Dragon had to sit, now won’t start

[F6Ghostrider VRCC #32501]

98 Tourer, 227,000 miles. I have consistently ridden my bike in hot and cold weather conditions, avoiding fog and rain when possible since 2009. Sadly, I have not ridden for about 5 months. I have kept a battery maintainer plugged in. Now, she won’t start. Cranks strong and long, but still won’t start. Any ideas to get me back on the road are greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
Jeff.

[Chrisj CMA]

I’d jump start from your car (not running) in case it’s just the battery but it’s likely buggered up slow jets in the carbs. In which case a carb tear down is probably in your future.

[Jess from VA]

Something that has been reported many times on here but:  When putting on the choke (enrichener), it must be mashed fully to the bottom, and that last eighth inch can make a difference.  Not in recent years, but there were times in the past where I needed to keep thumb pressure on it during startup, lest it back off that eighth inch all by itself.  

Ethanol (polluted) gas sitting in a tank and down in the carbs for long months is not good.  If there's room in the tank, you can always buy an expensive can of pure non ethanol gas (and some Berrymans B12 chemtool) and dump it in there and slosh it around some (but if the carbs are all gummed up it may do no good).  

I started my bike with the headlight trouble yesterday (full of non ethanol) and the battery has been on a maintainer 24 X 7 as usual, and it took awhile after sitting for months, but she did fire up.  That bike always wants a couple little gooses on the throttle as well as the choke.

Even with a full hot battery, never keep her cranking for a long time; things get heated up quickly.  Try, stop and wait a bit, then try again.  

How long have your plugs been in?  You can always pull them for a look see (clean and gap, or replace).  If they're wet (after start attempts, they'll be hot) at least you know you're getting gas.    

[Jims99]

Stupid question, did you turn petcock back on? I’m only asking because I’ve done dumb stuff like that. Have had good luck with the berrymans b12. Problem is getting it into the carbs if they’re already full. Maybe drain carbs first.

[Peteg]

Ghostrider, sorry to hear about your situation. You got some good advice above, this is actually a great thread for me as I lack the years riding a Valkyrie and I often wondered what I'd do in your situation. Here are some maybe crazy idea's I'd put forth just to add to Jessie and Jim. I have a 16 pc Harbor Freight brake bleeder and vacuum pump kit - I think it cost me $15. My bike's been desmogged so the the number 6 vacuum port is the vacuum hose for the fuel valve. I wouldn't even pull the tank. First I'd open the fuel valve and pull vacuum on the fuel valve diaphragm with my little vac pump with the number 6 vacuum hose. Then I'd start draining the bowls and making sure nothing nasty is coming out (you can also catch some grit in a coffee filter if it seems ugly), maybe one bowl at a time. I'd likely drain the whole tank, maybe siphon some. Then you should be able to get high concentration Berrymans in the bowls. Hopefully that does it. If not my next step would be to take my best D bit and being really careful with a marked D bit back out each idle screw exactly 1 turn and try the Berrymans again. If you get it running but it doesn't seem to want to clean up after a few hundred miles of Berrymans I read a really cool tread that said you can tell what cylinders are not running at idle without even pulling the plugs. If you shoot the headers with an IR at idle the hot ones are the ones firing. You could go as far as to drain the tank again and put raw Berrymans in those bowls and try to run it on the good cylinders to pull the berrymans through.

Hope you don't need to pull the carburetors.

[Peteg]

Sorry for any distraction I may have caused above, although those ideas and tightening the 18 intake clamps might be considered prior to pulling carburetors.

So I agree with Jessie, the first place to look would be the enrichers. Wouldn't the bike start on the enrichers with all idle jets blocked? It should run on the mid jets too? Isn't the symptom for blocked idle  jets won't idle after initial warm up? Also very similar to vacuum leaks?

Ghostrider, sorry for all the distractions that may not be helpful. Good luck

[Hook#3287]

Great advice here.  I like the advice of slowly unscrewing the mixture jets, don't believe I heard that before and it sure beats puling the carbs if it clears it up.

I would;

1. prove the petcook is working correctly.
2. drain all gas in carbs and tank.
3. refill tank and carb bowls with heavy diluted B-12 new gas.
4. hook up fully charged battery.
5. check for spark on one cylinder.
6. try starting making sure the enricher is correctly engaged.
7. if started but rough, ride it to try and clear the jets.
8. let sit overnight, try riding to clear again.
9. pull carbs and swap the slows to 38's.

I've done #9 to all 5 Valks I've owned and so far, every spring, they start right up with one going as long as a year w/o running.

I also add 1oz of 2 stroke oil to every tank fill, don't know if that helps the jets clog issue, but hopefully keeps the rubber pieces pliable.
 
Probably just jinxed myself.

[Pluggy]

This easy first step takes only a few minutes:

A Honda key switch may fail due to corroded contacts. 

Go to the fuse box and remove the ignition system fuse.  Turn the key switch on without starting the bike.  Use your multimeter to check that the voltage at that fuse is above 12 volts.  Ideally 12.6V.  Hit the starter and the voltage should still be around 12V.  If this is all OK, re-install the fuse and proceed with other items.  A simple test light may be used if you have no multimeter.






 

[F6Ghostrider VRCC #32501]

Thank you for your knowledgeable responses. Those only come from ones who have experienced their fair share of trials and tribulations.

I missed a couple of key facts related to my Valkyrie. This motor has been de-smogged and has a belly tank with an electric fuel pump. I inherited this Valk in 2009 after my Dad passed. He bought her new in 1998, and put 92,00 miles on her before I took over. I do all of my own maintenance and repairs. Just follow the shop manual, and you'll be alright.

I failed to mention it would crank with no issues, so you guys were on point with your suggestions.

So, I finally got out today and with the battery tender still attached, I turned on the ignition switch and let it push some fuel for maybe 5 minutes. I engaged the enricher and guess what! She fired right up just like the last time I rode (which was probably late October, early November). I let her idle with the enricher engaged for a few minutes with a 2" block under the side stand for maybe 20 minutes. The fan engaged just like it was supposed to. I couldn't resist, so I donned my helmet, jacket and gloves and went for a 20 mile ride with zero issues. Man, that felt good! I have  out of town friends who own HD's and they are utterly impressed with the miles I have on this Valkyrie and the lack of issues I have. I tell them she runs like a sewing machine, but quieter. I'm not one for loud pipes.

Thanks again fellas. I know I can always count on the members in this forum to provide sound advise.

I just wish there were some Valkers where I live to share stories, rides, and comradery.

I appreciate you and this forum.

Thanks again,

Jeff.

[HayHauler]

Glad you got out for a ride!  The weather has been weird here in the Houston area, but I got out for a little ride myself.  It is amazing, how a short ride with your knees in the wind, how great it makes you feel.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Chrisj CMA]

Sounds like it was just the battery wasn’t strong enough when it wouldn’t start. Battery tender/maintainer must have finally given it enough power (amps) to start but probably still isn’t fully charged.  I would advise putting it on a proper charger until fully charged. Running a minimally charged battery is hard on the alternator and will significantly lower the life of the battery. Also if the bike sits again you may have the issue all over again.