Final Drive

Sounds like you just wore out a final drive. I don't know your driving style but most Valkyrie rigs handle a sidehack without drivetrain problems.

Lonnie

I do ride on the edge. Flying the car in every corner tweeks the frame. I bought a brand new final drive and have a used one sitting on the shelf. I figure several more years of fun.
Ride Safe
Rick

My Valkyrie carried a sidecar and a 200 plus pound passenger for the better part of it's life, in addition to pulling a Bunkhouse camper. I never had a problem. I would blame your problem on a flaw in the part.

The bit about not carrying a sidecar or trailer is just HMC protecting it's backside from somebody doing something stupid. In 2004, before I bought the Valkyrie, I contacted the Honda regional office and asked if the sidecar would affect my warranty. They said absolutely not.

The rear drive on Goldwings and Valkryies is the strongest part on the bike. It probably just wore out. Insiders call that part lovingly, "the pumpkin". I don't know what the market is on those now but a few years ago, in the middle of the Goldwing trike rage, you could get a spare pumpkin from a trike shop for as little as $40 and a rear wheel for $100.

It pays to change the oil every time you install a new tire. Also remove the pumpkin and drive shaft and use the Honda Moly shaft spline lube. That's what I did when I owned my Goldwing.

Ordinarily, the pumpkins will cause no trouble, but, sometimes they will wear out. The answer is to get a spare or two and forget about it. There's no one who rebuilds them since the gears and bearings inside that assembly would probably cost close to $500 if you purchased them separately.

Great news,
I just recently bought a trailer. I have a small trip planned to Nova Scotia this summer. Sort of a trail run to plot fuel milage. Then the big one to Fairbanks Alaska. The wife and I have been in the lower 46 already. That was in one trip. Got to get the trips in real soon. Old age is setting in. When I get real old I guess I will surrender to a Gold Wing. At that point I will wear a full helmet so I will be incognito. Of course the Wing is to keep the wife happy. The Valk. is here to stay.

Ride Safe

Rick

BIRDMAN - 1/18/2010 2:27 PM

Great news,
I just recently bought a trailer. I have a small trip planned to Nova Scotia this summer. Sort of a trail run to plot fuel milage. <SNIP>Ride Safe

Rick

Fuel Economy on a 6 carb Valkyrie pulling a sidecar and a trailer is reminiscent of the old saying, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it". 🙂

Under aggressive riding, there were times I made my Chevy Suburban look miserly. Under normal load I'd do around 25mpg.

SidecarMike - 1/18/2010 1:58 PM

BIRDMAN - 1/18/2010 2:27 PM

Great news,
I just recently bought a trailer. I have a small trip planned to Nova Scotia this summer. Sort of a trail run to plot fuel milage. Ride Safe

Rick

Fuel Economy on a 6 carb Valkyrie pulling a sidecar and a trailer is reminiscent of the old saying, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it".  🙂

 Under aggressive riding, there were times I made my Chevy Suburban look miserly.  Under normal load I'd do around 25mpg.

 

The Valkryies wre not noted for low fuel consumption. Most people I spoke to were getting 25 mpg driving them normally and solo. I suspect it was the six carburetors with their accelerator pumps.

My 1994 Goldwing SE often did 48-50 mpg on long trips. It was more economical than my Harley when ridden solo. The best I ever did on my Harley was 45 mpg. Most of the time it was in the low 40's. With the TLE sidecar, I get 35-38 mpg. That's the price you pay for all of the fun. LOL.

If I dropped the sidecar and left the trailer at home, I could see 40mpg, though 35 was more common. I do remember riding home, fully loaded, in a high wind and driving rain when I barely topped 9.