Fuel Mileage Saga Continues: This Weekend... the Vent Hose Replacement.

[Bladedog]

Last Sunday while under the hood of the Valk, doing the carb sync, we noticed that a couple of the vac hoses were cracking at the ends, and we also broke all three of the vacuum caps when we removed them to attach the vac gauge.  Definitely brittle.  So, alarms started going off in my head, (since I've been trying to get to the bottom of this poor-mileage problem for months, and the carbs were not that far off when we tested the sync) if the ends are getting brittle, maybe there's one in the middle that's brittle?  (Brittle-in-the-middle... a new song title!)

Anyway, I have 6' of the 5/32" i.d. hose and will use the tips from this page:

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/AirBox%20VentHose/venthose.htm

Any other new hot tips or tricks one might want to share?  Also, what's the best way to replace the broken vac caps?  While I was in the other garage, I just turned around the broken plugs and shoved them in a 1" piece of new tube with a dab of superglue.  Ugly, but it got me home.

Also, as far as the mileage problem, I've now run 1 & 1/2 cans of seafoam thru the system, with no improvement.

[F-106]

I would look at your intake manifold clamps that come out of the carbs. mine get loose and my mileage goes in the crapper. also keep the seafoam in the tank for a few more tank fulls. also let the bike sit for a few days and let the seafoam work. worth a try.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

John, you should do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses. It may not solve your gas mileage problem but will make it alot easier to work on and remove more problems down the line.

Dave

[sandy]

The vacuum nipples can be replaced with a metric bolt and a brass washer from ACE Hardware. I did that and keep the nipples with me in a ziplock bag under the seat. My rememberer is great, but maybe it's a 5mm bolt.

[Bladedog]

John, you should do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses. It may not solve your gas mileage problem but will make it alot easier to work on and remove more problems down the line.

Dave

GREAT point, Dave.  A Desmog is definitely on my to-do list.  But I'm a bit leery about the procedure flying solo.  I've read the Shoptalk page again and again and I seem to get lost right about where you remove the tubes from under the engine.  I may need some first-hand help with that when the time comes. For now I'll just do the hose thing.  At least I'll get some wrench time in and be able to look around in there.

[TearlessTom]

John, you should do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses. It may not solve your gas mileage problem but will make it alot easier to work on and remove more problems down the line.

Dave

GREAT point, Dave.  A Desmog is definitely on my to-do list.  But I'm a bit leery about the procedure flying solo.  I've read the Shoptalk page again and again and I seem to get lost right about where you remove the tubes from under the engine.  I may need some first-hand help with that when the time comes. For now I'll just do the hose thing.  At least I'll get some wrench time in and be able to look around in there.

You don't have to pull the hoses out from under the engine. I left mine in place ( I liked the extra chrome)  I just cut a piece of hose that was on it and shoved an approiate sized ELECTRICAL SCREW NUT down its throat adding a bit of Liquid Weld to make sure it sealed properly and is uneffected by patroleum products

Tom

[woefman]

John, you should do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses. It may not solve your gas mileage problem but will make it alot easier to work on and remove more problems down the line.

Dave

GREAT point, Dave.  A Desmog is definitely on my to-do list.  But I'm a bit leery about the procedure flying solo.  I've read the Shoptalk page again and again and I seem to get lost right about where you remove the tubes from under the engine.  I may need some first-hand help with that when the time comes. For now I'll just do the hose thing.  At least I'll get some wrench time in and be able to look around in there.

I agree I seem to get lost in it too. I still never understood why they Cut them off. Why can't they be pulled off
and set aside in case we need to reinstall them another day.

[N0tac0p]

isn't the desmog there to protect the environment?  why would we want to remove it.

[X Ring]

John, you should do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses. It may not solve your gas mileage problem but will make it alot easier to work on and remove more problems down the line.

Dave

GREAT point, Dave.  A Desmog is definitely on my to-do list.  But I'm a bit leery about the procedure flying solo.  I've read the Shoptalk page again and again and I seem to get lost right about where you remove the tubes from under the engine.  I may need some first-hand help with that when the time comes. For now I'll just do the hose thing.  At least I'll get some wrench time in and be able to look around in there.

I agree I seem to get lost in it too. I still never understood why they Cut them off. Why can't they be pulled off
and set aside in case we need to reinstall them another day.

Bladedog, I can definitely understand you reluctance.  I was too but I printed out the instructions with the pics blown up full size.  It was easier than I imagined it would be.  When I cut the tubes under the engine, I removed the the tubes and fittings.  I cut the tubes at the fittings and made block off plates to fit between the fittings and the engine.  Put hi temp silicone gasket sealer on both sides of the plates and put the fittings back on.  Haven't had a problem with them.

Woeman, it would be nice if we could take the tubes off without cutting them but the fact is they twist and turn so much, we would have to remove the engine.  Remember they engine was completely assembled before it was put in the bike. 

Marty 

[X Ring]

isn't the desmog there to protect the environment?  why would we want to remove it.

Unfortunately, the system starts to malfunction as it gets old and adversely affects the performance of the engine which would lead to increased emissions.