61 miles before hitting reserve??!!

[Heathen]

This happened to me twice now.  

I know I filled up all the way and reset my odometer to zero.  

Made 2 or 3 short trips to work over 5-7 day span.  

Driving along and lost power at 60-ish miles on the odometer, switch to reserve and problem solved.  

Go to fill up and put 4+ gallons in the bike.

Now, 2 of those trips I never passed 100mph.  maybe on the 3rd trip, maybe 105, idk.. wasn't particularly paying attention.  (private roads, would never break the law)

So..  It's been a while since I had my previous valkyrie.  I can't remember is that about right if you're riding a little bit quick?  I know I used to get 120-130 miles per tank on cross country trips, but I was probably cruising around 75-80 then.  (thinking about it, I may have been 80 lbs lighter then too!)

Also, my rpms are at 3300 at 70-ish.  I noticed.

Any thoughts?  does that seem normal to you?

Thanks!

[da prez]

16Miles per gallon is not right. Pull oil dipstick and smell for gas. That is worse milage than my truck. I average 38 to41 on my Valk. You are leaking fuel. Find it fast. Contact a member near you and ask for help.

                     da prez

[sidecarwilliam]

That's about all I have ever gotten.  I got 13 mpg running from San Francisco to Hogkiss CO.  Felt better as I got 16 mpg going back home.

Two days each way.  About 70 mph both ways as that was about all the bike would do. 

I  was pulling a tent trailer (Leesure lite)  behind my sidecar (Daytona 2+2) and that may have been a contributing factor.

Never got better than 19 mpg without the trailer which accounts for three gas tanks totaling about 14 gallons. 

YMMV

bill.

[hubcapsc]

When you went on reserve, and then got gas... how much did it take to fill up?

An easy thing to fix that might be the problem is... your petcock...

-Mike

[da prez]

Pulling a trailer and running 80 to a 100 I still got about 25 mpg. I don't even think a blower bike used that much fuel.

           da prez

[psckam]

16Miles per gallon is not right. Pull oil dipstick and smell for gas. That is worse milage than my truck. I average 38 to41 on my Valk. You are leaking fuel. Find it fast. Contact a member near you and ask for help.

                     da prez

I concur with da prez, I average about the same (35-40ish) mpg.

[Flat 6 man]

Before I installed a 6 degree advance timing wheel, I averaged about 33 mpg. Now I average about 38 mpg.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Two Tourers, two I/Ses and a Standard for reference purposes:

Each Tourer got ~32MPG @ 65MPH sustained highway speeds when I got them One is a CA-model w/ smog stuff, cams and carbs intact, the other was a 49-state model. Both had an I/S ICM and carb springs installed. The 49-state bike had Dynojet jet needles installed, while the CA bike had a Cobra jet kit to match its 6x6 pipes (all installed by previous owner). I changed the second Tourer's exhaust back to OEM and set the pilot screws out 2 1/2 turns.

Both of these Tourers utilized the same Memphis Batwing. The first routinely averaged 40MPG @ highway speeds while the second can usually best that by 2-3MPG.

Both I/Ses got adjustable jet needles and I played around with #38 slows in each. One consistently ran too rich so I switched it back to the stock #35s. The other liked the #38s and plug color was perfect so it was left as-is.

Each of these got (and gets) around 30MPG @ highway speeds.

Standard - 2003. Blondie's custom.

I didn't do anything to the fuel/air system on this one apart from changing its air filter at 11k - shortly after I bought the bike. No fairing; set of Leatherlyke saddlebags and a Memphis Rifle windscreen.

Consistently got 31MPG pretty much anywhere you rode it.

I'd pull the plugs and start looking there. Have you owned the bike from new? 

[Heathen]

Okay, then something is definitely wrong.  no gas in my oil.  Can't find any gas leaks, other than seems to "leak" out of my chrome tank cap part sometimes I see "runners" coming from the gas cap chrome area and running down the tank.  Not while riding, but when it's been parked a bit.

Other than that I don't know.  I guess I'll check spark plugs and do a mpg test.  I'll post if I find anything definite.

[Jims99]

I would definitely check vent line for tank. Sounds like it’s clogged or line is pinched. Shouldn’t have any runners coming from cap.

