It's official... I'm a DUMBASS!!!!!.....

[BradValk48237]

Yep.....Dumbass.....

Bought the Valk last year in July and loved it from the get go, but I noticed a gas/exhaust smell right off.... Thought, maybe running rich, carbs, leak etc.  So I took it to a local shop, had em Sync the carbs, look it over...blah blah blah..... they did the sync, checked it out and said it was fine. Took it home....still smelled fuel.... thought, well maybe thats just the way it is. I have had bikes since 12 and wrenched on em mostly my self. Sooooo in the fall, pulled the tank, airbox, changed the filter, made sure air box tubes were tight, exhaust torqued and tight, looked everything over and changed the petcock parts.....  STILL smelled...... Ran fine, idled good....  yadda yadda yadda.... Gas milage not great, but there were no leaks, even checked the gas cap.... couldn't find anything,  So I thought thats just the way it is.

Rode close to 10k this summer including Inzane and a trip to thet Dragon, still the smelly bike...Others even noticed it on rides..

Soooooo.... I get home today from riding and it was really getting to , so I pulled in the Garage and prepared to tear some stuff apart.....  As I was looking things over I reached down and hit one of the clamps on one of the intakes as I was pulling off the plug boot..... Guess what???

IT WAS LOOSE!!!!!!!    All of them were LOOSE!!!!!!!!


10 minutes with a wrench and the smell was gone.... went out for a ride and no smell!!!!

I also think I found about 10-20 more horse and I'll bet the milage goes up too....


DUMBASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


lol

Brad

[sugerbear]

don't think i understand...................none of us have EVER done that!!

glad you finally found it

[bigdog99]

i am your long lost cousin,  stu pi  dass. i guess its wrench time for me too. mine runs rich and thought that was most of it. i may check all of mine tomorrow.
thanks for the update cuz!
 

[big turkey]

Yes I have noticed this same gas smell and I will check those clamps.

Thanks for that tidbit that was so exsasperating for yah.

Gas Fumes and Bikes should not be mixed.

AL

[Garfield]

Same here, I smell gas all the time. Been thinking it was normal too. Thanks for the info.

[wildthang1949]

Smell here also......where are these loose clamps located and what do they do? Pics would be great.........

[NITRO]

They're the clamps on the boots that attach to the airbox. You have to remove the throttle linkage covers and lift the tank up to get at them. I had the same issue on my Standard a year ago, each of the clamps were finger loose.

[Valkahuna]

Thanks! 

Not so dumb after all. My IS smelled like gas also, though not real bad. I had slight looseness, allowing the clamps to "rock" back and forth slightly. Problem is that on the left side, I can't get to the screws on the front 2 intake runners without pulling the pods.

I'll tackle that another time!

[Valkahuna]

They're the clamps on the boots that attach to the airbox. You have to remove the throttle linkage covers and lift the tank up to get at them. I had the same issue on my Standard a year ago, each of the clamps were finger loose.

I don't think those are the ones he meant. I believe they are the ones that connect the intake runners to the carbs. If they were the top ones, you would not get a gas smell. There is only air up there!

[BradValk48237]

Actually, I'm talking about the clamps that are at the top of the intake riser that goes from the cylinder head to the carb..... there is a rubber mount at the bottom of the carb between and DOWN to the Polished/chrome intake. They are fairly easy to get at if they are angled right, I did have to remove one of the I/S pods to get at them all. They are not the boots on top of the carbs that connect to the airbox.

On the parts fiche for the cylinder head it is called the "manifold intake, Part #9" , there are actually 2 clamps on the "Carb insulator, Part #5", the upper and the lower, I only did the lowers. When i have the tank off this winter and can take the carb/intake runner cover off , will get to the uppers, but they all seemed tight to the touch. and the lowers I did tighten seemed to do the trick.

Don't have pics right now, but if anyone needs clarification, I will take and post.

B

[BradValk48237]

Correct Valkhuna!!!!

[BradValk48237]

Actually the pod comes off pretty easy...... 4 hex screws and a bit O wiggling.... 5 mins if you've done it before.... 15 to 30 min if new to it.....


