Valkyrie flaw

[shooter64]

I just read 130 pages on another Valk forum about petcock problems. All the way back to 2004. People have had many broken starters and many broken cases due to petcock problems. I was just lucky when I had hydrolock (maybe should be called fuel lock) Mine had the clunk right away and with the gas smell and the info gained from this forum I realized what it was. Now, I check my petcock to be sure it is closing and turn it off 2 miles before I get home to drain the line. I know people have fixed the problem with the electric shut off and the pingel. Others have gone 100k miles with no problems. But there have been many to have major problems over this simple thing. I was just lucky when it happened to me. I am super aware of it and always on the lookout for it.

[X Ring]

Just realize you'll never see anyone start a thread saying I didn't have hydrolock today.  For every case of hydrolock you read about there's a lot more that haven't had it.

Marty

[Patrick]

There certainly has been enough info on this problem over the years.. Its just one of the few things that need to be thought about or looked after with these monsters.. It just appears that the more these critters are run the less the chance for the fuel-lock.. The more good clean fuel run thru these the better,, it doesn't take much to hang a float open..

[Chrisj CMA]

I knew after the first 5 minutes of my first look at a new Valkyrie that the OEM petcock was going to be trouble.  All I can say is that if its working great be careful turning the selector knob, make sure the ball snaps in place.  Once it starts to mess up GET RID OF IT and get a quality piece that has no diaphrams to wear out.  Usually the first sign of problems is either a slow recovery when going to reserve or a suspected fuel starvation problem that you cannot pin down, you think maybe the vent to the tank is plugged or theres a vacuum leak until it gets worse and worse and it will get worse and worse.  

[Sodbuster]

Just realize you'll never see anyone start a thread saying I didn't have hydrolock today.  For every case of hydrolock you read about there's a lot more that haven't had it.

Marty

Good point. As is the case with a lot of what is brought up on any forum board, you always hear much about the bad and not so much the good.

[NCGhostrider]

I have never had problems with mine, but I maintain my bike, and pulled the valve a year or so ago and replaced all the parts. 

I remember early on (2000) or so, that everyone was real concerned about the drive splines.  They had started failing that early for some of the riders that put lots of miles on their bikes.  I almost didn't buy my valk because of it. 

Twelve years later, I haven't had any problems and my splines looked great last year when I changed back to a triple tread. 

My only gripe is fuel economy, and I would have that, but the first I/S I had got at least 7-9 mpg better than this one.  I have done everything I can imagine, but it just wont do any better than 32. I really don't mind that, I just hate having to stop and fill up when it dictates instead of when my bladder dictates!    But it sure runs good!!!!

see ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[sugerbear]

yea, those cheap ass stock petcocks. only last what 10-12 years?  wtf was honda thinking.

if they were meant to be turned off and on every time you ride, i'm guessing they would have put a manual valve on.

kinda like the riders that rap the throttle at stop signs. not necessary but that's how we have always done it.

ok flame suit on. go ahead.

[custom1]

I think having six float bowl needles to fail is at least half as much to blame as the petcock.

Maybe we should remove the six carbs and install EFI.

Shooter, when you had your hydro did you determine which float bowl needle is not sealing and did you fix it? Also what exactly was wrong with the petcock? When the system is functioning correctly the fuel would have to get by the manual shutoff ball and the vacuum/spring operated diaphragm and then one or more float needles.

[shooter64]

I think having six float bowl needles to fail is at least half as much to blame as the petcock.

Maybe we should remove the six carbs and install EFI.

Shooter, when you had your hydro did you determine which float bowl needle is not sealing and did you fix it? Also what exactly was wrong with the petcock? When the system is functioning correctly the fuel would have to get by the manual shutoff ball and the vacuum/spring operated diaphragm and then one or more float needles.

In my case, I actually can't blame the petcock. I have only had my Valk a month and I should have read more on these forums before I started messing with stuff. I installed a full size automotive fuel filter in the fuel line between the petcock and the carbs. So, that big filter was AFTER the petcock. All of the fuel in the filter had already been admitted through the petcock. I was just lucky I didn't break anything. Most of the threads I read were people that left their petcock on all the time and hoped the diaphram would stop the fuel flow when the engine was off and there was no vacuum. Some, though had the petcock off and still had a problem. I was just saying that every owner needs to be aware of the potential problem. A $25 part can cause $3000 damage. (some of the people got broken starter teeth and also broke the case in the engine when they hit the starter) It is still the best cruiser out there.

[NITRO]

The petcock on my Standard never failed. With my 2000 Interstate, it failed twice in less than a year. Once it was slowly failing (I could pull over and wait a few minutes and she would fire up again), the second time it failed instantly with now warning (I had ridden around 250 miles earlier that day). The rebuilt petcock failed after less than 10,000 miles.

Rebuilding is a relatively easy job that I can accomplish along the road with tools I always carry on the cycle, but it is a PITA to have to deal with it.