Hydro-lock carb fix???

[98valk]

Overflow Tubes for Absolute Hydrolock Protection.
 This is for Concours ZG1000 carbs but might be a similar fix for the valkyrie carbs.

https://sites.google.com/site/shoodabenengineering/intake-and-exhaust

[Patrick]

Simple idea, I wonder why we didn't think of it.  It would appear that our bikes aren't the only ones that fuel lock every now and again.

[salty1]

...."The answer to preventing this problem is surprisingly easy - installing overflow tubes in the fuel bowls. With overflow tubes fitted, any fuel that may flow due to a fuel system failure will be directed out the overflow tubes and the drain system. It doesn't "fix" the fuel issues, but at least it prevents them from turning a fuel system issue into certain engine destruction."....

Is this really possible with carbs that are on a Valk?

[Patrick]

...."The answer to preventing this problem is surprisingly easy - installing overflow tubes in the fuel bowls. With overflow tubes fitted, any fuel that may flow due to a fuel system failure will be directed out the overflow tubes and the drain system. It doesn't "fix" the fuel issues, but at least it prevents them from turning a fuel system issue into certain engine destruction."....

Is this really possible with carbs that are on a Valk?

Don't know without a good look. Most carburetors are set at an angle, but this looks like it would certainly have to take into account what angle ours are at.

[Pete]

....

Is this really possible with carbs that are on a Valk?

Yes, it can be done.
The valkyrie already has an overflow system on each bank of carbs, but its exit is located very high in the carb brace and is common to 3 carbs.

An individual carb system with a lower entrance and exit would work better,  ( in my opinion)

The entrance to the overflow must be lower than the entrance to the intake manifolds and handle the full flow of the inlet valve.

[Robert]

The reason ours are not located lower is because unlike the Concours our carbs are mounted sideways to the engine the Concours carbs are mounted parallel. This would make it much easier to do because its not any more movement than going around a corner. But when the Valk is on the kick stand the carbs are at a pretty steep angle. Making it much harder to if not impossible to put a lower overflow tube.

[98valk]

The reason ours are not located lower is because unlike the Concours our carbs are mounted sideways to the engine the Concours carbs are mounted parallel. This would make it much easier to do because its not any more movement than going around a corner. But when the Valk is on the kick stand the carbs are at a pretty steep angle. Making it much harder to if not impossible to put a lower overflow tube.

maybe a curved tube to compensate for the angle/s could work?
also looks like the bowl drain feature would be lost which has never been a concern of mine.

[CoachDoc]

I don't know why the poor design of the overflow tubes on these carbs. Honda pretty well had the problem under control back in the 70's on the gravity fed SOHC fours, whose carbs drain overflow just as fast as fuel can fill the bowls. Why the retrograde progression to these carbs 20 years later?

On another note, I've taken to following advice from various members of this board and just tapping the start button momentarily to be sure the engine is not locked. My question for those who do this is this: what exactly will I feel or experience on that tap if I have one or more cylinders filled with fuel?