More petcock/fuel line gremlins

[username23]

I'm obviously not the most mechanically inclined, but I do actually enjoy working on my bike. Anyway, as I mentioned in a different thread, I rebuilt the cover set for the petcock, but am still experiencing the same symptoms of lack of power at highway speeds, which feels like fuel starvation.  I pulled the tank again today and found a couple of cracked fuel line hoses, which I replaced. I'm hoping that solves my problem. My question today has to do with the cover set rebuild: when I attempted to drain the tank (already off the bike, and after the rebuild) the fuel didn't flow at all when I opened the petcock. Is that as it should be? Does it require vacuum? Or did I rebuild the cover set backwards?

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

David

[fudgie]

Yes, it needs vac to operate the flow.

[Tundra]

Certainly don't want to start this whole Pingle thing...Been there, done that. Those petcocks are great until their not. Rebuilt mine three times in two years. I just plain got fed up with messing with it. All the Valkyrie riders that I ride with have had zero problems with stock petcock as many others. I just know that when I started having problems, they were consistant and annoying. Yes, all my vacuum and rubber is new on my bike, nothing old cracked or rotted.
  My sollution was a mechanical fuel valve. Hope you solve your problem.

Your question, Yes it requires vacuum to flow. Theres a nipple on the side of the petcock, stick your number six vacuum line on it and suck gently to open the diaphram, then you should have fuel flow.

[username23]

So I ordered a Pingel yesterday. Hoping that settles it for fuel issues. After ordering I took the bike out just to see if I could get anywhere, and about 7 miles up the highway the bike not only acted like it was starved for fuel, it completely died (with over 3 gallons in the tank.) I really did NOT feel like pushing it home, so I opened the choke... and rode all the way back home. I'm stumped. Are my fuel issues related to something other than the petcock? Am I getting too much air/not enough fuel into the carbs? Is that why opening the choke got me home?

[R J]

Sounds like you just might have a kinked vent line..........

Make sure all the lines to and from the tank are open and straight.

To check for a kinked hose, take your extra key with ya.
When it acts like it is running out of fuel, pop the gas cap open, and it should refurbish itself and take off....

Also, if you want to run it  till it is totally dead, do so and stop.  Listen real close as you open the cap, it should do a swoosh from a vacuum lock.   Fix it there, or leave cap loose and head for home......     LONG needle nosed pliers, one with the curved blades work best........    Straighten out your lines and head out again.

PS:   You are not the 1st one to kink a line, and you sure won't be the last one.

[fudgie]

+1 on what RJ said. Seems about right on miles for the vent problem. Wedge someting like heavy paper between the gas cap and shut it and go for a ride. Or use another key and open it when it starts to sputter. On the good side at least you did good on the Pingle. Be proactive instead of reactive.