B

[Valkahuna]

Actually the pod comes off pretty easy...... 4 hex screws and a bit O wiggling.... 5 mins if you've done it before.... 15 to 30 min if new to it.....

B

Thanks, that's what I've read. It is a matter of "holding your mouth right" and saying the same words over and over again.

[junior]

how does this work?

a group of lions is a pride

a group of geeese is a gaggle

a group of puppies is a litter

a group of cows is a heard


what do you call a group od dumb asses?

[Slyk Willy]

Actually the pod comes off pretty easy...... 4 hex screws and a bit O wiggling.... 5 mins if you've done it before.... 15 to 30 min if new to it.....

And when you put the pods back on, watch where each bolt goes... the longer one don't go into the radiator. Don't ask ;(s

[jrb]

A group of dumbasses is called congress

[Chrisj CMA]

A group of dumbasses is called congress

LOL  ok a note to congress.......there are 18 clamp screws (3 sets of 6)

-one set is readily visible

-one set you have to take the choke slide chrome covers off

-one set you have to tip the tank to the side to get to them

[Titan]

Thanks Brad!  When I first read your post I thought I might check mine since I've had problems for a couple of years with the way it ran at low speeds, particularly pulling away from a stop. Went for a ride today and didn't think to check. After a couple of hours I went back by the house and checked the screws and was amazed to find all 6 were very loose. Unbelievable! I tightened those suckers, went back out and found that had been my problem all along. Those 6 screws equaled a major tuneup!

I had the carbs synched at two dealerships thinking it would fix it. They were already in sync so it didn't help a bit.  And those %*%$*^ 6 screws have been the source of my aggravation for a long time.  So, sign me up for a class A membership in the DumbAss club! 

My Valk now performs like it did when I first got it! Yeee haaaa!!

[BradValk48237]

As President Dumbass...

 I am voting Congress an increase..... in HP>

B

[XB70 Pilot]

Brad,

Like my son is so quick to tell me when I call myself a dumbass.

"as long as you know"     

I think I will go check those screws now.

[BF]

A group of dumbasses is called congress

LOL  ok a note to congress.......there are 18 clamp screws (3 sets of 6)

-one set is readily visible

-one set you have to take the choke slide chrome covers off

-one set you have to tip the tank to the side to get to them

Ok Chris.......

I count 12 here......



Is this the other six.....at the bottom of the airbox tubes?



btw Chris......Terry at RaceTrack Power Sports is doing my rear wheel bearings.  150 bucks.  For 150, I said do it.   

[gomato@aol.com]

Just checked mine after smelling gas for some time............... All loose! thanks for clue.

GT

[donaldcc]

On the parts fiche for the cylinder head it is called the "manifold intake, Part #9" , there are actually 2 clamps on the "Carb insulator, Part #5", the upper and the lower, I only did the lowers.  

So you tightened bolt # 16 and nut # 8 on the lower # 7 (band) clamp? Will check mine also.

[Titan]

Since the bottom clamps were loose, and made a difference in how the bike runs after being tightened, does anyone think the top ones under the tank might also be loose? And would it likely be worth the trouble to get to them?

[Valkahuna]

Actually the pod comes off pretty easy...... 4 hex screws and a bit O wiggling.... 5 mins if you've done it before.... 15 to 30 min if new to it.....

And when you put the pods back on, watch where each bolt goes... the longer one don't go into the radiator. Don't ask ;(s

Thanks for the advice.

[BradValk48237]

I know its not the Airbox ones in my casem because I had those out in the spring and know they were tight...and still seem to be...... Also as someone said earlier,  the gas/carbs is under them, but you do get some blowback in the filter....mmmmm  

I just know the lowest ones were the loose ones.

B

[BF]

ttt

[Titan]

On a whim, I checked these screws again today and found them loose! WTH?

They weren't as loose as I found them Sunday but they were loose enough for about three turns. The bike has only been ridden about 80 miles since I tightened them. There shouldn't be enough vibration to ever work them loose and there's no pressure on them.

I tightened them down good and will check again after next ride. I can't imagine the need to check them all the time and keep tightening them.

