Fuel problem ?

[greko]

Hello everybody .
I am new on this forum . First of all I want to say sorry for my poor english, but I hope I will be able to explain what problem I  have with my Valkyrie.
I never had any issue with my bike and it always run fine and smooth. A few weeks ago ,I removed  fuel tank to clean K&N air filter . I done it  and put it back to the airbox ,but didn"t put the fuel tank back. Bike was park up like that over 2-3 weeks. Last sunday I wanted take her for spin ,and she fired easy . Problem is when I trying accelerate . She is running fine up to 55mph (2500rpm),but above that looks like engine have not enough fuel . Can here a little backfire as well.
 I checked petcock all ready and it looking fine for me. Diaghram has no crack and is in very good condition.
Wonder what I could do wrong ? Hoses are in right places ,so vent hose as well . Ammount of fuel in the tank  about 1,5 gallon.  I tried ride in fuel valve in On position and RESERVE as well and there is no difference, up 2500 rpm ok all above giving troubles.
Bike was running perfect before I removed fuel tank and let it lying iddle for 3 weeks.
I had plan going on my holidays across Europe in 2 weeks . I have booked all ferries and now  everything looking not well for me.  I will be very happy if somebody would to help me fix my bike before I will be force to change my holidays plan .
Thanks very much .
Greg

[ricoman]

not sure if this will help
find the tank vent hose and make sure it did not get pinched when you reinstalled the tank. You may try leaving the gas cap loose and see if it still has the problem-if not the vent hose is pinched.
Someone else will be along to offer more advice.

[greko]

Thanks for your advice . Will check it  tomorrow  and will go for ride with loose fuel tank cap and let you know . Greg

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

also too much oil on the filter can cause this condition. Are you runninng the pre-filter?

[Patrick]

Right now it sure sounds like the proverbial kinked vent line,, happens quite often when the fuel tank is removed/re-installed.. Like ricoman said try running with the fuel cap open/loose.. If that doesn't correct the problem then it may be a petcock issue..

[greko]

Hi guys , unfortunetly I finished my job right now and will not go today on bike anywhere because of heavy rain . Will go tomorrow and can't wait to check ricoman's suggestion. 

  Are you runninng the pre-filter?

Yes I have it on the top of the air filter. I tried to ride without air filter at all, but it doesn't make any difference.
Wondering ,if I will remove a fuel tank from the bike ,and might use a plastic bottle as a  small fuel tank connecting directly to fuel line ?  Will go for short ride and have a look what is going on ? It might give an answer or issue is with the fuel tank {petcock,screen} or somewhere else like carbs etc... ?

[Patrick]

Just make sure the tank vent is not kinked and open,, then ride it.. If there still a problem, look at the petcock..

[BlueValk]

Hi,
Don't think a kinked vent line would be so consistent at causing a problem.  It would take a while to build a vacuum in the tank.

I would suspect something odd with the K&N filter.  Maybe damaged, maybe not enough oil so that it is getting too much air.  Since you have the trip in 2 weeks, do you still have an OEM filter that you could try? 

BlueValk

[9Ball]

petcock may look fine but actually be bad.  Do you have an inline fuel filter?  If not, the fuel line may be kinking and starving for fuel at higher RPMs.

Check the condition of your main fuel line.  If you replaced it, then it may be too long and causing the kinking.

These are the best guesses based on the limited info provided.

[greko]

Just back from the test. I rode a bike with opened cap and don't have a good news -the problem still exists.  I don't have OEM air filter anymore so can't check out that option,but I cleaned K&N air filter twice before and didn't have any problems (but I always reinstelled fuel tank at the same day).
 Air filter condition is very good and it is as new. Dont have fit any fuel filter inline . I'd  like to have a good look on screen filter in the  fuel tank ,but have a problem to remove it . Should I pull out O-ring first and then that fine screen ?
Tomorrow will check a fuel line from the petcock. I think have to pull out airbox first  to have better acces to all hoses.
Thanks guys for your help.
Greg

[9Ball]

one thing...might have been mentioned above, is make sure you didn't over-oil the K&N.

Overoiling can cause restriction in the airflow and could create the high speed issue you describe.  The filter pleats should be pink, not red.  Common mistake.

[John U.]

Just back from the test. I rode a bike with opened cap and don't have a good news -the problem still exists.  I don't have OEM air filter anymore so can't check out that option,but I cleaned K&N air filter twice before and didn't have any problems (but I always reinstelled fuel tank at the same day).
 Air filter condition is very good and it is as new. Dont have fit any fuel filter inline . I'd  like to have a good look on screen filter in the  fuel tank ,but have a problem to remove it . Should I pull out O-ring first and then that fine screen ?
Tomorrow will check a fuel line from the petcock. I think have to pull out airbox first  to have better acces to all hoses.
Thanks guys for your help.
Greg

The screen can be a real PIA to get out. One of mine was so stuck I destroyed it while removing it. It's best to have a spare available. The screens need to be ordered seperately, they aren't included in the "cover set" to rebuild the petcock.

