Bike is running rough

[DGS65]

So I went on vacation for a couple of weeks and then week and the weather go in the way of riding for a little over 3 weeks, I had started the bike a couple of times and it seemed to idle just fine.
Today I had some time so I went for a ride and clearly something is wrong it idles but it does have low RPM power it seems to bog and run rough but at higher RPMs it smooths out a bit.  I thought it might only be running of 5 cylinders but I pulled one plug at a time and you can clearly tell when it is missing. 
I plan to pull the tank and check the air cleaner but I was hoping for some other thoughts I might be overlooking.  The choke is clearly off in fact I never use it.  I have added seafoam hoping this might help in some way but I doubt it will. 
Last time I had trouble I had a bad petcock and hydro locked the motor but it has been running great ever since I replaced the petcock. 

[Bighead]

Low speed jets?

[Valkorado]

The man with the large cranium is probably spot on.  

Easier way to check if you're hitting on six is let 'er warm up a bit and CAREFULLY touch each header for about a millionth of a millisecond, as if it could burn the hell out of you (which it can).  It's usually pretty obvious if one or more is out of whack.  Last year I was able to actually grasp one exhaust header while I could have roasted marshmallows over the rest.  Tried the Chem-tool for a couple tanks to no avail, carbs had to be pulled and polished, and new low jets installed.

BTW, if you've hydrolocked before make sure the source of the lock is fixed.  Hydrolock usually requires a combination of failures happening at once, not just a bad petcock.  Once you're sure the causes are fixed, consider prevention like an electric fuel shutoff.

[DGS65]

Clearly it is running on all six there is a big difference if I pull any of the plugs!
I add the seafoam hoping that if it is a jet maybe this will clean it out.
As I have stated in the past the carbs were rebuilt maybe two months ago in CA before I had it shipped to NY.  The bike was running like a top when it got here until the petcock issue and it ran great again once that was replaced but today not so much.  I really hope this bike doesn't become a headache every few weeks or months because as much and I like it I don't have time or patients to deal with it.  If money was no issue I would buy a new Gold Wing but this is out of my reach at this time!  Maybe some day.

[Bighead]

Be patient. These beasts are very reliable. Find your problem and fix it. It will give you many years of enjoyment.  You say the carbs were rebuilt? By whom and did they know what they were doing?
My '97 has had zero issues since new. Hell it sat for a year one time(ashamed) and it started and ran fine. Guess I am lucky. Had to rebuild the forks once about three years ago. Other than that regular maintenance nothing else.

[97BLKVALK]

Regarding petcock.

Pull a vacuum with a mity vac and see if it holds vacuum over a 5 - 10 min period. 

Check your intake prints see if there is brownish stains where they meet the head.

Check the vacuum caps on back of intakes to make sure there are no leaks.

Has your Valk been de-smogged?

What grade of fuel?  Pure premium gasoline or ethanol blended?

Michael

[DGS65]

The shop that did the carbs is the best shop in the area and my former partner that gave me the bike swears by them!
The carb were all cleaned and all new rubber parts replaced.

As for desmoging I have never heard of this and not sure what this entails.

As for fuel the fuel is new but Ethanol blend is the only thing available in this area.  I do plan to travel for pure fuel before I store the bike for the winter.  The fuel hasn't had time to go bad since I have had the bike and again it was running perfect 3 weeks ago. 
Whatever is wrong it going to be a simple issue.  I will start the bike and spray either to check for vac leaks but I don't expect to find one this said it is worth a try.  I do know the vacuum is working the petcock and if I turn off the fuel it takes a while be it will run out and stall.

[Hook#3287]

Even the best mechanic can miss something and you can't be sure the dealer checked everything.

Recheck the intake caps and all the hoses related to the carbs.

I'd change to berrymans b-12 for gas treatment. Give it a couple of tanks to work.

3 weeks is all the time needed for gas to mess up the slow jets.

[SPOFF]

Thinking aloud here... Did our benevolent government change something in the ethanol formula  last year and not tell us? Every carburetor in my garage was fouled up after the 7-month New Hampshire winter. (The two fuel-injected engines were fine.) It's a major PITA to clean eight carburetors and my Valkyrie is still a HUGE pile of parts. Those same carburetors ignored the ethanol for the first 20 winters.  As it stands, if my KLR will be idle more than 48 hours the carb is drained. I'll probably do the same with the Valk.

[gordonv]

I'd change to berrymans b-12 for gas treatment. Give it a couple of tanks to work.

That is 1/2 can to 1/2 tank of fresh fuel. Drive in multiple rpm ranges. I suspect that 3 weeks of sitting couldn't have done this, and that the last was enough to start showing up.

