Fuel filter

[Tundra]

For those of you running an in-line fuel filter...What type are you using? Will this restrict fuel flow at all?  How often do you change them? Has anyone opened one up and looked inside to see what kind of junk it's catching?
  I'm strongly thinking of adding one, seeing as I had my tank off three times this year and each time my screen was just about plugged with red colored sediment along with rust in the bottom of my tank. The rust is not from my tank, must be picking it up from the gas stations?

[Patrick]

I use a plain ole in-line filter that can be had at any fuel filter store.. Are you using the original petcock and fuel lines??  Then I force fit a 3/8" into the hoses..

[AussieValk]

I was running a large plastic filter that suited a Toyota (it was one of the few configurations with the inlet and outlet pipes in the right location and size) made by Ryco. I had numerous problems with the bike seemingly running out of fuel although this happened before I put the filter on as well. Changed petcock kit and problem still occurred, checked vaclines and all ok. Removed filter and petcock and replaced with Pingel and runs like a charm now. I don't see a need to put the inline filter back in with the stronger filter of the Pingel. I figure those carbs need as much fuel as they can get with as little flow restriction as possible. JMO.

[fudgie]

I use a small silver looking one from auto zone. I change it every spring. I hardley ever have anything on my petcock screen but do check it every few years.

[Ricky-D]

The fine screen that comes on the petcock is more than adequate to stop the junk that would foul the needle and seat in the carburetor.

There is however no substitute for 'peace of mind'!

Jus sayin'

***

[alph]

The fine screen that comes on the petcock is more than adequate to stop the junk that would foul the needle and seat in the carburetor.

There is however no substitute for 'peace of mind'!

Jus sayin'

***

agree.  the filter in the tank is good enough. 

[John U.]

My experience with a rusty tank and rust clogged slow jets led me to install a Golan fuel filter. Of course I cleaned and coated the tank but I won't rely on the petcock screen; one failure was enough.
If it will pass enough rust to clog the slow jets, I can't trust it not to screw up the float valve.

[John Schmidt]

Because before I installed my manual Pingel, I extended the length of the pickup tube inside the tank and the filter screen no longer fit.

[Robert]

If the stock setup was ok then I'm sure we would hear much less about hydrolock and I have taken my carbs apart and found junk in the bowls that maybe isn't physically big enough to hold open the float valve but it can stop it from sealing. The problem is that most filters to be effective need to be in the 10 micron range and that is quite small. For a gravity feed that may not work so, I put a Pingle filter that was sintered bronze and that worked ok but it was 50 micron which most sintered broze filters are but at least it was better than nothing. Now that I have a belly tank with the pump I have a regular in line paper filter and it works great. If you get the largest filter possible and although it may not filter to well at least the bottom of the filter will serve like a fuel bowl and some particles will drop out to the bottom of the filter. You can make your own by buying a stainless sheet  or stainless screening with holes in the 10 micron range and putting it inside a filter housing made for the sintered bronze. This will get you the small particle filter and you can clean it by cleaning the screen.

[John U.]

The Golan filters claim 10 micron, and minimal restriction. I have had no trouble with starvation at full throttle or speeds just over 100. I haven't taken the filter apart in the three seasons it's been in use. Maybe I've just been luck enough to buy clean gas

[X Ring]

Now that I have a belly tank with the pump I have a regular in line paper filter and it works great.

Actually, you've got 2 filters with your belly tank.  One between the pickup and the pump and the other between the pump and the carbs.

Marty 

[Valkpilot]

If the stock setup was ok then I'm sure we would hear much less about hydrolock ...

We hear a lot about hydraulic lockup, but how many have actually experienced it?

My understanding is that all of these events must occur:

1) Petcock failure
2) Clogged float
3) The cylinder for the carb with the clogged float must be on the compression stroke

Odds are against the occurence of lockup.

I seriously curious:  Of the 48,000 plus Valkyries built (not counting the Rune), how many cases have actually been reported?

[FLAVALK]

If the stock setup was ok then I'm sure we would hear much less about hydrolock ...

We hear a lot about hydraulic lockup, but how many have actually experienced it?

My understanding is that all of these events must occur:

1) Petcock failure
2) Clogged float
3) The cylinder for the carb with the clogged float must be on the compression cycle

Odds are against the occurence of lockup.

I seriously curious:  Of the 48,000 plus Valkyries built (not counting the Rune), how many cases have actually been reported?

You are correct, most bikes will never hyrdolock...but if your's happens to be one that does, I'll bet a paycheck that after the cost and aggravation that's experienced to get it fixed, you will (1) get rid of the crappy OEM petcock and (2) install a $3 inline fuel filter.

[Valkpilot]

You are correct, most bikes will never hyrdolock...but if your's happens to be one that does, I'll bet a paycheck that after the cost and aggravation that's experienced to get it fixed, you will (1) get rid of the crappy OEM petcock and (2) install a $3 inline fuel filter.

I'm not arguing against petcock maintenance, I'm just pointing out that the hydrolock boogeyman isn't hiding under every bed.

[Friagabi]

I'm with Valkpilot, Bet there have been about as many problems with the factory petcock.

