Joy and Blues

[Valkorado]

Well, after (way too) many hours trying to figure out why my Silver Bullet was sporadically running and then not running or starting at all, I discovered that it was a short in the wiring to the electric fuel shutoff.  Hopefully I've got that worked out now.  Anyway, it was a joyful moment of bliss when I finally got her started up and running again.  Joy, rudely interrupted by the blues of a gas leak that appears to be coming from the right middle carb.  I really hope it's not a gasket or carb rail o rings, as I have never delved into carburetors and haven't the inclination to do so.  The bike has been sitting on dry carbs since early November, so I'm really hoping that maybe some o-rings are dried out and will swell back up.  If that's not the case, what would you guys suggest?  Is there anything a (very) novice wrench could do without help?

If I do need fuel rail o rings, where is the best place to find them?  TIA.

[Bagger John - #3785]

O rings in the fuel rails are the most likely culprit.

I had a couple Valkyries which would seal back up after a day or so with gas sitting in the rails. My Tourer (CA model) has such a leak on its left side, and the solution to that is going to be in the form of a spare 49-state set of carbs that will be swapped into the bike at the next opportunity. They're getting a rebuild first.

[RonW]

agreed you worry about nothing. agreed you worry about nothing.

[98valk]

tap the carbs together and tighten the nuts on the ends of the thru bolts that hold the carb bank together.
just had to do this again, first time for the right side bank.
history, wasn't leaking two months ago. finally started it after and it started leaking. did the above zero leak now. the nuts do get loose.

[Valkorado]

tap the carbs together and tighten the nuts on the ends of the thru bolts that hold the carb bank together.
just had to do this again, first time for the right side bank.
history, wasn't leaking two months ago. finally started it after and it started leaking. did the above zero leak now. the nuts do get loose.

I'll have to dig out my shop manual.  Are these bolts accessible without pulling off the tank and airbox?  Not that it matters, I've got process down pretty good after doing it about a hundred times now.

[98valk]

tap the carbs together and tighten the nuts on the ends of the thru bolts that hold the carb bank together.
just had to do this again, first time for the right side bank.
history, wasn't leaking two months ago. finally started it after and it started leaking. did the above zero leak now. the nuts do get loose.

I'll have to dig out my shop manual.  Are these bolts accessible without pulling off the tank and airbox?  Not that it matters, I've got process down pretty good after doing it about a hundred times now.

fully accessible without tank removable. something I've done also is with a long screw driver is to slightly move the Tee fitting slightly up and down before tapping the carbs and tightening the nuts. the chrome covers that hide the choke cables need to come off.

[Valkorado]

tap the carbs together and tighten the nuts on the ends of the thru bolts that hold the carb bank together.
just had to do this again, first time for the right side bank.
history, wasn't leaking two months ago. finally started it after and it started leaking. did the above zero leak now. the nuts do get loose.

I'll have to dig out my shop manual.  Are these bolts accessible without pulling off the tank and airbox?  Not that it matters, I've got process down pretty good after doing it about a hundred times now.

fully accessible without tank removable. something I've done also is with a long screw driver is to slightly move the Tee fitting slightly up and down before tapping the carbs and tightening the nuts. the chrome covers that hide the choke cables need to come off.

Thanks, I'll check that.  I just watched some videos on Valkyrie carb disassembly and repair.  Intimidating as hell.

98, I just checked those bolts.  Are you tightening the nuts on them with a (10mm) wrench on each side at the same time?  They seem kinda like the infamous buzz bolt, with threads on each end that need to be cranked down from both sides simultaneously.

[98valk]

I have done it one end at a time, since only one end nut might be loose. usually only takes 1/16th of a turn.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I would let the gas swell up the o-rings before you start cranking down on any bolts.

[98valk]

I would let the gas swell up the o-rings before you start cranking down on any bolts.

OEM o-rings are Buna-N aka Nitrile, which is unaffected by gasoline and does not swell from it.

[Valkorado]

I would let the gas swell up the o-rings before you start cranking down on any bolts.

OEM o-rings are Buna-N aka Nitrile, which is unaffected by gasoline and does not swell from it.

Looking at these cheap carb rebuild kits on eBay.  Chinese made I'm sure.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125381112422?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=I0rqYUwwSqq&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=EkcgiTXYSz6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I've read somewhere that it would be wise to immediately trash the included jets, but the rubber and gaskets will do the trick. The description says the rubber used is nitrile butadiene rubber, NBR. I'm considering buying a kit just for the rings and rubber gaskets.  Not that I'll be cracking open the carbs by myself, but to have on hand in case they're needed.