Gas Leak

[TrapperAH1G]

Had a good ride yesterday, came home and parked the Valk in my shed.....all was right with the world.  Today, went in the shed and there was a strong gas odor and a puddle under the left side.  Wasn't sure how much had leaked as the floor is wood.  Moved her outside, opened the tank (filled a block from home) and the level was down maybe 1/2 an inch.  Got the flashlight and started searching.  No trace of gas on bottom of the engine so started on the left bank.  Didn't see anything 'til I got to #6 carb.  There was fuel at the top of the downtube and around the spring/cam on the left side of the carb.  Wiped all down and noticed the vacuum tube on the right side of the carb had split and was off.  Replaced the line, pulled the plugs on that side and hit the start switch.  Same amount of gas came out of all 3 holes. 

So, put it all back together, got dressed to ride and when I went hit the start this time, it sounded like it started to turn then "clunk".  Before I could catch myself I hit the starter again and got an immediate "clunk".  Kicking myself, I pulled the plugs again, hit the starter and she turned just fine, just a squirt of fuel from each cylinder.  Put the plugs in, started right up no problem.  Except, there was a pool of gas under the left muffler, like it had come out of the weep hole.

She's sitting there idling just fine, with a pool under her.  Shut it off, moved it again and let it sit for awhile.  30 minutes later, no gas on the ground, no gas on the carb,sarted fine and no gas out of the muffler.  Rode for 20 minutes and no problems.  Stopped, re-started several times.....all good.

Figure I'll order a new petcock just to be on the safe side.  Any ideas, comments, experiences like this?

Thanks

[Drtbik]

I had a puddle under the bike before I desmogged and rebuilt the carbs, went through everything very meticulously and put 'er back together.  I'm always worried I'll see another puddle when I go out there (seems she smells more like gasoline than my FI bikes do).  I'm curious to see if others have had this experience, I've only had my 'bee for 10 months or so.

[TrapperAH1G]

Got my Bee back in July last year.  No puddles or problems 'til now.

[Bighead]

I wouldn’t hit that starter button again until fixed you had a hydrolock and if you got out without damage you are lucky. Fix the problem before trying to start again.

[hubcapsc]

Any ideas, comments, experiences like this?

Take your petcock off and diagnose its problem. When you put the
new one on, it would be good to KNOW you have that problem fixed.

I fixed a Valkyrie that had a bad petcock and which leaked gas
down the #6 vacuum line and shot gas out the muffler and leaked
gas out of the weep hole with a "cover set" (OEM rebuild kit).

The former owner tried to fix it like this 



-Mike