Sounds like the petcock again

[shadowmagic]

Bike wont start again, as usual i'm guessing its the petcock. Does anyone have a solution to the petcocks going bad every 3 or 4 hundered miles? That seems to be about when mine go bad. Is there another option so I can fix it and not have to worry about it again? Any help greatly appreciated.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If it truly is going bad every 3 or 4 hundred miles, I suspect you might be damaging the cover set when rebuilding it. I’ve got a little over 100k total on 2 bikes with only one rebuild. It is a tedious job putting it together without damaging parts.

But if you think that’s not the case, many go to a non vacuum petcock Pingel petcock.

[Chrisj CMA]

Just get rid of that thing. Get a non vacuum Pingel, train yourself to turn it off and the next time your bike won’t start, it WONT be the petcock. The OEM petcock is the worst part of a Valkyrie

[shadowmagic]

I dont rebuild them, I buy them new. They always go bad. I'm not entirely sure its the petcock, but its happened enough that I believe its happening again. I will likely look into the other petcock, can you post a link please?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I dont rebuild them, I buy them new. They always go bad. I'm not entirely sure its the petcock, but its happened enough that I believe its happening again. I will likely look into the other petcock, can you post a link please?

Have you checked to see if it’s flowing gas ? You can remove the fuel line, then remove the vacuum line, pull a little vacuum on it (with the petcock turned on). If fuel is flowing, something else is going on. Have you replaced the vacuum line ? No matter how good the petcock is, if the vacuum line is bad or not hooked up completely, no fuel will flow.

[shadowmagic]

I've stopped checking all those things, experience has taught me that its likely the petcock. I always do the checks but everything is always good, I'm sure its the petcock. Thank you for the suggestion.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've stopped checking all those things, experience has taught me that its likely the petcock. I always do the checks but everything is always good, I'm sure its the petcock. Thank you for the suggestion.

You are welcome. Just trying to save you some money and time.

[Chrisj CMA]

I dont rebuild them, I buy them new. They always go bad. I'm not entirely sure its the petcock, but its happened enough that I believe its happening again. I will likely look into the other petcock, can you post a link please?

It’s the Pingel 1311 either polished aluminum or chrome finish. Around $140 now

[Pluggy]

Hello, Shadowmagic.  Where are you getting those petcocks?  OEM replacement from Honda?  A $14 eBay item?  These might look alike, but it is what's inside that counts.

[Steel cowboy]

I replaced my petcock with a non vacuumed honda model Petcock made for Honda 95-98 CBR600F3, CBR600, CBR600SE. I’ve had it on for over a year now with no issues. It is a direct fit replacement with the exemption of no vacuum needed. You will have to turn it on and off manually, but the stock chrome, on and off lever on the bike will work with it. Plus you get rid of one more vacuum line.
The Pingel petcock is good too, but you loose the use of the stock chrome lever on the bike for ON, OFF, RESERVE.

[Jims99]

I would also check the fuel line. It should be as short as possible, no dips in the line. If there is, they can get air trapped in line and slow or stop flow. Doesn’t take much to happen.

[h13man]

Pingle on mine with no issues. You have to remember to shut off regardless which manual setup you use. The CBR replacement allows you the to maintain the stock look. I made a a cover for my rear motor bracket to look nicer using a Pingle. This has been an issue since the Valk has been made. I bought mine in 13' and the original owner had done this already.

[hubcapsc]

My OEM works great and has no issues. I never turn it off, just to reserve
on the occasions it is needed.

I rebuilt it in 2006 and again in 2019, just for peace of mind. I've seen them
that were improperly rebuilt, but that's not Shadowmagic's problem since
he gets new ones.

I too wonder if his new ones are OEM...

-Mike

[shadowmagic]

I believe the petcocks I've ordered are OEM. I recall they costed me between 40 and 50 dollars. So with the non vacuum petcock what happens if you forget to turn off the fuel?

[hubcapsc]

I believe the petcocks I've ordered are OEM. I recall they costed me between 40 and 50 dollars. So with the non vacuum petcock what happens if you forget to turn off the fuel?

OEM ones cost about $130 every place I've ever looked.
EDIT: I just checked partzilla... $168...

On (all?) non vacuum ones, if you forget to turn it off, you are
depending upon your float valves to keep gas out of your
top ends...

