Help, it just quit running

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

Help, it just quit running.  I just turned 100,000 miles, never had a problem. I was on a five day trip and on the way home it started raining. It rained about an hour and then the Valk just quit running, like it ran out of gas, only real fast. As I went to the shoulder, I kept dropping a gear and popping the clutch, but it wouldn't start. After about 20-30 minutes, it fired right up. It was still raining and I went another 5-7 miles and it quit again. One of the group had trailered his bike, so I put mine on the trailer and took it home. When I got it home, it started and ran fine and has ran fine for several days now. I think it had something to do with the rain, but I don't know. I don't think it is a vent problem with the gas cap, but I don't know. Since it is running great again, it would be hard to take it somewhere and try get it fixed cause it isn't having any problems.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Valkpilot]

Help, it just quit running.  I just turned 100,000 miles, never had a problem. I was on a five day trip and on the way home it started raining. It rained about an hour and then the Valk just quit running, like it ran out of gas, only real fast. As I went to the shoulder, I kept dropping a gear and popping the clutch, but it wouldn't start. After about 20-30 minutes, it fired right up. It was still raining and I went another 5-7 miles and it quit again. One of the group had trailered his bike, so I put mine on the trailer and took it home. When I got it home, it started and ran fine and has ran fine for several days now. I think it had something to do with the rain, but I don't know. I don't think it is a vent problem with the gas cap, but I don't know. Since it is running great again, it would be hard to take it somewhere and try get it fixed cause it isn't having any problems.  Any help would be appreciated.

It is likely that water is getting into your tank vent line down where it hangs below the bike.

Check the vent tube at the rear of the tank.  It should not be kinked and it should have a 'T' in it about halfway down.  The 'T' does not connect to anything; it's there as a vacuum break if the lower end of the tube gets clogged.

[asfltdncr]

You can rebuild your (OEM) petcock if you have not for about $20.  You can also make sure your vacuum tubing isn't cracked or pinched.  That's cheap and not wasted time or labor.

[Patrick]

To go along with what valkpilot said, try shortening the vent line a couple inches. If its even or below the swingarm it may pick up some water even if the ' T ' is where it should be.. Some fellas have stated shortening the line has helped..

[Valker]

I've also seen the drain tube under the bike (the one with the screw cap) being filled in the rain cause this. Drain it to see if it's nearly full.

[Ricky-D]

You can always take the hose and replicate the rain the bike was experiencing and see what happens.

Do just a spot at a time, I'd start at the bottom.

Just exactly how bad was the rain.

***

[Robert]

In addition to what everyone has said the Valks are pretty easy either its gas or ignition usually so while cranking pull off a plug wire if you have spark while cranking then check fuel. Open one of the carb drain screws suck on the petcock vacuum hose and see if you have fuel coming out. You will know which way to go once you narrow down the choices. 

[Thunderbolt]

Most that have had that problem have shortened the lower section and corrected the problem.  Good luck

[NITRO]

Mine did the exact same thing (in the rain even!) a couple of weeks ago at the VOAI Midwest Ride. My petcock was shot and, with a reubild kit, is now as good as new. You can check if your petcock is holding vacumm if you need to.