[DGS65]

Not sure what you mean by the last was enough for it to start showing up?
The fuel in the tank is less then a month old I have only had the bike about two months and had the petcock issue about a week into having it.  The carbs were rebuilt a 3 weeks before I received the bike only days before it was shipped to NY.  This said the bike was running great both when I got it and after I replaced the petcock.  I started the bike today in the garage and it sounded a little better but I really need to ride it to tell if it has power.  Due to the heavy rain today riding was not an option!  Tomorrow should be a nice day I'm hoping if I get it on the road it will blow out whatever it clogging one or more of the carbs.  If riding it doesn't clear it up I will pull the tank and check the air box,  I really hoping I don't have to pull the carbs that looks like a major PITA and would require more time then I have right now!

[Hook#3287]

I'd change to berrymans b-12 for gas treatment. Give it a couple of tanks to work.

That is 1/2 can to 1/2 tank of fresh fuel. Drive in multiple rpm ranges. I suspect that 3 weeks of sitting couldn't have done this, and that the last was enough to start showing up.

I don't claim to understand how long it takes for gas to foul the 35 slow jets, but I know mine did it with fresh gas in under 3 weeks.  That was about 12 years ago.  I swapped the 35's to 38's and never has it happened again.

[Hooter]

Hooks right....before you condemn the bike start simple. Ethanol draws moisture in no time. Pull the current fuel out, and if you have it in the area put full tank of non ethanol in it with 1/2 can of Berrymans. Ride it until tank is about empty and do it over. If no non ethanol just do the same with fresh gas. The worst thing for these bike is to let them set for any period of time without treating the fuel. Clean with Berrymans, store with Sea Foam has worked for me, never an issue. Any time you use these 2, use some, at least a half can per dose.

[DGS65]

I just took the bike out for a ride and it ran perfectly like it did when I got it? They only thing I have done it
1. Added seafoam.
2. Ran it dry the opened the petcock again and let it idle for a while.

[gordonv]

Not sure what you mean by the last was enough for it to start showing up?

I don't feel that 3 weeks is enough time for new fuel to foul, contrary to what others said after, and cause enough of an issue that you would notice it. I think that the jets are already slightly clogged, and that a little more made the issue start to show. Also why a little Seafoam made it go away so quickly (my bike didn't clear up with Seafoam).

My bike sits for weeks at a time, and the fuel can also be over a month old (during the summer). All our fuel here has ethanol in it, I've never looked for non-ethanol fuel, even when it came time for storage.

Put it away in the winter with the recommended Marine Stabil and a full tank. Take it out next spring with a fully charged battery, and drive it till the tank is empty. Fill with the usual regular gas and add 1/2 can of B-12. Not since my 1st Valk in 2010 did I have any kind of carb issue, which did clear up after using heavy doses of carb cleaner.

[Valkorado]

I just took the bike out for a ride and it ran perfectly like it did when I got it? They only thing I have done it
1. Added seafoam.
2. Ran it dry the opened the petcock again and let it idle for a while.

Glad you got 'er back, Chem-Tooling (sometimes) works!  We have a pure gas station here, but I use Star-Tron in every other tank when forced to resort to corn juice.  As said, Marine Sta-bil for the winter hibernation.

[DGS65]

I put 30+ miles on the bike yesterday wife my wife on the back and it ran great!
I hope to put a few more on today alone I like the way it handles better solo.
Not sure where I will head but I have time and weather is great the tank is more or less full so I will see where I end up

[9Ball]

I’m just buttoning up my ‘99 after rebuilding the carbs and going through every system.  The bike has been sitting up on a lift under cover since May, 2010 when I had major back surgery (fusion, rods&screws, bone grafts).  When the bike was put up it was starting to exhibit the dreaded clogged jets syndrome that you experienced.

When you said “rebuild” does that mean cleaned jets or new jets?  I’ve been through 4 carb cleanings with two of my buddies and now two on my bike.  None of us have had any luck with the chemical additives nor with just cleaning the jets.  It seems that installing brand new jets has been the most reliable and long lasting.  For those that have had luck with the additives fixing the problem I give my congratulations.

I separated all the carbs from the rails and not only cleaned my carb bodies, but also replaced every o-ring, rubber plug, and tubing including those found in the air cut valves.  This is something I haven’t done before but the redeyetech kit stepped me through the air cut valve refurbish and function testing.  Separating the carbs from each other was scary at first.

Congrats on your fix.  The gas we’re getting is really raising hell with our carburetors and I’m not sure how long it will be before going through this PITA cleaning again.

What’s the consensus on layup between rides...run the carbs dry, drain them, or just keep additives like Seafoam in our tanks?

[Valkorado]

What’s the consensus on layup between rides...run the carbs dry, drain them, or just keep additives like Seafoam in our tanks?