[Glaserbeam]

And I thought I had the worst mpg in the Club ... my '02 is bone-stock, except for a batwing fairing.  Stock exhaust, stock carbs.  With the lousy California oxygenated/ethanol-laden gasoline, a short stop-and-go commute, and a happy throttle hand, I get 21 mpg.  On longer trips I get 26 mpg.  I've synced the carbs multiple times, set the low-speed jets using idle-drop method multiple times, done valve adjustments checks multiple times (nothing was ever off more than 0.001), with no improvement in mpg.  The engine is smooth and powerful; no hesitation, no backfiring, damn near perfect.  I know 21-26 is lower than everyone else in this club - except Heathen - and though it's frustrating I just live with it.

[Heathen]

Whatever is happening to me only manifests during short trips like over a weekday where I ride 10 miles to work and 10 miles back to the house.   

When I took the bike 700+ miles across texas to the twisted sisters and back I was getting about 110 miles on the main tank before  switching to reserve. 

That was also before I cleaned the petcock and fixed a loose vacuum tube that wasn't connected right.  The bike idled terrible then and couldn't get over 4400 rpms very easy.    Now, all of that is fixed, so I thought I'd be getting much better mileage.  I bet I would on a long-haul.

I checked the vent line, it doesn't seem kinked.  Do I actually need it for anything?  what if I just pulled it off altogether?  all it does it just hang down by  those other "drain" tubes with an open- end.  The bike has been de-smogged.

cheers!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Whatever is happening to me only manifests during short trips like over a weekday where I ride 10 miles to work and 10 miles back to the house.   

When I took the bike 700+ miles across texas to the twisted sisters and back I was getting about 110 miles on the main tank before  switching to reserve. 

That was also before I cleaned the petcock and fixed a loose vacuum tube that wasn't connected right.  The bike idled terrible then and couldn't get over 4400 rpms very easy.    Now, all of that is fixed, so I thought I'd be getting much better mileage.  I bet I would on a long-haul.

I checked the vent line, it doesn't seem kinked.  Do I actually need it for anything?  what if I just pulled it off altogether?  all it does it just hang down by  those other "drain" tubes with an open- end.  The bike has been de-smogged.

cheers!

I wouldn’t pull it. I’ve had occasion where the bike was sitting in the sun and fuel was spewing out the vent line. I’d hate to think the possibilities of all of that drenching the engine and electrics.

Your gas mileage symptoms are hard to figure out. It ain’t normal though. I’d look into it.

[98valk]

what RPM are u shifting gears at?
what octane are u using?
do u use seafoam or marvel mystery oil in your gas?
what tire pressures are u running?
what rear shock setting are you using?
using large fairing or windshield?
saddle bags fully loaded?
have u checked if any brake calipers are hung up and dragging on the rotor?
Last time brake calipers were flushed with new brake fluid?

[RonW]

prolly never actually filled it up at the gas station. check your credit card statement for that particular day.

[..]

Is the diaphragm in the petcock split?

[rug_burn]

Maybe a bigger gas tank?  

No- really:  check that again a few times, I'd say.  If you do it over and over again, there should be obvious signs.... Like way too rich mixture, constant rapid starts with hard stops,  or real high speed habitually, like 100 mph. Or large fairing with high speed (major aero. drag).    
    Unless it is leaking onto the ground, that gas is going somewhere.

[RonW]

Again, try verifying with your credit card statement the amount of gas you put in at that gas station that day. Resetting the tripometer does not fill up a gas tank.

[da prez]

Fill the fuel tank. Drive 100 miles. Go to the same fuel station , same pump , same position. Fill and do the math.

          da prez

[MarkT]

Besides all the other checks, I'd say don't take the pump reading as gospel.  I have caught multiple gas stations with pump counters that were WAY off.  Such that it wasn't just measuring error but clearly fraud.  Especially Conoco/Phillips stations such that I won't use them since, unless there's no other options.  I've measured them off by typically 33%.  There have been reports of modified circuit boards with a radio control to them.  They work accurately when pumping the Weights & Measures volume of 5 gallons.  I calculate the mpg with every fill.  A ripoff is really obvious.  My usual mileage is right around 34mpg with mixed riding.  On 2 Tourers.  Even my blown bobber also gets 34mpg.

[F6BANGER]

You got kids? Prolly siphoning gas while it is parked.... 

[Heathen]

 Hey guys, just a quick update.  I just got out of Hernia Surgery (gettin older) and I've got a few weeks recovery time before I can get back on this.  I'll update you as I track down whatever issue I have going on.

