1998 Honda Valkyrie- Clutch Fluid Change, Shifter Buddy Installation, Final Test Rides. 

Thanks Steve. It’s all in fun! Glad you be enjoyed it. My project is on hold as I’m hoping to move it to a larger shop. I should know soon if it’s going to happen. Warmest regards!

Thanks Bryan. Yes, I figured that was its purpose. I appreciate it! By the way, I began the tear down last evening. Videos to follow. Stay tuned.

Yep, That's my assessment as well. Time to get down to it!

Hi Richjard, Great to hear from you. The next video is being edited. That's the tear down of the bike. I hope to have it up this next week. I think it will be at minimum, a 2 video series. This is a big somewhat complicated motorcycle. Lots to get apart there. It is proceeding well and I'm taking my time to be sure all the parts get properly bagged and documented. I'm close to getting the engine out so far. I'm putting in a few hours every day. Thanks for the comments! Stay tuned. This bike is getting a makeover!

Hi Todd, Thanks for checking in. Ya, these bikes ride really good for their size. I was amazed. I may have made more of this issue than I should have. I have had an other Valkyrie owner ride it and he felt it was better than his bike. I don't know. I really hate to tear all the way into the cases on a motor that runs so well, but on the other hand, when the motor is out, that's time time to go in for a look. I really appreciate your checking in and I have to agree, these are really unique older bikes. Enjoy and safe rides. Craig

Yes it sure is something. I just which I knew what. But I intend to look at the clutch first and foremost on my way inside. I suspect it is not normal. But the consistency of the grind makes me think there is a gear or shift fork issue directly. I appreciate the comment for sure. Stay tuned as it will all be documented in upcoming videos! I love Tennessee by. the way. My wife and I spent some time in Chattanooga earlier this spring. Beautiful state. Great people.

Hi Derek. You watched the whole video? I address and correctly reinstall the Shifter Buddy Knock Off towards the end of the video. I knew it was wrong during the first test ride after installation as I couldn't shift beyond 2nd gear. It's interesting that people keep telling me that it's wrong even when later in the video I re-install it correctly. I somehow think most of them are just scanning the first part of the video rather than watching it all the way through. I'm also on the Valkyrie rider forum and those guys are watching and commenting back over there. Here is the link www.valkyrieriders.com/ Thanks for commenting though.... Yes the pivot on initial install the pivot hinge was flipped 180 off. There were zero instructions. It just had Chinese writing all over the package. The pivot hinge points forward, not backwards like I first installed it. The last test ride on the video is with the correct installation... it didn't make any difference in the hard 1-2 shift. I believe the grind is internal at the forks and dogs. The bike is getting a full teardown and restoration soon. Everyone thinks it's me and my shifting. LOL. One guy even said the problem was my boot is too squishy. LOL I take from that, these transmissions are bullet proof and to the issue I'm seeing is a rare bird. Leave it to me to find the one bike with a failed transmission!!!

@@usethenoodle apologies I did not. So if it’s still grinding, the forks are most likely bent, probably because the shaft was loose and required more and more force to change gears. Gradually it started grinding. I didn’t see anything wrong with your shifting, not sure why would anyone blame this for grinding in a constant mesh tranny. I’ve been able to do smooth clutch-less upshifts and downshifts on all of my bikes, no grinding ever. I use the clutch all the time, but it’s my sort of test for a good working tranny, my valk is no different and once yours is fixed, it will be the same.

@@derekshlutz7248 Hey thanks Derek. Yes, I totally agree with your diagnosis. I’m pretty sure it’s a fork issue. These forums are sometimes rife with off handed comments. I’ve belonged to several over the years and you can often take what you read with a grain of salt. There’s always that one guy who thinks he knows everything at the expert level and the pronouncements of how you are the problem and find fault in everything you say and do, and they come, out on every thread you start. Often they add nothing to the discussion but brash condemnations. I’m used to it. I just laugh them off. Anyway, I appreciate the help.

Hi. Mine is in the process of being torn down. Then I bought a house in the country with a proper shop. But I’m finishing the shop. Probably be ready to get back to work on the Valkyrie by next spring and doing videos on it. The shop was 1/2 finished inside. It’s coming along nicely. Thanks for watching and commenting. I’ll be back on the channel soon. Regards, Craig

Yep, I agree. Well I had never heard of Shifter Buddy at all until a month or so ago. Then it came covered in Chinese writing, sans instructions as it seems a lot of the Chinese stuff does now. I wasn't aware that there was an "Original" Or... had I been, I would have certainly sought it out. Frankly, I should have scoured RU-vid and other online sources better and paid more attention to the installation process and I could have avoided my mistake. I could have edited it out but I told myself in this series, I'm going to show it all. Even if it makes me look like a rube. And it did! Hey, thanks for commenting, I really appreciate it. If you have any other insight, good or bad... please let me know. This Valkyrie project of mine is all new to me.

