1998 Valkyrie/1500 stock. Owned since new. I run with high octane premium gas. The past two years my Honda has become more difficult to start. Cold weather stops it from starting at all. Took it to a dealer,spent $300.00, told I needed a choke cable. I repaired the cable, it started like new for a week and then back to the not wanting to start again. I'm getting spark.Looked at a couple of the plugs and they looked dry but I could smell gas after trying to start for 10 minutes. Lots of time and no money. Help !

SOURCE: 1998 honda shadow will not start

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Initially, a few possibilities you may want to check/explore:

• stale gasoline;
• clogged fuel filter (inside the tank above the fuel shutoff valve;
• clogged, bocked, varnished, gummed carbs, jets, air pin holes;
• stuffed air filter/box;
• vacuum leak (rubber coupling, manifold side);
• air leak (airbox base assembly seated/fitted on the carbs.

SOURCE: cbr 125 choke problem

It sounds like the choke line may not have been routed correctly when the new one was installed. Remove the gas tank and check to see that the line is not being stretched anywhere along the way AND that the gas tank when re-installed is not stretching the line. The line may have been kinked when installed. Look at the mechanical movement of the choke at the carb. Does it operate freely? Remove the air filter and look inside the center of the carb, (you may need to use a small mirror for this), does it look like the choke is opening and closing properly when the choke is moved on and off?

SOURCE: 98 Honda Valkyrie Tourer, engine stalls

Check vacuum line from #6 intake runner (port side rear cylinder) to the fuel petcock valve. The valve is vacuum operated for safety. It cuts off fuel to the carbs when the engine is shutdown. Hose could be cracked or diaphram in valve is cracked. Easy to inspect the valve.

SOURCE: Honda xr 200 will not spark/fire...

You broke the stator, inspect it for damage.

SOURCE: Valkyrie is difficult to start in cold weather

try using a lighter oil (5W-30, or 10W-30) if your not already using it.