For our bikes we can buy a:

- 1700 ignitor (ask for the part number if buying from e-bay)
- Dyna 3000
- RevMaster
- SpeedStar ignitor

Doc

The PO did mention the bike was running very rich for a period of time before the carb was tuned correctly. He said that he used to get popping noise between gear shifts, from the evidence it does seem that there are a lot of carbon build up. Can the valves be taken off and install without machine work? I mean what would be the best method to clean the valves?

Funny thing is I didn't really even know the model of my bike until today. I guess it is a Midnightstar? 1600 cc. The model number on the frame says 5MB5-010 I assume it is a XV1600ASN model? My VIN is JYAVP02Y11A001475 The serial number is showing up in the recall range, the dealer said there are no outstanding recall on the bike, should I trust their print out? Or is there a number I can call to find out if the recall on this bike has been done, and who did the work?

Ask the dealer who did the work...the recall was due to fourth gear when a circlip breaks and it can lock up the rear wheel...I know Yamaha doesn't want accidents because I would guess they would be liable? So their records should be accurate and I would think they could tell you when and who did it.

A valve job shouldn't be that much...a guess $100-150? You might as well replace the oil seals also. Heck the hardest work is pulling the heads off. All they have to do is take eight valves out, grind the valve and the seat and my guess is that there's not that much grinding to do because the motors go such low mileage??? UNLESS the previous owner did something to the motor that he didn't tell you about...which is a big possibility. Make sure the head mating surface is also flat...the machine shop can clean up the surface to confirm that its flat.

Do you have a copy of the factory manual? Theres a great section on the heads and the valves. I think I downloaded it from this site.

here's the number for Yamaha...they probably can look up you bike if the dealer can't
CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA

learning a lot here...

The pic sure did fool me on the bores...the flash???...I see the other pic of the cyl looked ok...

So bad valve seat...

If you want to remove the carbon deposits you can use carb cleaner or methylene chloride, Let them soak a while. For those stubborn areas you can use an aluminum brush.

Doc

I have used brass wool also, to clean them up on a few cars in the past. worked well..
I have a speed star ignitor, and I think I have floated the valves once, we won't talk about why..

well guys, this has certainly been educational....i really appreciate all the knowledge gathered in the fourm. you guys operate like a well tuned machine, and now we have another wrench-head. god knows I'm not.
Welcome to the forum tom....hope all gets sorted out and you get up and runnin soon.

cass wrote:
.... you guys operate like a well tuned machine ...

That's 'cause we keep the garage fridge well stocked with beer.

Doc

CASS...so now I being called a wrenchhead! I've been called a lot of other things Thanks for the welcome. Hey this is fun stuff and if it helps somebody I'm in.

Happy Fathers Day to all!

Gram, thank you for the shop referral. I dropped the head off at "No-pork" today in Norco, met all the guys at the shop, very nice people. Got the run down on the meaning of the shop name "No-pork", and saw the tatoo on Jim's arm. At first I thought these were bunch of cop hater renegades from the name. LOL!

Jim was a super nice guy, looking forward to get the head back in a couple of weeks and put everything back together. I guess I will still need to pay $70/week for gasoline in the mean time.

Will keep you guys posted.

Thanks