another petcock question --- Problem Solved

[0leman]

I took a ride today with another member, Art.   Met him about 80 miles out and we rode around Crater Lake (no pic's today).  About 45 miles from my home, we parted company.

I had one major hill to ride over which has a passing lane.  There was a slow moving pickup with a large trailer attached about half way up.   I wanted to pass him before the top, so I gave the old lady the "Twist of the Wrist".   That is when I fell like I was running out of gas  (had half a tank according to gas gauge and miles since last fillup).   I reached down to turn the petcock to reserve.  That is when I discovered that it was set to off.  

I am assuming that I have a problem with the petcock, RIGHT!!  I should have never left town without noticing the valve was set to off, RIGHT???

I have purchased a "Cover Set" several months ago.  As of now I will plan on pulling the tank off and replacing the innards of the petcock.

[Blackduck]

If it was still flowing fuel in the off position it is either a misaligned petcock or the selector knob is not in the right position on the stem.

[BradValk48237]

Last petcock Problem I had had the exact same symptoms...... here was a crack in the diaphragm.....

Others here have said the same..... If ya got it replace it....

Brad

[gordonv]

Have you done any maintenance on the bike lately, removed the tank?

It sounds like you have a pinch vent tube, or a bad petcock.

[Ricky-D]

You must be riding with a full face helmet!

***

[0leman]

Have you done any maintenance on the bike lately, removed the tank?

It sounds like you have a pinch vent tube, or a bad petcock.

As soon as I turned the selector handle to "ON" position, Valk to off like normal.  No, I haven't had the tankoff in about a year.  (It is about time to do yearly check of air filter).   I was amazed that I could have ridden some 200 miles with the selector to "OFF" position.

You must be riding with a full face helmet!

***

Yes, Rick, I do wear a FF helmet.  What has that to do with petcock problem?

[sandy]

If you rode 200 miles with the petcock off, your petcock is leaking through when it shouldn't. A new cover set won't fix that. The reason you lost power on an uphill with full throttle is because your vacuum went to almost zero and the petcock closed down pinching off the small fuel flow that you had.

[Ricky-D]

Yes, Rick, I do wear a FF helmet.  What has that to do with petcock problem?

I can hear my motor when it just starts to flutter a little from the gasoline level beginning to get below the proper level as determined by the float assembly. Like if the petcock is shut "off".

With a full face helmet, I doubt you would hear that.

With a restricted gas flow, only one or two carburetors may be exhibiting a leanness which when severe enough will make the cylinders start to make a noise like a flutter.

Unlike a car, the Valkyrie doesn't just shut off because of no gas. It simply loses one carburetor after another until the motor can't run anymore.

***

[0leman]

Thanks to BlackDuck's comment, I got thinking yesterday.   I either have a bad selector or I didn't have the selector turn all the way off.   I say this because I had ridden for over 200 miles with the selector not on "ON".   It was only when I way going up a long steep hill that I noticied I wasn't getting enough gas.   My problem was not on the bladder side of the carb but the ON/OFF/RES side. 

Since it was a bit warm yesterday after coming to above decision, I wait till this morning in the cool, incase I had issues, to test out my theory.   I went for a short ride, turned the selector to "OFF", got a good click (Yes I could hear it with my FF Helmet).  The rode a bit, after about two miles,  Valk started running out of gas.  As I was on sort of a busy street, turned the selector to "ON".  Almost immediately she fired back up.  Tried it again on a less busy street with a rather steep hill this time.  Kept going till she ran out of gas in the carbs.  Did a U-turn, tried to bump start with selector to "OFF", nothing.  Turned the Selector to "ON",  bump her again.  She fired right up.

So It looks like I am a in line for a "Dumb Sh*t" Award.  Thanks for those who posted.

[Mallett]

Oleman, how do you go 200 miles without stopping for gas??..at about 105-110 miles I have to put mine on reserve. 

[0leman]

Oleman, how do you go 200 miles without stopping for gas??..at about 105-110 miles I have to put mine on reserve. 

Easy, live where there is mostly 55 mph roads, have a Interstate with nearly 7 gal of gas, and keep the speed under 65 indicated (gives me 36-38 mpg).   I generally start looking for gas around 180 miles or so.   I do look at maps of the areas I am going for a ride in, so know where I can get gas.  Some roads don't have towns for long ways.