I'm one filter past factory and clean out the tank with each airfilter service. No real problems and have some less worry. Do check that the petcock works a couple of times each year. Takes about a 1/2 mile at 60mph and she complains about nothing to burn. And of course every Valk should not be starved. A starving Valk could bite you. And she has been after all called a fat lady. So she and I make sure enough fuel flows more than once each year. She never fails to remind me she can scare me when the world passes by faster than my eyes can focus.

[valkyriemc]

The Golan filters claim 10 micron, and minimal restriction. I have had no trouble with starvation at full throttle or speeds just over 100. I haven't taken the filter apart in the three seasons it's been in use. Maybe I've just been luck enough to buy clean gas

I have the same filter, its not cheap but I like the idea of filtering fine particles that I found residing in tank and carb bowls. I think I put it in around 2003? In addition to yearly tank and filter clean outs,
I keep the tank full to deal with wide swings in temperature here in NE Fla.

[junior]

You are correct, most bikes will never hyrdolock...but if your's happens to be one that does, I'll bet a paycheck that after the cost and aggravation that's experienced to get it fixed, you will (1) get rid of the crappy OEM petcock and (2) install a $3 inline fuel filter.

I'm not arguing against petcock maintenance, I'm just pointing out that the hydrolock boogeyman isn't hiding under every bed.

have you ever seen the hydrolock boogy man?

[Patrick]

I've been fuel-locked.. No damage due to starting practices.. This was pre- filter and pre-Pingle.. I've always turned off the fuel.. I can't say it wouldn't happen again, but.......... it hasn't yet..

[Valkpilot]

have you ever seen the hydrolock boogy man?

Exactly my point.

[Sodbuster]

Question to those that have installed the Pingle or Golan fuel filter:
Are you installing these immediately adjacent to the petcock or farther down stream ?? In other words where is the easiest spot to put it ??

[fudgie]

Question to those that have installed the Pingle or Golan fuel filter:
Are you installing these immediately adjacent to the petcock or farther down stream ?? In other words where is the easiest spot to put it ??

You only have about 8" of line to play with. Any where in there is fine.

[Tropic traveler]

Well, I'll answer 2 questions here.
Yes, I have experienced the dreaded "hydrolock boogeyman". Lucky for me no mechanical damage occurred.  Root cause of my hydrolock was rust in the gas tank. The supposedly adequate stock filter screen was not adequate enough in my case. Middle carb on the left bank was the offender. Came out one Sunday morning for a ride, hit the start button...CLUNK. So I hopped on the Rocket 3 and went for a ride. Came back that evening, she started up & shot raw gas out the left pipe. Ran rough but ran. Checked the oil, it was overfull & smelled of gas. Pulled the carbs, all were nasty, & changed the float & the needle/seat assembly on the offender.
Obviously three things had to fail in order for this to occur. Petcock got replaced with a new Honda unit, tank got cleaned & coated, and after the carb clean I added a fuel filter. To be fair the hydrolock happened at 78,000 miles on an eleven year old Valkyrie.

Gunked up carb bowl. This is AFTER I wiped it out a bit with a rag. All 6 were nasty.



This is the filter I added. Mid 70's Ford 2V carb inline. All metal, 5/16 connectors.


The only "problem" I've had is an occasional early reserve thing. Sometimes it will "run out of gas" at 90-110 miles. I switch it to reserve for a mile or so then go back & it goes the rest of the way normal. Seems to happen more in the summer.  ???
98,000+ now & no problems have re-occurred.
 

[John U.]

Sodbuster, as in the pics by Tropic taveler, I installed my filter close to the tee. I also installed a quick disconnect so i really had no choice.

[valkyriemc]

Well, I'll answer 2 questions here.
Yes, I have experienced the dreaded "hydrolock boogeyman". Lucky for me no mechanical damage occurred.  Root cause of my hydrolock was rust in the gas tank. The supposedly adequate stock filter screen was not adequate enough in my case. Middle carb on the left bank was the offender. Came out one Sunday morning for a ride, hit the start button...CLUNK. So I hopped on the Rocket 3 and went for a ride. Came back that evening, she started up & shot raw gas out the left pipe. Ran rough but ran. Checked the oil, it was overfull & smelled of gas. Pulled the carbs, all were nasty, & changed the float & the needle/seat assembly on the offender.
Obviously three things had to fail in order for this to occur. Petcock got replaced with a new Honda unit, tank got cleaned & coated, and after the carb clean I added a fuel filter. To be fair the hydrolock happened at 78,000 miles on an eleven year old Valkyrie.

Gunked up carb bowl. This is AFTER I wiped it out a bit with a rag. All 6 were nasty.



This is the filter I added. Mid 70's Ford 2V carb inline. All metal, 5/16 connectors.


The only "problem" I've had is an occasional early reserve thing. Sometimes it will "run out of gas" at 90-110 miles. I switch it to reserve for a mile or so then go back & it goes the rest of the way normal. Seems to happen more in the summer.  ???
98,000+ now & no problems have re-occurred.
 

