hesitating

[GL15Brewer]

So I am back to tinkering with the Valk after many other projects that I was told were more urgent. I took her for a spin and initially I thought it was just high RPM hesitation but after a ride around the city I noticed it's more of a lag if I pull hard on the throttle. If I go easy on the throttle I don't notice any delays at any RPM, but if i pull that throttle back all the way it "hesitates" before taking off. Could this be as easy as I'm to lean/heavy on my mix? kinda feels like it may be that, not enough fuel or to much when pulling to much on the throttle?
Thanks all

[Grandpot]

If it was running well before you put it away, I doubt if an adjustment will fix it.  The adjustment screws didn't move themselves out of adjustment just by sitting there.  Most likely you have some clogging in the carbs.  Run a couple of tanks of fresh gas with a high concentration of carb cleaner first.  If that doesn't work, it may be time to clean the carbs by taking them apart.

[GL15Brewer]

Lol probably should have mentioned I just rebuilt the carbs. planning on tuning them soon but after my quick ride today I'm not convinced that's my only issue.

[Grandpot]

Well, with the carbs freshly rebuilt, check for vacuum leaks.  There's a lot of places for that to happen.

Did you balance the carbs?

[GL15Brewer]

haven't balanced them yet. I replaced almost all the vacuum and fuel lines when I did the rebuild.

[Grandpot]

Hesitation upon acceleration is almost always carburation.  In particular, the Acceleration pump.  However, we do not have acceleration pumps on our carbs.  These carburetors regulate the air/fuel by adjusting the Mass.  This is similar to modern fuel injection systems, except it is done mechanically, instead of electronically.

Without being there, I still think there is a vacuum issue.  Check for a vacuum leak by using propane.  The nozzle on the torch will allow you to get into hard to reach places.  Confirm that all the lines are connected correctly.

When you rebuilt the carbs, did you replace the diaphragms?  

Have you done a desmog?

[GL15Brewer]

Check with propane? No idea how to do this. Yes diaphragms replaced with the rebuild. No have not desmogged. I did find a could of loose clamps on my intakes. Would that also cause issues vacuum wise?

[sandy]

Check with propane? No idea how to do this. Yes diaphragms replaced with the rebuild. No have not desmogged. I did find a could of loose clamps on my intakes. Would that also cause issues vacuum wise?

The propane trick is with a non lit torch aimed at possible leaks. If the RPMs raise, you found the leak. If you have a spark leak, things might get very exciting. Set the pilot screws to 2-2 1/2 turns out from lightly seated. Try it again.

[Jims99]

Check with propane? No idea how to do this. Yes diaphragms replaced with the rebuild. No have not desmogged. I did find a could of loose clamps on my intakes. Would that also cause issues vacuum wise?

loose clamps could definitely make a difference. Check all before and after carb. Also intake o-rings. Did you replace them? They can also be a problem.

[Grandpot]

Check with propane? No idea how to do this. Yes diaphragms replaced with the rebuild. No have not desmogged. I did find a could of loose clamps on my intakes. Would that also cause issues vacuum wise?

If you were not familiar with the Propane technique, I guess it really sounded strange. LOL.
Place the Unlit tip of the touch along all the vacuum lines with the Propane turned on. If there is a vacuum leak, the Propane will be sucked into the carb causing the RPM to change.

[GL15Brewer]

I ordered the intake o rings last night. I tightened the clamps on the intake lines. Also I think I am only turned out 1.75 on my pilot screw so Ill adjust that as well. I'll need to find my torch after I get all these replaced to give that a try. it is most definitely running better then before the carb rebuild. thanks again for all the help.

[GL15Brewer]

side thought? I do most of my riding at between 4500 and 8000 feet elevation. Am I still good to start with 2 turns out? I came up with the 1.75 from the clymer book I have and its recommendation per my altitude.

[Led]

Check with propane? No idea how to do this. Yes diaphragms replaced with the rebuild. No have not desmogged. I did find a could of loose clamps on my intakes. Would that also cause issues vacuum wise?

loose clamps could definitely make a difference. Check all before and after carb. Also intake o-rings. Did you replace them? They can also be a problem.

I agree.   The ONLY time I ever had my airbox and carb's off, was when I bought it brand new......for a "desmog".   

