Coolant and gas leak... And I'm new here

[MotoX]

Hey guys, first post and new to Valkyries. I just picked up a 97 Valkyrie a couple weekends back. Weather hasn't really cooperated to let me put more than five miles on it but I am super stoked to have a Valkyrie. I bought the bike with just over 89k and it's not the cleanest specimen but not bad and I enjoy cleaning up bikes.
I have one issue already that I'm trying to track down. My bike leaks a bit of coolant out an overflow hose. There is a group of hoses that drops below the bike right near where the swingarm meets the frame. I check the level of the radiator and it's maybe an inch below the top (I can just see the fins) and the overflow tank is just below the low line. I topped both off and it more or less poured out that tube after a short ride. Just wondering there is something else I need to dive into or check?
It also leaks a bit of gas and I'm going to trace a few lines but I'm thinking it's more of something like a cracked fuel line.
I'm going to get it warmed up and change engine and final drive oil, any other tricks or things to check on these that aren't the norm? This isn't my first bike but it is my first Valkyrie.

[3W-lonerider]

as far as the antifreeze leaving the radiator and going to the overflow all the time.
remove your radiator cap and bend the tabs on the cap towards the top of the cap. don't go belistic with them just bend them maybe 1/16 of and inch
when you put it back on you should have to push it down to get it to turn all the way.
your  cap isn't getting a good seal down at the second gasket and its pushing up past it.
if there is a screw in the side of the cap, make sure you remove it before trying to remove the cap.
if that does;nt work i'd say you need a new cap.

[Jersey]

Regarding the Gas leak.  You're bike is a bit old and depending on how it was kept by the PO you may want to consider a complete review of the gas flow... including the petcock, fuel lines, etc.  If the leak is from the carb area, then a rebuild might be a consideration to replace the o-rings.

IF you do consider replacing the fuel lines, may want to read up on desmog and Dan Marc fuel solenoid.  The second is valuable in it will almost completely eliminate any chance of hydrolock.

https://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Fuel_Shutoff/fuel_shutoff.html

http://www.dan-marc.com/79-afc11112.html

Hope that helps!

Jersey

[Skinhead]

Until you get your gas leak figured out, be very careful starting your bike.  Bump the start button briefly and if it clunks or fails to turn over, STOP!  Remove the spark plugs and with the bike in gear roll it to expel any gas in the cylinders, you can also crank it using the starter, but be careful you don't get a spark that will ignite the gas.

The above will prevent costly damage due to hydro lock if gas is leaking into the cylinders.

[MarkT]

You have a lot of reading to do.  Use the searchg engine separately on "splines" or "Moly", "hydrolock" or "Dan-Marc", "yoke" or "U-joint", "wheel bearings" especially "double row mod".  Remember to change all fluids. You might be interested in "darkside"  especially "austone".  Look at the rear end maintenance with the splines first - likely it will be in bad shape.  Also look at the "jersey shifter support mod".

[MotoX]

Sweet thanks for all the info. I've dealt with hydrolocking in the past, my old bike was famous for it so used to doing a bump before starting but I'll definitely look into that mod and all the other suggestions! Thanks for the tip on the cap.
It is already running darkside so I'll try it that way for now and as long as I don't have any issues I'll probably stay that way.

[gordonv]

+1 MarkT

Go into Shoptalk and read the one on known Valkyrie Problems.

DON'T start fixing things yet. The fuel leak may go away after fuel has been introduced and the seals swell and seal again.

The rad is good advise, but the over flow tank isn't overflowing, so where's it coming from.

These hoses under the bike by the kick stand, are the drain from the air box, the vent line from the tank, and the fuel drain hose, IF I'm right. The large line with the plug in the end, remove the plug and let the liquid drain, then seal it again. Shouldn't be anything in there again for a long time.

[sandy]

The coolant expansion tank has an overflow under the swingarm. Motox says he topped both up which would cause the expansion tank to overflow when it warmed up.

[MotoX]

So I did the radiator cap and then started to track the fuel issue and found that the petcock was leaking and loose. I decided to remove the tank to get a better look and fix it and when I did, I found the on off handle was cracked and about to fall off and the petcock was leaking be because it wasn't tight. I went ahead and tightened it but the orings are shot because it still leaks. It's not leaking into the fuel line but dripping from the valve itself. I ordered a new one and am hoping it shows up asap because Friday sounds like the perfect day to ride and I NEED to ride this thing.

Does anyone install the Dan Marc without a standard petcock? Like going directly to the tank? Just thinking that might be a clean look with maybe an on off switch hidden somewhere.

[MarkT]

I installed a Pingel petcock with a Dan-marc screwed in a brass T replacing the plastic barbed T - which is shorter hardware than the plastic T with a barb fitting and another barb fitting on the Dan-marc. That provides enough fuel line flex to ease slipping the line onto the petcock for frequent access of R&Ring the tank and allows installing the fuel line with no dips or loops. (Don't do that - level or downhill only; otherwise you get air bubbles blocking fuel flow.)  Used the larger 1/4" orifice DM to stop fuel starvation.  It's wired using a latch relay powered by the B/W wire coming off the kill sw (same wire is connected to the coils and the ECM box). A blue LED is wired in parallel with the DM to show it's powered. A momentary-on hidden pushbutton triggers the latch relay to turn it on. It must be activated just after the engine is started.  If you forget it will sputter in a mile.  This provides fuel security against theft, hijacks, and tipovers.  The kill sw, ignition off by key, or the tipover relay then kills the fuel flow.

Never heard of your suggestion re: no petcock.  Not a good idea IMHO.  You need the screen as a rudimentary filter not to mention the reserve fn.

[The emperor has no clothes]

So I did the radiator cap and then started to track the fuel issue and found that the petcock was leaking and loose. I decided to remove the tank to get a better look and fix it and when I did, I found the on off handle was cracked and about to fall off and the petcock was leaking be because it wasn't tight. I went ahead and tightened it but the orings are shot because it still leaks. It's not leaking into the fuel line but dripping from the valve itself. I ordered a new one and am hoping it shows up asap because Friday sounds like the perfect day to ride and I NEED to ride this thing.

Does anyone install the Dan Marc without a standard petcock? Like going directly to the tank? Just thinking that might be a clean look with maybe an on off switch hidden somewhere.

I have never seen anybody do that. I think having a petcock along with the screen makes better sense. It's not really going to clean up the look, as you don't really see it much.

[9Ball]

MotoX...you should add a location to your profile so that if you need help there may be someone local to assist.

Welcome and good luck with your Valkyrie...