out over the years is that the petcockseems <strong>to</strong> be the weakest link in the fuel deliverychain. There may be owner/opera<strong>to</strong>r reasons,I’m sure, but many <strong>of</strong> us have experiencedthe same “hydrolock” disaster or, as inmy case, come close <strong>to</strong> it twice. All were associatedwith the internal failure <strong>of</strong> some naturein the petcock.In Dick’s situation, if he experienced the“hydro”, as he put it, he had best either replaceor rebuild the petcock or it will happenagain…and fairly soon. If the petcock failsinternally, it makes no difference if it’s shut <strong>of</strong>for not when the bike is parked, it will still passgas (pun intended). Regardless <strong>of</strong> whether ornot the engine is operating, it will allow fuel <strong>to</strong>leak down without benefit <strong>of</strong> the vacuumderived from the #6 cylinder.Along with all this should be a good flushing<strong>of</strong> the tank, filter screen, and the carbbowls. For the carb bowl draining, I use theMityvac individually on each carb. Afterattaching the tube <strong>to</strong> the drain port, I pump upa few lbs. <strong>of</strong> suction before opening the drainscrew. It creates enough disturbance with the“rush” caused by the suction that it will pullout debris otherwise left in by just allowinggravity <strong>to</strong> work.In my situation, the first close call I hadwith hydrolock I thought I smelled fuel whenI went out <strong>to</strong> the garage one morning. Ichecked and noted that the fuel control was“<strong>of</strong>f ” so figured I must have overfilled it thenight before...turns out I hadn’t, plus it wasn’tthat hot out there <strong>to</strong> cause expansion(in Fla.you need a/c in your garage if it’s your hangout).I pulled the plugs and the small front timingcover and turned the engine over by hand,fuel rolled out <strong>of</strong> one cylinder plus #6. It hadapparently also leaked down the vacuum line. Irebuilt the petcock with the Cover Set, and wasgood for about 15k miles. Then it happenedagain so I figured I’m done with vacuum actuatedpetcocks. I installed a manual Pingel controlwhich I discovered had a shorter feed tube,thereby lessening your reserve. I went <strong>to</strong> thelocal hobby shop and picked up some fuel lineand sweated on a piece long enough <strong>to</strong> equalthe OEM feed tube. I then installed an electricfuel valve and an inline filter, along with aquick disconnect <strong>to</strong> ease the tank removal. Theelec valve is activated when the key is on andoperates separate from the rest <strong>of</strong> the bike...justin case <strong>of</strong> other electrical trouble not associatedwith the valve so I can at least get home ifat all possible.If Dick isn’t a VRCC member, I would suggesthe take that step. It doesn’t cost anything<strong>to</strong> join and there is a <strong>to</strong>n <strong>of</strong> information andadvice on their Tech Board and in the ShopTalk section. I bought my Valkyrie nearly sixyears ago when my wife became disabled withParkinson’s disease <strong>to</strong> the point she could nolonger ride with me on our <strong>Wing</strong>. She insistedI continue doing what I enjoyed...riding, and ifI wanted a Valkyrie for myself I had her blessing.I watched and waited, then eventuallytraded for a ‘98 Black Tourer with less than10k miles on it. After having owned numerous<strong>Wing</strong>s; three GL1000’s, an 1100, a 1200, and a1500, I felt I wanted <strong>to</strong> stay with a known fac<strong>to</strong>rre. reliability and familiarity. Needless <strong>to</strong>say, it was a good decision. The Valk has alsobeen trouble free from the beginning. AlthoughI ride the Valkyrie and am more active with theVRCC membership, we still maintain ourGWRRA membership for the main reason wejoined at the beginning; the camaraderie. Wemade a lot <strong>of</strong> friends along the way and Iappreciate the insight given in<strong>to</strong> technical<strong>issue</strong>s such as with the Workbench since theengine is basically the same as the GL1500<strong>Wing</strong>.Thanks for your indulgence with thisrather lengthy piece.John SchmidtGWRRA #109887Winter Park, FloridaJohn, I appreciate your letter, and I’m sureDick and others will as well. Because theValkyrie has been out <strong>of</strong> production for severalyears, and because it sold in relatively smallnumbers, my direct exposure <strong>to</strong> it has beensomewhat limited. Owner websites are sometimesa haven for rumors, myths, and complaints.But there are also plenty <strong>of</strong> knowledgeablefolks around these sites <strong>to</strong> help in situationslike this. I’m having your letter reproducedin Workbench, because I feel it deserves<strong>to</strong> be seen by our Valkyrie-owning Members.Thanks again.Stu ●For over 68 YEARS generations <strong>of</strong>bike riders have made their way <strong>to</strong> theDay<strong>to</strong>na Beach area for this Granddaddy<strong>of</strong> all mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle festivals. Isn't ittime you made your way here <strong>to</strong>o?Be sure <strong>to</strong> be a part <strong>of</strong> this rich, his<strong>to</strong>ricfestival that kicks <strong>of</strong>f the riding seasonevery year. Enjoy the sights and sounds<strong>of</strong> 500,000 spectacular machines rovingin sync. See the best bike designs andartwork not <strong>to</strong> mention the exotic builderdemos hitting the marketplace in 2009.Its a great chance <strong>to</strong> break out <strong>of</strong> thecold, dark days <strong>of</strong> winter <strong>to</strong>o and headfor the warm Florida sunshine <strong>to</strong> thawout a bit. Need help finding a greatplace <strong>to</strong> stay or want <strong>to</strong> know moreabout all the events and activitiesplanned? Then be sure <strong>to</strong> visit us on lineon the all new www.BikerBeach.comweb site.Bike Week 2009The biggest, the best, the original.Be here!<strong>Wing</strong>To.BikerBeach.comCall Toll Free 866.257.1246E-mail info@BikerBeach.comArea Convention & Visi<strong>to</strong>rs BureauWay More Than a Beach.February 2009 45
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