Just before surgery I did a once-over TLC project where I took off the tank, check connections, check how clean the carbs were, replaced brake pads, etc.  It's probably long and boring but here is a video I made of the project if anyone wants to give it a look.

https://youtu.be/7ZTrwY8cAyM

[Heathen]

You got kids? Prolly siphoning gas while it is parked.... 

I do have two 25 yr olds living at home, but it's hard to credit them with that much creativity and know-how!!    LOL!! 

[Jess from VA]

You got kids? Prolly siphoning gas while it is parked.... 

I do have two 25 yr olds living at home, but it's hard to credit them with that much creativity and know-how!!    LOL!! 

 

[old2soon]

     When my I/S started rippin thru the fuel turned out to be a perferated diaphragm. Rebuild petcock and good to go!  RIDE SAFE.

[Twofest]

Okay, then something is definitely wrong.  no gas in my oil.  Can't find any gas leaks, other than seems to "leak" out of my chrome tank cap part sometimes I see "runners" coming from the gas cap chrome area and running down the tank.  Not while riding, but when it's been parked a bit.

Other than that I don't know.  I guess I'll check spark plugs and do a mpg test.  I'll post if I find anything definite.

Just a thought about a bad cap seal?  Could the fuel simply be evaporating?  I had to replace the cap on my 77 gl1000 wing for a similar issue....

[Heathen]

I know this is an aging thread now, but I was forced to 6-8 weeks of no riding due to surgery.  I'm back at it now, and when out on an all-day trip with my buddy on his Rocket III. 

For sure on that trip I was getting a consistent 22mpg at each stop.  87 octane, properly filled tires, new-ish tires, filling all the way up each time.   

Okay, the guy behind me said he could smell gas.   I pulled the plugs and there is a little darkness around the tips, but nothing too bad.  Definitely not what I would call fouled/oily, but not pristine.  I don't know how old they are, supposedly they were changed just before I bought the bike earlier this year. 

Last time I had the tank off I noticed the petcock looked brand shiny new, but I do have a new petcock in a toolbox, so I will pull the tank and open her up and see what's going on inside that petcock, maybe someone cleaned the outside.

would syncing carbs have any effect?    someone mentioned a timing wheel, whatever that is... Is that something I should look into? 

I really hope it's the petcock, that's easy to replace, syncing the carbs and installing a timing wheel sounds like polarizing the harmonics on the transcombobulator to me.   

[Knapdog]

I always get 40 - 45 miles per uk gallon and that's for the 5,000 miles done since I've had it.
My Range is over 190 miles so I normally fill up when I've reached around 170 miles.
I bought a new petcock kit last year but there must be a problem somewhere as "Reserve" doesn't work, i.e, I never get to a situation where the bike starts chugging and I have to switch to Reserve.
It can't be "cack" in the tank as I gave it a good clean when I fitted the petcock kit.
I'm not worried about it as I know when I have to fill up.

[98valk]

I know this is an aging thread now, but I was forced to 6-8 weeks of no riding due to surgery.  I'm back at it now, and when out on an all-day trip with my buddy on his Rocket III. 

For sure on that trip I was getting a consistent 22mpg at each stop.  87 octane, properly filled tires, new-ish tires, filling all the way up each time.   

Okay, the guy behind me said he could smell gas.   I pulled the plugs and there is a little darkness around the tips, but nothing too bad.  Definitely not what I would call fouled/oily, but not pristine.  I don't know how old they are, supposedly they were changed just before I bought the bike earlier this year. 

Last time I had the tank off I noticed the petcock looked brand shiny new, but I do have a new petcock in a toolbox, so I will pull the tank and open her up and see what's going on inside that petcock, maybe someone cleaned the outside.

would syncing carbs have any effect?    someone mentioned a timing wheel, whatever that is... Is that something I should look into? 

I really hope it's the petcock, that's easy to replace, syncing the carbs and installing a timing wheel sounds like polarizing the harmonics on the transcombobulator to me.   

"Okay, the guy behind me said he could smell gas."
carbs are not jetted correctly, i.e. idle mixture screws set too rich, Pilot jet too large, and/or if adjustable needles they are set too rich.

[Chrisj CMA]

If you are filling over four gallons after hitting reserve. That sounds right as far as the fuel system. It’s still horrible gas mileage though. I’d focus my investigation as you said. Carbs and jetting

[F6BANGER]

If this just started happening and now always happens, you might pull the carb bowls off and check to see if a jet is loose or maybe vibrated out. I know there isnt much vibration in the flat-6, thats where I would start. Another thing you might want to check is bearings. Put bike on lift and see if wheels spin freely, although if they were dragging that much you should hear them. Also make sure brakes arent dragging.