[czuch]

Hey Brothers, foolass here and I've been smellin it too.
 Kinda wondered but everythings normal sooo..
I'll be checking mine when I do the rear wheel bearings also. Making a chirping noise.
Worse with the wife on board. Extra weight and all I suppose.
What, whats that,,,,, Coming honey, I gotta go.

[V-NAV]

Actually, I'm talking about the clamps that are at the top of the intake riser that goes from the cylinder head to the carb..... there is a rubber mount at the bottom of the carb between and DOWN to the Polished/chrome intake. They are fairly easy to get at if they are angled right, I did have to remove one of the I/S pods to get at them all. They are not the boots on top of the carbs that connect to the airbox.

On the parts fiche for the cylinder head it is called the "manifold intake, Part #9" , there are actually 2 clamps on the "Carb insulator, Part #5", the upper and the lower, I only did the lowers. When i have the tank off this winter and can take the carb/intake runner cover off , will get to the uppers, but they all seemed tight to the touch. and the lowers I did tighten seemed to do the trick.

Don't have pics right now, but if anyone needs clarification, I will take and post.
B

Hey Brad, I'm pretty new to Valk's, and trying to learn a few things.  Like yourself and a few others, I've been complaining about the fuel smell. I'm following most of the technical stuff in this thread, and I found the Shop Talk page where one can print the exploded view of the illustrated parts, but danged if I can find where the individual parts are identified by specific number and nomenclature like you referenced above.  Unless y'all have a different source, which is probably the case, I'm clueless as to how to find this missing piece of my puzzle.  BTW, all band clamps are loose on my bike too.

John

[donaldcc]

, but danged if I can find where the individual parts are identified by specific number and nomenclature like you referenced above.  Unless y'all have a different source, which is probably the case, I'm clueless as to how to find this missing piece of my puzzle.  BTW, all band clamps are loose on my bike too.

John

  Try this John.  Pick your year and model and you are in business.

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_select1.asp?cat=Motorcycles&mfg=Honda

[V-NAV]

Hey Don, thanks a lot.  Now I'll probably be up all night lookin' and printin'. 

John

[BradValk48237]

Thats exacly where I get my info and have printed up most of those. Between HDL, Clymer and this site, I have no trouble wrenching myself. This winter will be pulling the rear end apart Airbox, and I will also be replacing the gasket on the fuel cap...still get a little smell once in a while, but NOTHING like I had. AND the bike is performing WAAAAAYYY better and my fuel economy went up a few MPG. Also thinking about doing desmog, but doesn't seem to be an issue... and if it ain't broke........

BUT none of that happens until there is salt on the roads........

Brad

[BradValk48237]

Nice color on your IS BTW John!!!!!

B

[Duffy]

So my question is, if I don't smell gas, does that mean my screws are tight? 

I know that is a big opening for a smartass come back, so fire away...

[V-NAV]

Hey Brad, if it weren't for your original post I would have gone to Honda myself.  Sometimes fixes are way smaller/easier than we anticipate.  And BTW, I like the colors on your bike too.

I won't comment about Duffy's post.  The rest of you can have at him!

John

[Valk1520]

Thanks for the post.  I checked mine and found that all of the upper and lower clamps were loose.  I think it took 20 minutes to take the pods off and tighten the clamps.  My IS runs much better.  It runs much smoother when cold and no more gas smelling exhaust.  THANKS for stearing me towards this very easy fix.  Ride safe everyone!!

[Baldwin]

I checked mine as I was experiencing the same symptoms as you and found all of mine to loose also.  Thanks for posting this, it seems that it has helped quite a few of us out.

[GreenLantern57]

Got the ones I could reach this weekend. 6 for 6 loose. Will pull the tank this weekend and get the others. Already running smoother.

[bigfish_Oh]

I have the same fuel smell with my new to me '99 that I remembered with my '82 CBX. It always lingered on my clothes(A non smoking migraine sufferer detects very slight oders). I never thought nothing about, just wondered why no one else smelled it !!
that's gotta be  it !!! after over 25 years

thanks,Larry