Hydrolock Issue

[Rio Wil]

At the risk of being naive, isn't the hydrolock issue common to all makes of motorcycles that use a  gravity feed fuel system and carbs.  Fuel tank sets above the engine, an open petcock and a leaky/stuck open carb float......fills the cylinder with fuel and presto locko.

[roboto65]

Yep for the most part you are correct IF and thats IF the float valve does not do It's job yes any bike will Hydrolock what makes it bad on the Valk is the weak rear case and gears. 

But you never hear of the issue with them other bikes that is I alway wondered myself because what you say makes sense. 

Now what does not make sense is why the Valk float valve fails more than say any other bike or if it does !!

[Friagabi]

Not all bikes have a intake manifold that runs downhill to the cylinders. My old BSA 250 used to leak out of the air claner rather than produce a hydrolock. Not fun when you come out and find one or two gallons of fuel soaked into the ground. But always fun if someone lights the puddle.

[Chrisj CMA]

Yep for the most part you are correct IF and thats IF the float valve does not do It's job yes any bike will Hydrolock what makes it bad on the Valk is the weak rear case and gears. 

But you never hear of the issue with them other bikes that is I alway wondered myself because what you say makes sense. 

Now what does not make sense is why the Valk float valve fails more than say any other bike or if it does !!

Thats a strange way to state the situation.  The Valkyrie has a different configuration that may make hydrolock more likely but the gears in the motor are stronger than most bikes.  Its the starter that wreaks havock on the gears, remember this is the same starter that is designed to power the reverse system in the 1500 Wing and the Japanese export Valkyries.  That starter is strong enough to rip teeth off any gear made.  So yes the gear is too "weak" (as you say) to witihstand that starter but no gear would hold up.

[Patrick]

You need to look at the design of the inlet system,, not all will fuel lock.. Fuel is lazy, almost as lazy as electricity, it'll take the easiest path available.. The easiest path on our bikes just happens to be straight to the backside of an intake valve..

[roboto65]

Now do get me wrong I LOVE my Valk thru thick and thin   but the rearcase and gears are sunject to breakage.     I mean it is a known thing about the Valk.  But I do not follow the Goldwings forums nor do I read about them so do not know if this is a common thing among the flat 6 Honda engine design but I have read about it on the Valk and mine is among the new case and gear Valks.    The PO had it fixed before I bought the bike!!!

[Ricky-D]

That's crazy!!

Where on earth did you get that from?

Sounds like a sales pitch when you were buying the bike.

***

[Garland]

I think that having six carbs magnifies the potential for the problem, in that respect I think the Valkyrie is unique.

[dreamaker]

Myself, ever since the issue of hydro-lock came up I became a little paranoid about it. So naturally I replaced the diaphragm, but a few times I forgot to turn off the gas.  So what I did is put a switch on the plastic on/off valve switch to a red super bright blinking LED. This will blink when the bike is off and the gas is left on in either the reserve or on position. It gets my attention.

Dan

[Patrick]

Ya know,, that blinking light is a good idea.. I likes it.. But,, what happens if you don't notice that light and when you come back you're fuel-locked with a dead battery..

[dreamaker]

First, the LED I buy are very bright even in direct sun light and they use very little current. This is only a guess, but I am willing to think if you would put the LED on a cycle battery I bet it would still be blinking in a week. Maybe enough juice to start the bike.  That's why people use LEDs because they use little current. That is why I use LEDs on my bike to minimise the current loads on my battery and alternator. So I would have to say if you couldn't see this LED you shouldn't be riding the bike because your legally blind.   LOL   But that's just me.

Dan