starter problem

[stoland]

Starter makes a load clunk (like the gear is engaging) when I hit the button, but the starter doesn't turn engine. Was running fine at last turn off. Is this bad starter or something else? Can I jump the starter motor, if so what contacts do I jumper across? This is a 1999 1500.

[virgilmobile]

A clunk...Don't jump the relay posts.Theres 2 of them.
I'd first suspect hydrolock.
First pull all 6 spark plugs...center stand the bike...5th gear and rotate the tire (very difficult) to turn the engine over.
If your daring..you can pull all the plugs and bump the starter but be aware that if it shoots raw gas from a cylinder and there's spark you have a instant flame thrower.
It's best to see if the engine is free to turn over before tearing into the starter.
Be safe...There may be gas in there.

[stoland]

I understand to first see if engine will turn over manually. I will try this. Thanks.
Ok, removed plugs. Engine turns over manually. Got some gas to come out of spark plug hole, but engine does turn. What now?

[1goldwingnut]

Take the bike oitside. Turn the kill switch off and try the starter with the plugs out.

[virgilmobile]

Spark spark spark...boom..
I don't think you can crank the bike with the kill switch off.

[stoland]

Ok, took the bike outside and tried to start with plugs out. Starter spun the engine. Put plugs back in and bike started.
So, what happened? Did i have a hydrolock and somehow cleared it? Could i now have a broken tooth on the starter gear?

[virgilmobile]

It only takes a couple of tablespoons of gas in a cylinder to hydrolock it.Gas does not compress.You cleared the raw gas out correctly.
Now the bike is back to running.
This does not fix the problem and it might happen again.
Things to consider.
One carb leaked fuel out and into that cylinder...Why.?
Excessive tank pressure from a clogged gas cap?
Fuel shutoff valve not shutting off completely?
Sticking float?
Sticking needle valve?
Or all of the above.
Time to get to the root cause.

[stoland]

Thanks for the info. I will check into the issue. When i removed the plugs i noted one plug looked wet from gas. Thats probably the culprit. The petcock was left in the on position, maybe that was issue.
I appreciate all your help

[virgilmobile]

The petcock is suppose to be automatic.Its vacuum operated.

[1goldwingnut]

Check the fuel shutoff and gas cap first. That's the easiest. If you eliminate other problems. The side with the wet plug is the carb to take apart. Before you open the carbs try several doses of seafoam or marvel mystery oil in the gas.

[DenverWinger]

Remember this is a Valkyrie, 6 carbs, OP indicated forgetting to shut off the fuel, this indicates a manual petcock instead of vacuum operated. Likely had some crud stuck in a float needle valve.

Might try starting the bike with the fuel "Off" and run the carbs out of gas, this drops the floats to bottom of travel and opens fuel needles wide. Turn fuel back on and start the engine, the inrush of fuel to the empty carbs may wash out whatever was stuck in the suspect carb's needle valve.