[greko]

  The filter pleats should be pink, not red.  Common mistake.

This is a colour of mine :



and looking clean enough I think :

[greko]

The screen can be a real PIA to get out. One of mine was so stuck I destroyed it while removing it. It's best to have a spare available. The screens need to be ordered seperately, they aren't included in the "cover set" to rebuild the petcock.

Because of that (don't have parts to rebuild the petcock and a spar screen) ,decided to remove a fuel tank and use something what might do the same job but not necessarily looks like it .



then plastic bottle (no milk inside )



..and ready to go :



I was full of hope... unfortunately the same problem still exists ,so:  petcock ,screen filter in the fuel tank and vent hose are ok    ,
one more think  , I notesed on bottom of the airbox a hole ... you can see it  on pic below (there where is screwdriver ), it sholuld be like that or there is something missing ?

[Ricky-D]

That thing in the air box is not causing your problem although I would investigate why it is there. There are a number on hoses that go to the air box to allow them clean ambient air. There should be no unattended holes in the air box.

Have you tried to drain the carburetors with the drain screw on the bottom of the float bowls. They should be getting plenty of gasoline and be draining freely.

Are you sure gasoline is not contaminated. Try some other gas station.

Since all you did is mess with the air filter I can't see any mechanical reason for the problem you are having.

A poorly performing battery or a dying alternator might mimic the problem you are having.

Was there any other work you performed on the bike while attending to the air cleaner?

***

[9Ball]

something doesn't look right with your airbox filter....the filter should be in place and the pre-filter on the outboard (top) side.  Looks like you have it blocking the individual plenums....

[Patrick]

How did you vent your milk bottle ?  If you didn't, poke a little hole in it and go for another ride..

[greko]

I'm so happy because, after all saturday I had spent repairing the bike ,finally she is back to live  . Thanks very much guys for help . I think that fuel filter inline it's a great idea and I have to fit  mine bike in one of this. I removed airbox and opened top of each  carb. I used syringe with needle to blow into each jet. There is 3 holes like that on the pic below in each carb.




All vacum and fuel hoses were in good conditions and no cracs etc.  I replaced a main fuel hose and put the new one but not OEM . The old one was good enough and there was no leaks, but I had one new so...
Seems like a petcock and screen filter  are ok and it didn't give any troubless. I did used also compressor to blow into the fuel line .
There was e few others things what I done but don't think they are important.
After all of that i think that it would be a good idea to do vacum synchr and might do it tomorrow,but now will open a  good cold beer and will try to enjoy rest of the saturday.
Cheers !!  

[9Ball]

that's not your fuel jets....just an FYI.  They are on the bottom of each carb after your remove the carb bowls.  Not exactly sure what you cleared out...I think that's the air circuit.  I've never removed those covers during carb cleaning.

[greko]

Hmmm ... so I really don't know , I was thinking myself that ,there is at least one jet , so what is it then ?

[Paxton]

Greko;
It sounds like you will have a grand vacation...
Enjoy!


“Every time I start thinking the world is all bad
I begin to see people out there havin' a good time on a motorcycle...and it makes me take another look.”
Steve McQueen

[greko]

Greko;
It sounds like you will have a grand vacation...
Enjoy!

Thanks very much Paxton !!  Will go next week ,so I can't wait . Valk working very good and I've done 200 milles last sunday ,and didn't have any problems with it. All what still have to do is,to  remove  cobra's pipes and put the OEM back in, because of noise restriction in Germany and Switzerland . (wouldn't like to have any problems with police)
Regards Greg.

[9Ball]

Greko;
It sounds like you will have a grand vacation...
Enjoy!

Thanks very much Paxton !!  Will go next week ,so I can't wait . Valk working very good and I've done 200 milles last sunday ,and didn't have any problems with it. All what still have to do is,to  remove  cobra's pipes and put the OEM back in, because of noise restriction in Germany and Switzerland . (wouldn't like to have any problems with police)
Regards Greg.

A word of wisdom regarding working on the bike before a major ride...don't wait until the day before to make big changes...bolts do snap and problems do crop up that could delay or cancel your trip...leave plenty of time and do some test riding.

Have a safe trip and show some pictures....

[Paxton]

Greko;
Screw the German Cops...
Let 'em chase you down the Autobahn!
 

“Take care of your horse and she will take care of you.”

[greko]

I have changed pipes in my bike on OEM exhaust. Now I can turn on radio  . Didn't have any problems with  bolts so ,job was easy enough to do . It's very good to use heat resistant grease and put it on each exhaust pipe jointe nut and use right torque (10 N-m).  It's good as well to warm up engine (go for short ride) and after that let it cooldown and  re-tighten nuts.
Bike it's ready I hope for the travel so I am as well. Will take some pictures  and will show them in here .
Thanks so much for good advices and support guys .
Ride safe !
Greg