Seafoam and Berrymans B12 are cleaners, and leaving strong concentrations of either in the system for long periods of time isn't good on the rubber.  Star-Tron and Marine Sta-Bil are ethanol killers and are designed for storage.

While some drain the carbs, I don't like the idea of drying out the rings and gaskets over 5-6 month winters.  I just run a mixture of Star-Tron and Sta-Bil through the carbs and shutoff the petcock.

[Hook#3287]

Most everyone has their own opinions and procedures for avoiding slow jet blockage.

What worked for me is swapping the 35's for 38's.  That's it.  Well, that and Marine Sta-Bil for winter storage.

I have 4 Valks, so it's common that one will sit for a month or so.  They all start right up and run awesome.

I tried the jet cleaning the first (and only) time I had jet blockage and got more practice at removing the carbs, cause it didn't work.  That was before those ultrasonic cleaners became an item.

But, new jets probably cost less than a ultrasonic cleaner and my goal is to avoid carb maintenance.

So far, so good.  12 years later.

[9Ball]

Do you dose the marine Stabil according to instructions or do you increase the amount added to the gas?  Do you use regular grade or ultra (or equivalent) such as 93 octane high test.

There aren’t many stations near me that carry gas without ethanol, the closest being near Atco drag strip. It’s a good hour away.

I went about ten years without any issues.  Used to just top off the tank with 1/2 bottle of Seafoam, then shut off the “pet clock” and run the bike until it stalled.  These last 9 years have been the problem and I’m guessing that the additive packages must have changed.  Probably environmental or pollution control regulations gone wild without any consideration of the negative effects on the end users.

Thanks for your insights...

Most everyone has their own opinions and procedures for avoiding slow jet blockage.

What worked for me is swapping the 35's for 38's.  That's it.  Well, that and Marine Sta-Bil for winter storage.

I have 4 Valks, so it's common that one will sit for a month or so.  They all start right up and run awesome.

I tried the jet cleaning the first (and only) time I had jet blockage and got more practice at removing the carbs, cause it didn't work.  That was before those ultrasonic cleaners became an item.

But, new jets probably cost less than a ultrasonic cleaner and my goal is to avoid carb maintenance.

So far, so good.  12 years later.

[Hook#3287]

Do you dose the marine Stabil according to instructions or do you increase the amount added to the gas?  Do you use regular grade or ultra (or equivalent) such as 93 octane high test.

There aren’t many stations near me that carry gas without ethanol, the closest being near Atco drag strip. It’s a good hour away.

I went about ten years without any issues.  Used to just top off the tank with 1/2 bottle of Seafoam, then shut off the “pet clock” and run the bike until it stalled.  These last 9 years have been the problem and I’m guessing that the additive packages must have changed.  Probably environmental or pollution control regulations gone wild without any consideration of the negative effects on the end users.

Thanks for your insights...

Most everyone has their own opinions and procedures for avoiding slow jet blockage.

What worked for me is swapping the 35's for 38's.  That's it.  Well, that and Marine Sta-Bil for winter storage.

I have 4 Valks, so it's common that one will sit for a month or so.  They all start right up and run awesome.

I tried the jet cleaning the first (and only) time I had jet blockage and got more practice at removing the carbs, cause it didn't work.  That was before those ultrasonic cleaners became an item.

But, new jets probably cost less than a ultrasonic cleaner and my goal is to avoid carb maintenance.

So far, so good.  12 years later.

I follow the instructions on the bottle mostly, maybe a little extra.

I burn 87 w/mandatory 10% corn crap cause there's no real gas in my nanny state close by.

I'm not against adding some additives, just haven't needed any and I've had more than one spill in my bags from caps that came loose.

I am experimenting with 1oz of 2stroke oil per 5 gallons of gas on one bike, just because.

I bought a bunch of 1oz bottles and a liquid tight fishing fly container to hold them.

Working good.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Do you dose the marine Stabil according to instructions or do you increase the amount added to the gas?  Do you use regular grade or ultra (or equivalent) such as 93 octane high test.

There aren’t many stations near me that carry gas without ethanol, the closest being near Atco drag strip. It’s a good hour away.

I went about ten years without any issues.  Used to just top off the tank with 1/2 bottle of Seafoam, then shut off the “pet clock” and run the bike until it stalled.  These last 9 years have been the problem and I’m guessing that the additive packages must have changed.  Probably environmental or pollution control regulations gone wild without any consideration of the negative effects on the end users.

Thanks for your insights...

Most everyone has their own opinions and procedures for avoiding slow jet blockage.

What worked for me is swapping the 35's for 38's.  That's it.  Well, that and Marine Sta-Bil for winter storage.

I have 4 Valks, so it's common that one will sit for a month or so.  They all start right up and run awesome.

I tried the jet cleaning the first (and only) time I had jet blockage and got more practice at removing the carbs, cause it didn't work.  That was before those ultrasonic cleaners became an item.