[Peteg]

Don't have much experience with Valkyries. Just got my 98 standard last November. My bike is basically stock, with 6 into 6 pipes w baffles & packing, carbs not rejetted, and desmoged. Timbo, who restored my bike, apparently lives in Tulsa, said he got 29 mpg. I live up near Denton, north of DFW. When I get out on the local roads, it's typically at least 2 miles between stop lights. I was getting 31 mpg. My riding style is pretty mellow and I do pretty high relative to others on the forums for my other 2 bikes. I was blaming my 31 on the exhaust. Pretty much I was riding the Valk like my other two 5- speed bikes. Second gear 20-30 mph, Third gear 30-40 etc. Pretty much average rpm 2500. Now I shift as early as possible. If I'm cruising with a 30 mph speed limit, I'm usually in 4th or fifth doing 35 mph. Early shifting took my mileage from 31 to 36. The spark plugs look great and every thing seems good. Is there any issue pulling up in high gear below 2000 rpms? It seems like it will pull up from idle in third gear. 

[Heathen]

Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions.  Trust me I am reading every single one.

I probably don't shift at the most efficient moments.  I don't get near redline, but I probably let it get to 3000 or 4000 from time to time before shifting.  Also, I've been known to exceed the speed limit to a small degree from time to time, when conditions are clear and safe. 

I might have discovered something this weekend.  I'm the dumbest guy ever, or at least the worst mechanic ever.  I promise that I checked and checked for fuel leaks.  I never saw any moisture or found any cracks in a line, or saw any drips, etc.   however....      I had my tank off this weekend replacing that tube that runs down to the ground and has a removable cap on it.  I don't know exactly what sludge collects in there, but it's the one you have to empty every few months or so..  Anyway, I was replacing all the tubing having to do with that (there's a T and a tube runs to the bottom of the airbox) and I happened to push on the main fuel line to move it out of the way.  When pushing on it, a giant crack showed up, just past where it fits on the the nipple.  you can only see the crack when pushing.  the line is dry.  But I'm assuming that maybe gas is escaping from there while I'm running the engine, but maybe not when the bike is just sitting. 

Everyone is going to say, "you should have checked that first" and I know.. I know.  I really thought I had!    The guy at O'Reilly's handed me the new fuel line and I said, Oh these things are supposed to be flexible!

I'm learning new tricks and tips as I go.  I do all my work myself, not because I know what I'm doing, but because I'm too poor to pay for professional help!  Of course that statement probably applies equally well to my mental state!

Cheers!

P.S.  I've have the new fuel line on tonight, will test bike this week and report if that made any difference.

[98valk]

Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions.  Trust me I am reading every single one.

I probably don't shift at the most efficient moments.  I don't get near redline, but I probably let it get to 3000 or 4000 from time to time before shifting.  Also, I've been known to exceed the speed limit to a small degree from time to time, when conditions are clear and safe. 

I might have discovered something this weekend.  I'm the dumbest guy ever, or at least the worst mechanic ever.  I promise that I checked and checked for fuel leaks.  I never saw any moisture or found any cracks in a line, or saw any drips, etc.   however....      I had my tank off this weekend replacing that tube that runs down to the ground and has a removable cap on it.  I don't know exactly what sludge collects in there, but it's the one you have to empty every few months or so..  Anyway, I was replacing all the tubing having to do with that (there's a T and a tube runs to the bottom of the airbox) and I happened to push on the main fuel line to move it out of the way.  When pushing on it, a giant crack showed up, just past where it fits on the the nipple.  you can only see the crack when pushing.  the line is dry.  But I'm assuming that maybe gas is escaping from there while I'm running the engine, but maybe not when the bike is just sitting. 

Everyone is going to say, "you should have checked that first" and I know.. I know.  I really thought I had!    The guy at O'Reilly's handed me the new fuel line and I said, Oh these things are supposed to be flexible!

I'm learning new tricks and tips as I go.  I do all my work myself, not because I know what I'm doing, but because I'm too poor to pay for professional help!  Of course that statement probably applies equally well to my mental state!

Cheers!

P.S.  I've have the new fuel line on tonight, will test bike this week and report if that made any difference.

shift sooner, u got 90-100 ftlbs of torque.

or accelerate faster into 3rd double shift into 5th, use the torque.  BMW cars did testing decades ago the sooner one gets into high gear the better mpg.