Good question. The odometer says 16.... thats all I know. Caution to the wind Brother! It's getting a total do over so... it's going to be pretty new anyway. By the way... this project is on hold as I am in the middle of purchasing a new home with a proper new shop so the bike is over there now (about 30 miles away) and I am in the process of moving. You know how that goes I'm sure. It's going to be several months before I get that shop set up and can begin working on the Valk again and making videos. For now I have 1,000,001 things to get done. Hey, thanks for checking in. The new shop is going to be a life dream achieved.

Hi! Thanks for the tip. The symptoms in the video were a bit different from my 1-2 shift issue. I have not had the pressure build up or the clutch degrading like he described. Just what I felt was a rough 1-2.shift. I had another Valkyrie guy ride it. He thought it shifted better than his. I thought his was better than mine. Funny. Well anyway, I may still look inside when I have the engine out on the bench this winter. Thanks for reaching out. That was good of you.

Hi Gary. On the fuel mileage issue I have a few ideas. I would look at the air filter under the gas tank. I have a video on that. Then I would think about spark plugs. Also, maybe clean and synchronize your carbs. That's a big job I know. Getting the carbs off is no small potato. I agree, the tires on these big bikes should be balanced. I tried the beads in my Victory Vegas when I did the tires. I went back to balancing using the adhesive weights. Most shops can balance them for you. I'd try that first for the vibration issue. I think if that doesn't solve it, you may want to investigate wheel bearings for side thrust. Further, check your drive shaft for universal joint wear. Just about anything drive train can cause vibration as it wears out. I'm going over all this stuff in my future videos, but that could take some time. So far I found an old coolant leak no longer leaking on my thermostat housing behind the radiator. I was missing one copper crush gasket on my #2 cylinder exhaust header. An exhaust leak from that missing exhaust gasket could explain the extra popping on deceleration I was having on that bank. Also evidence of a fairly large oil leak lower on the motor. Not sure of the actual source yet. I think it's coming from between the main cases. I have begun the complete disassembly of my Valkyrie. I'm almost to the point of getting the engine out. I'm going slow and taking my time. I am taking video and photos so I get it back together with a minimum of fumbling I hope. I have the files on the editor and I hope to have the first video of disassembly up on my channel this coming week. I'm thinking it will take two videos. Then I'll be rebuilding master cylinders, calipers, polishing, cleaning, inspecting, vapor honing all the parts. I'll also be getting the tins and frame off to paint and some of the chrome parts in for re-chroming. I have a ton of new parts to go back on as well as some nice mods. Let me know how your issues work out. These are great bikes. I appreciate you taking time to comment! Please check back as new videos on the Valkyrie will be coming up soon.

@@usethenoodle Wow, I don't look at youtube much anymore, but I need to add clutch fluid and wasn't sure what to use, so did a search. Here I am right back where I started. You have good videos. I saw on your vid, right on the reservoir cover it says Dot 4, and you mentioned it too. Sure enough, it says the same on my cover, I just didn't look. Also didn't know that the bleed valve was where it is. I saw it there, but didn't know what it was for. I'm going to go ahead and flush out the system, but I'll just use the clutch lever I guess. The vibration at 35 mph went away shortly afterwards. They probably put balance beads in the tire at the shop instead of doing a good job of balancing with weights. I still get the crappy milage. I have a fairly clean air filter, and plugs look good. I'm not sure I want to tackle the carbs though. I'm just about to the point where I'm going to have to learn about this. I see you're in Washington near the I-5 corridor, not far from me (Salem area). Thanks, I'll check out some more of your work.

@@gary8899 Awesome! I'm glad to help you however I can. I appreciate your comment and your kind words. Warmest Regards, Craig

Don't watch then. Problem solved. Or, make your own content.

Gosh Rick, I'm so, so sorry to disappoint you. Did I make you watch it? I guess I thought opening the bleeder with it under suction and keeping the reservoir full until clear fluid came out the other end was intuitive enough. But apparently some people, in your case need to be spoon fed every small detail. Maybe you should make your own videos if you think you can do better. I see you have no self produced content on your channel. Yet here you are bitching. That figures. Give it a shot. It's free. Or perhaps you prefer to just be a troll and complain.

Troll with ska man hat, witch suggests scooter rider, but prob not able to.....