-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

I believe the petcocks I've ordered are OEM. I recall they costed me between 40 and 50 dollars. So with the non vacuum petcock what happens if you forget to turn off the fuel?

New OEM costs over $100. You’ve been using cheap China imitations. Actual OEM is better but not by much. They still are a chronic problem. If your carburetors are sound. No failing float valves, nothing will happen if you forget. If you have one or more bad floats/valves you can get a hydrolock. There is not a Valkyrie on the planet that cannot hydrolock. Just don’t forget. Like what if you forget to pull the clutch when you stop while in gear.

[hubcapsc]

Actual OEM is better but not by much.

This is a myth, of course. The guy who replaced my timing belts
recently also believes in the necessity of electronic fuel shutoffs.

There's a lot of stuff (like: YOU MUST DESMOG!) that people believe
that is based on "want" and not "need"...

-Mike "says me..."

[-mike-]

Install new OEM petcock or rebuild the old one. Install vacuum snubber and be done.

You'll keep the vacuum shutoff security, OEM chrome knob, the decorative plate and won't need to grow another joint  you'd need to safely operate the pingle while seated.

The snubber eliminates the vacuum pulses and the stock petcock will last as long as any non vacuum option.

Has been done for decades and still works.

Merry pingelingeling Xmas!

-mike

[JimC]

I replaced mine with the Honda 95-98 CBR600F3, CBR600, CBR600SE unit.
I ALSO put in an electric shut off. A plus is that it is a whole lot cheaper than the vacuum model

I do not have to shut off if I don't want to, I have eliminated the vacuum line and kept the original shut off knob, been a couple years now and I never even think about it.

Jim

[Challenger]

170,000 miles on my Std with the original petcock, rebuilt once in 2010. If I was to replace it, I would use the CBR600 non vac and still use original control knob. Something is drastically amiss if you are experiencing that many failures. Hope you get it figured out.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you are paying $40 it’s quite apparent (to me, at least) that you’ve been getting one of those cheap eBay (Chinese) knockoffs. I also bought one years ago, intending it as a backup if needed. I took it apart and inspected it. They are terrible. I’m actually surprised you got 400 miles out of one.

[Chrisj CMA]

Actual OEM is better but not by much.

This is a myth, of course. The guy who replaced my timing belts
recently also believes in the necessity of electronic fuel shutoffs.

There's a lot of stuff (like: YOU MUST DESMOG!) that people believe
that is based on "want" and not "need"...

-Mike "says me..."

Call it a myth. That’s fine. I work on several Valkyries and have for years. Right around half (50%) have had to have petcock replacement or repair and one suffered hydrolocks because of it. My own failed, I repaired it with a cover set but when it crapped out again I replaced with a Pingel. If yours has not had problems for years and years you’re lucky. On the other hand you might be on the cusp of petcock failure.

I just don’t understand keeping repairing and replacing with another OEM when so many fail and cause misery.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There are tons that don’t have the problems with them that some seem to have. I guess it come down to what you are comfortable with. For me the OEM, chrome hangers, and an electric fuel shutoff is good for me. I like not having the chance of not turning off the petcock.


I do know the $40 ones that only last 400 miles are not the way I’d go.

[shadowmagic]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the advice and insight. I'll likely go with the non vacuum. I didnt realize I was buying the cheap ones lol lesson learned.

[Jims99]

I have 3 valks with oem petcocks, no issues. I need to have the vacuum or go to an electric shut off, as I’ve been riding 46 years and never shut off gas. Just not a habit I have. Keep my fingers crossed that I never have a problem. I also upgraded float needles on two and will do third if I ever get into those carbs.
Needle upgrade supposedly stronger springs. 18-8955   

[Knapdog]

I do know the $40 ones that only last 400 miles are not the way I’d go.

Totally agree.
It's the same with carburettors on the C90 forum.
We have a knowledgeable member from Vietnam who informed us that the Vietnamese would rather save up for a genuine Keihin rather than buying a Chinese copy.

[SCain]

Ebay and Amazon are probably knockoffs and made in China or somewhere else. Another option is a CBR600  F3 non vacuum petcock and you can retain the factory on/off switch. Buy your parts from Partzilla, Ron Ayers etc.

[JimF2424]

I found this petcock that someone else mentioned on the forum.  It works good, and you can still use the oem valve.  You need to reuse the filter, it's longer than the oem, and the stem is shorter, which means you have less gas for reserve. 

[JimF2424]

Amazon petcock