The bike started to "lope" at idle, but otherwise ran GREAT!   After a couple of years, I was bored and thought I would check all those clamps once again.   

WOW!!   Were some of them were pretty loose again!   I know I had tightened them all, but they may "settle" into place.....and need more tightening?

I don't "wrench down" on that sort of stuff to start.  Just snug it up.  And if things change?   Revisit all those clamps!!

Now it runs much better.....just by doing that?   These bikes are pretty sensitive to just the smallest of things!   Unlike the Bikes with just one or two carb's!

[Grandpot]

One last thing.  Do you have an Honda paper air filter or did you install a K&N Air filter?

[GL15Brewer]

Ok so all vac line plugs replaced, air intake o-rings replaced. I turned out to 2 turns on all pilot screws. Much better but still no cigar, i want to turn to 2.5 turns and I still need to sync the carbs. Today I just walked by the valk and was leaking gas from the overflow on the tank, Just filled and its hot. But as I was peaking at it there is a T fitting on the overflow hose. I don't remember disconnecting anything from this? is there a line I am not accounting for? Thanks for the help all.

[RonW]

the T is how it's suppose to be. I think the perpendicular leg of the T is left open for insurance. Against vapor lock. It lets the tank inhale air if the tubing gets obstructed or plugged. While liquid dumps to the ground.

[GL15Brewer]

Great thanks. So just put the pilots at 2.5 and decided to check the petcock. Swear I checked it when I did the carbs but got it off and it's leaking around the valve. Now I need to decide if I'm going to buy the rebuild or pony up the cash for an aftermarket. If I go aftermarket and block off the vac line is there any other things I need to know or should do before adding it?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ok so all vac line plugs replaced, air intake o-rings replaced. I turned out to 2 turns on all pilot screws. Much better but still no cigar, i want to turn to 2.5 turns and I still need to sync the carbs. Today I just walked by the valk and was leaking gas from the overflow on the tank, Just filled and its hot. But as I was peaking at it there is a T fitting on the overflow hose. I don't remember disconnecting anything from this? is there a line I am not accounting for? Thanks for the help all.

No, the open T is correct. It is there for an air break in case of rain. If you remove the T, riding in rain will get sucked up and create a vacuum lock. Having a full tank sitting in the sun is also normal to have overflow out of the vent line.

[Bighead]

My question is why havent you synced the carbs?

[GL15Brewer]

don't have a tool to sync them with yet. Been looking at all the posts making one at home but haven't purchased parts for that yet.

[Avanti]

don't have a tool to sync them with yet. Been looking at all the posts making one at home but haven't purchased parts for that yet.

If you give a location there might be someone in your area that can sync them for you.

[The emperor has no clothes]

don't have a tool to sync them with yet. Been looking at all the posts making one at home but haven't purchased parts for that yet.

Where are you at ? There may be someone near with a DigiSync. (Avanti beat me to it)


Edit: I forgot you told me before you were near Salt Lake. (You should put it in your heading for us senile dudes)

[GL15Brewer]

Lol I use to travel a lot for work, lived out a fifth wheel. I'll update, before I wasn't in one place for longer then about 3 months. Yep I'm near salt lake. Thought about just purchasing a sync but was gonna try the homebrewed method first. Now I am waiting for the petcock rebuild so tanks off and it's all sitting for a couple days. Back to riding the X for a but.

[Grandpot]

Here's a link to a six station manometer that I use.  Read all the replies first so you don't end up with a surprise at the end.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,53044.0.html

[DeathWishBikerDude]

Bad fuel..put some super shell in it and stay away from BP..

[GL15Brewer]

Update,
I have now rebuilt the petcock cover assembly, new fuel tank sieve. Put all back together and petcock is leaking around the switch. Used video by Tom Asay here; https://youtu.be/n4Ry8IFoNu8 to drill out the rivets and put 2 new o-rings in and used permatex fuel resistant gasket maker for the main seal on front. worked great for a couple of days, now leaking again. I believe I did not let the gasket maker set enough before putting the assembly back together. Going to retry that with a longer set time. Another finding while doing all this, I apparently left the front heat shield off when I put the carbs back in. 
Is this going to cause any sort of lasting damage? How urgently do I need to get it put back on? Thanks for all the assistance everyone. I believe she is almost ready to sync and get back to normal riding.