[da prez]

  Peteg , re jetting is a mis conception.  The Valk carbs properly adjusted will perform properly with a 6x6 exhaust.  If you are not able to do a set up and tune , shout out , there is a brother or sister near to help.
 I get a constant 38 to 40 with my Valk. 45 was about my top milage. The twisty thing in the right hand controls cruise and extra fun.

                                                   da prez

[Peteg]

Thanks, Da Prez. I agree, as I understand it, mine has standard jets with 6 into 6. I did not set it up, Timbo did my bike, and I couldn't be happier. I may need to start another thread, but my question is what to expect if I take the bike to Colorado. Typically on a high altitude vacation I'll do about a thousand miles in 5 days with all the miles over 6,000', most between 6000 & 9000 and a few up to 12,000. I'm thinking I'll leave the carburetors as they are as apposed to turning 6 idle mixture screws in a 1/2 turn. I'm guessing I'll need to adjust the idle and it might stutter a little but shouldn't be a problem.

[Willow]

... but my question is what to expect if I take the bike to Colorado. Typically on a high altitude vacation I'll do about a thousand miles in 5 days with all the miles over 6,000', most between 6000 & 9000 and a few up to 12,000. I'm thinking I'll leave the carburetors as they are as apposed to turning 6 idle mixture screws in a 1/2 turn. I'm guessing I'll need to adjust the idle and it might stutter a little but shouldn't be a problem.

Leave it as is; that is without adjustments.  You will undoubtedly lose a small amount of power at altitude but the Valk has plenty to spare.  I live at 800 feet above sea level and have ridden quite a bit in Colorado with no adjustments and no issues.

You will change from 87 to 85 octane in higher elevations but the stations sell "regular" at the necessary octane.

[98valk]

Thanks, Da Prez. I agree, as I understand it, mine has standard jets with 6 into 6. I did not set it up, Timbo did my bike, and I couldn't be happier. I may need to start another thread, but my question is what to expect if I take the bike to Colorado. Typically on a high altitude vacation I'll do about a thousand miles in 5 days with all the miles over 6,000', most between 6000 & 9000 and a few up to 12,000. I'm thinking I'll leave the carburetors as they are as apposed to turning 6 idle mixture screws in a 1/2 turn. I'm guessing I'll need to adjust the idle and it might stutter a little but shouldn't be a problem.

the cobra jet kit for their 6x6 pipes only changes out the OEM needles to their adjustable needles and slide springs. the kit does not change the OEM main jets or pilot jets.
so the easiest thing to do is adjust the needles one step leaner for the higher elevations. putting the needle clip closer to the top will lean it out.
the cobra jet needles which are dynojet needles are richer than OEM and which I use FactoryPro needles.

[..]

Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions.  Trust me I am reading every single one.

I probably don't shift at the most efficient moments.  I don't get near redline, but I probably let it get to 3000 or 4000 from time to time before shifting.  Also, I've been known to exceed the speed limit to a small degree from time to time, when conditions are clear and safe. 

I might have discovered something this weekend.  I'm the dumbest guy ever, or at least the worst mechanic ever.  I promise that I checked and checked for fuel leaks.  I never saw any moisture or found any cracks in a line, or saw any drips, etc.   however....      I had my tank off this weekend replacing that tube that runs down to the ground and has a removable cap on it.  I don't know exactly what sludge collects in there, but it's the one you have to empty every few months or so..  Anyway, I was replacing all the tubing having to do with that (there's a T and a tube runs to the bottom of the airbox) and I happened to push on the main fuel line to move it out of the way.  When pushing on it, a giant crack showed up, just past where it fits on the the nipple.  you can only see the crack when pushing.  the line is dry.  But I'm assuming that maybe gas is escaping from there while I'm running the engine, but maybe not when the bike is just sitting. 

Everyone is going to say, "you should have checked that first" and I know.. I know.  I really thought I had!    The guy at O'Reilly's handed me the new fuel line and I said, Oh these things are supposed to be flexible!

I'm learning new tricks and tips as I go.  I do all my work myself, not because I know what I'm doing, but because I'm too poor to pay for professional help!  Of course that statement probably applies equally well to my mental state!

Cheers!

P.S.  I've have the new fuel line on tonight, will test bike this week and report if that made any difference.

When I twisted my fuel line I saw multiple very small cracks. At the time I was investigating popping on decel.