I think I hydrolocked...

[Murrgh]

Sold my old Valkyrie, moved, and bought a new one. Ran it for a few days and didn't have any issues. Went out of town for a month and came back, rode her again with no issues.

Went out to my garage earlier today (after running her for ~50 miles yesterday) and tried to start, then the starter immediately stopped after bumping her with a strange noise. Tried to start again and she fired right up. Rode around for ~20 miles, got gas, stopped/started fine, and then parked in the garage.

Went to go for a night ride and the starter won't engage, there is just a hissing noise after the headlight shuts off. There is also a small gas drip coming between carbs 5/6, directly below the tank coming from a black tube that is bent at 90 degrees and attached to the frame. Cycled the fuel from on/off and the leak stopped.

The petcock isn't visibly leaking. I have to go to work in the morning and didn't have a chance to fiddle with anything. Thoughts? Ideas? I'll have to take off the chrome to get to the spark plugs to see if there is fuel in the cylinders...

(Also tested the battery, didn't solve anything).

Chris

[gordonv]

1st, when you press the starter and hear a "clunk", DON'T press it again.

Safest is roll it outside, remove the plugs, be clear around the bike in case fuel squirts out from the plug hole(s) [possible fire], and try the starter.

I suspect you broke teeth off the gears, and the starter is spinning, without connecting a tooth. Put the bike in gear, and bump the engine over a little, and try the starter again.

[DGS65]

Sounds like a bad petcock!  I had the same problem a while back.  Do not try to start it again you could cause damage!!!  You need to pull the plugs before you crank it over make sure you cover all of the cylinders unless you are outside will nothing else around you may blow a lot of gas all over the place ask me how I know.  You also need to check your oil, you may find it is full of gas.  Don't freak out you will have to drain the oil and replace the oil filter, if so buy the cheapest oil and filter you can find!  Once you correct the issue you will only run this oil for a few miles then change both the oil and filter again with good stuff.  You likely have a bad petcock if so don't waste your money on a cheap China model spend the money and buy a real Honda one.  I plan to replace mine again in the Spring with a real one I don't want to worry all the time the one I bought looks like the real one but is junk!
Good luck and let us know what you find.