But, new jets probably cost less than a ultrasonic cleaner and my goal is to avoid carb maintenance.

So far, so good.  12 years later.

I follow the instructions on the bottle mostly, maybe a little extra.

I burn 87 w/mandatory 10% corn crap cause there's no real gas in my nanny state close by.

I'm not against adding some additives, just haven't needed any and I've had more than one spill in my bags from caps that came loose.

I am experimenting with 1oz of 2stroke oil per 5 gallons of gas on one bike, just because.

I bought a bunch of 1oz bottles and a liquid tight fishing fly container to hold them.

Working good.

Bill, what is the idea with adding a little 2 stroke oil ? To make up for no lead in our gas ?

[Jess from VA]

2-stroke oil (or really, a little bit of any oil) can also be a gas stabilizer, just not as good as Marine Stabil (and now Stabil has an even newer Stabil 360, which includes ethanol treatment in it).  BUT, that oil will always causes your MPG to drop.  Who cares?

I follow the directions on quantities of Stabil and Startron/Lucas (if I am stuck using corn gas) (maybe erring a small bit to overdose), but I always am very liberal with Seafoam, B12 or Chevron Techron (glug, glug, glug... OK, that's about right).  Especially in my mower, chipper, blower, pressure washer, whacker, hedge trimmer, etc)

[Ramie]

What’s the consensus on layup between rides...run the carbs dry, drain them, or just keep additives like Seafoam in our tanks?

Seafoam and Berrymans B12 are cleaners, and leaving strong concentrations of either in the system for long periods of time isn't good on the rubber.  Star-Tron and Marine Sta-Bil are ethanol killers and are designed for storage.

While some drain the carbs, I don't like the idea of drying out the rings and gaskets over 5-6 month winters.  I just run a mixture of Star-Tron and Sta-Bil through the carbs and shutoff the petcock.

Seafoam won't hurt the rubber but then it won't clean as well as B12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsHndfDy2k8

[Hook#3287]

Do you dose the marine Stabil according to instructions or do you increase the amount added to the gas?  Do you use regular grade or ultra (or equivalent) such as 93 octane high test.

There aren’t many stations near me that carry gas without ethanol, the closest being near Atco drag strip. It’s a good hour away.

I went about ten years without any issues.  Used to just top off the tank with 1/2 bottle of Seafoam, then shut off the “pet clock” and run the bike until it stalled.  These last 9 years have been the problem and I’m guessing that the additive packages must have changed.  Probably environmental or pollution control regulations gone wild without any consideration of the negative effects on the end users.

Thanks for your insights...

Most everyone has their own opinions and procedures for avoiding slow jet blockage.

What worked for me is swapping the 35's for 38's.  That's it.  Well, that and Marine Sta-Bil for winter storage.

I have 4 Valks, so it's common that one will sit for a month or so.  They all start right up and run awesome.

I tried the jet cleaning the first (and only) time I had jet blockage and got more practice at removing the carbs, cause it didn't work.  That was before those ultrasonic cleaners became an item.

But, new jets probably cost less than a ultrasonic cleaner and my goal is to avoid carb maintenance.

So far, so good.  12 years later.

I follow the instructions on the bottle mostly, maybe a little extra.

I burn 87 w/mandatory 10% corn crap cause there's no real gas in my nanny state close by.

I'm not against adding some additives, just haven't needed any and I've had more than one spill in my bags from caps that came loose.

I am experimenting with 1oz of 2stroke oil per 5 gallons of gas on one bike, just because.

I bought a bunch of 1oz bottles and a liquid tight fishing fly container to hold them.

Working good.

Bill, what is the idea with adding a little 2 stroke oil ? To make up for no lead in our gas ?

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,98835.0.html

Rob, this post got me going on this.

What I liked was the cost of 2 stroke oil compared to b-12 or Seafoam.  Not that I worry about how much my bikes cost me, just hate throwing $$ away.

[DGS65]

I'm happy to say the bike is still running great unfortunately the weather hasn't been as good!
I have put about 100 miles on it since the last issue and I feel confident everything is good.
I find it interesting that people add oil to their fuel with the hopes it is doing something.
I used to use additives in my boats for the winter and never had an issue in the spring then one year my mechanic told me I was wasting my money so I stopped using them guess what I still had not issues!
Failure to have an issue doesn't mean that something is working but who knows.
I recall there was once a rather long thread on a boating forum that has since closed but someone challenged Stabil to prove there claims and frankly I don't think they ever could but this was several years ago and my memory of the facts are not 100% but I stopped using it none the less.
I have heard good things about Seafoam at least as a cleaner not saying it would help maintain the fuel at all.
I plan to buy pure gas when the season ends and this is what I will store the bike will for the winter.