Great self explanatory picts, the much talked about crud in carbs. So how good is the stock, in tank filter? How about not good enough....

[FLAVALK]

You are correct, most bikes will never hyrdolock...but if your's happens to be one that does, I'll bet a paycheck that after the cost and aggravation that's experienced to get it fixed, you will (1) get rid of the crappy OEM petcock and (2) install a $3 inline fuel filter.

I'm not arguing against petcock maintenance, I'm just pointing out that the hydrolock boogeyman isn't hiding under every bed.

have you ever seen the hydrolock boogy man?

Yes, and he ain't pretty. I purchased a Valk several years ago that was hydro-locked with damage...repaired it, rode it for a year and sold it. I also experienced it first hand on my current Valk about two years ago...hit the starter slightly and..CLUNK...but without damage. Pulled the plugs, hit the starter and shot gas several feet out of #6. I pulled the tank and found rust/gunk in the tank, screen, carb bowls. Cleaned it all up, installed a Pingle, #38 slows and an inline fuel filter. I am very aware of the boogy man

[Sodbuster]

dang, y'all got me all paranoid with all this talk about the "boogie-man". I bit the bullet and ordered a Pingel 1311-CH from easternperformance and a Pingel in-line filter from BikeBandit. I've only had a Valkyrie now for 7 months and has only 21K miles on it.  Figured I'd nip the bud on this whole issue by replacing the darm OEM petcock and be done with it.

I got to thinking about the bike sitting out in the cold garage these last 3 months (valve turned to OFF) and now I'm wondering if it's possible that gas could have leaked down into the cylinders ?.  Prolly a good idea to pull the plugs to be on the safe side before I start the season and before I install the new Pingel parts ..... paranoia setting in 

Also, I'd be curious to know if anyone has experienced a hydro-lock happening after installing a Pingel petcock.

[FLAVALK]

dang, y'all got me all paranoid with all this talk about the "boogie-man". I bit the bullet and ordered a Pingel 1311-CH from easternperformance and a Pingel in-line filter from BikeBandit. I've only had a Valkyrie now for 7 months and has only 21K miles on it.  Figured I'd nip the bud on this whole issue by replacing the darm OEM petcock and be done with it.

I got to thinking about the bike sitting out in the cold garage these last 3 months (valve turned to OFF) and now I'm wondering if it's possible that gas could have leaked down into the cylinders ?.  Prolly a good idea to pull the plugs to be on the safe side before I start the season and before I install the new Pingel parts ..... paranoia setting in 

Also, I'd be curious to know if anyone has experienced a hydro-lock happening after installing a Pingel petcock.

Sure you can hyrolock with a pingle. I have the manual version and if I don't turn it off...every time...the same scenario could possibly occur.  I have a bad, bad habit of shutting the valve off about 1/2 mile from the house.....I do it every single time without fail....it's a habit.

[Tropic traveler]

Even having experienced petcock failures on both our Valks I'm still not ready to give up on the stock Honda unit. As I said before, the petcock failed on my Valk at 78,000+ miles and 11 years of age. ALL parts made with rubber are suspect on ANY vehicle at that age and/or mileage. Petcock failure alone will NOT necessarily mean hydrolock. Trash under the needle & seat causes more problems than just a potential hydrolock, I should have heeded the warning that my Valk gave me on that issue. About a year before the hydrolock issue I had the same carb overflow while I was riding. I drained some fuel from the bowl & was on my way. I assume the trash under the needle & seat passed through. If I would have checked out my fuel tank then I'm sure the hydrolock would have never happened.
After buying Kim's low mile Valk, a '98 with only 13,700 miles in October of 2008, I noticed {among other things related to sitting} the petcock was not working. The problem was really only 1,700 miles ridden in the previous 7 years!  Hydolock never happended on her bike. I did not add a fuel filter to her bike as the tank looked way cleaner than mine was but I did rebuild the petcock. Works fine 1 1/2 years & 8,000 miles later.
Moral{s} of my story is, don't be so hard on the stock Honda petcock. They have worked great for many of us for a very long time. also, there is no substitute for keeping up the maintenence on your Valk.
Based on my experiences I would be more concerned with the cleanliness of the gas tank than the petcock.
Just my 2 cents. 

[valkyriemc]

For those of you running an in-line fuel filter...What type are you using? Will this restrict fuel flow at all?  How often do you change them? Has anyone opened one up and looked inside to see what kind of junk it's catching?
  I'm strongly thinking of adding one, seeing as I had my tank off three times this year and each time my screen was just about plugged with red colored sediment along with rust in the bottom of my tank. The rust is not from my tank, must be picking it up from the gas stations?

I started with the pingle @ 40 micron;

http://www.jpcycles.com/search/productdetail?sku=720-824&N=274936&Ntt=&Ntk=&Ne=274366&Nao=0&Ns=DefaultSort&fitment=1&brand=0&results=100

Then I switched to the 10 micron Golan;
 
http://www.jpcycles.com/search/productdetail?sku=720-280&N=274936&Ntt=&Ntk=&Ne=274366&Nao=50&Ns=DefaultSort&fitment=1&brand=0&results=100