fUEL STARVATION?

[Chuck K. #5458]

A few times (4-6) while riding in Florida this past winter I experienced what appeared to be the bike running out of fuel. I would switch to reserve on the petcock and it for the most part and most of the time would not continue to run. I would pull to the side of the road and begin futzing around, a technical term, trying to find something. Finding nothing, after a few minutes I would begin cranking and usually after a period of time (1-5 min. intermittently) it would refire and run for the next period of time. It is not a pinched vent line nor a leaking/loose vacuum line as it is not regular enough to diagnose. As far as I can tell my OEM petcock is functioning properly. I have replaced the fuel line with Red-Eye's replacement do no pinches. I am thinking about removing the diaphram in the petcock and only use the On-Off_Reserve portion. I would like to retain the OEM petcock due to its location and look/function with the aftermarket hanger covers. This is a very intermittant problem and occurs at inopportune times, on the road, so working on and finding the cause is tough. Any thoughts or insites or has anyone experienced a similar problem. Thanks for any/all responses. By the way, I have rebuilt the petcock in the past and took it appart recently again to look for leaks in the diaphram.

[TJ]

You already know what it is... Your fuel line is too long and it pinches shut with it gets hot...

[Daniel Meyer]

Check the tank vent line for kinks or clogs. Even pinched, it won't be regular...conditions have to be right before it kills the bike.

[Chuck K. #5458]

Check out Red-Eye Tech's fuel line-pretty much impossible to kink so not the problem.
Last time it occurred we were on a 1200 mile trip and it happened once, multiple fuel fills, most tanks were run close to reserve and NO tank removal. A pinched vent line would have shown up sooner or more often. Also no vacuume on the tank when filling.
Any other thoughts?

[John Schmidt]

I go along with TJ. Leaving all the excuses aside as to why it isn't the fuel line, I've seen more than one case where the quick disconnect has been used and in some cases has not been used, but the fuel line isn't running "downhill" all the way from the petcock to the "T". And, often when the line gets warm from engine heat it will droop a bit, causing a low spot that won't cause trouble with a fairly full tank. But, as the tank empties and the weight of the fuel in the line is less, it can't overcome that droop. And, it doesn't have to be much of a low spot either to cause starvation.

It is entirely possible the internal workings of your petcock also is malfunctioning; i.e., not seating fully into either the "on" or "reserve" position. Were it my bike, I'd try a different petcock. Just removing the diaphragm won't prove anything if the internal workings aren't seating properly.

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

When it occurs again, open the tank cap and reclose and try to start again right away. If it starts then you know your vent line is kinking or clogged. You can also use a wire tie under the cap to allow it to vent there and see if it fixes the problem. GL  

[R J]

When you put the Red Eye, I think it was called, did you cut the lines the same exact length or add a little?

If ya added a little, you best go back and cut that extra off.

Remember, these Valkyrie's DO NOT have a fuel pump unless ya got a belly tank.    So, every hose has to be in the line to let the gas go downhill, when ya add a little to the line, it makes it go uphill somewhere.     When bike isn't super hot, it works fine as far as you can tell.

I stood in the middle of the road in FL once due to one of those firkin easy disconnect pieces of dung.   I also, stood out here cussing like a drunken sailor, as I was removing the damn disconnect.    I'd bet I sweat off 10 #'s out in that sun and heat, plus very high humidity.   I just happened to find it yesterday in the bottom of my right saddle bag.   It went directly into the trash barrel.   If you need a disconnect, you are screwing around with the tank on and off tooooooooo much.

[hillbilly]

I put a quick disconnect on my Interstate and experienced the same symptoms. Just like I was running out of gas but showing 1/4 tank on guage. Removed the quick connect and problem gone.