First question of the day. Where's my gas going?

[mike72903]

Been meaning to ask this for a while but never remember.  Another post about the engine running with the petcock off reminded me.  Like several responses to that post report a few minutes or miles of engine time with the petcock in the off position I do as well.  Except, if I turn the petcock off when I'm done riding then the next day or so when I start the engine I can't even get it backed out of the garage before the engine dies (no fuel enrichment).  I never smell any gasoline or see any drips on the floor or bike.  Curious, Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

Been meaning to ask this for a while but never remember.  Another post about the engine running with the petcock off reminded me.  Like several responses to that post report a few minutes or miles of engine time with the petcock in the off position I do as well.  Except, if I turn the petcock off when I'm done riding then the next day or so when I start the engine I can't even get it backed out of the garage before the engine dies (no fuel enrichment).  I never smell any gasoline or see any drips on the floor or bike.  Curious, Mike

Your post is confusing.  First of all Valkyries need the enricher "choke" to idle when cold.  That part of your post sounds like you just need more training in starting procedures.  The part about missing gas.  What makes you think gas is missing?

[Willow]

Your post is confusing.  First of all Valkyries need the enricher "choke" to idle when cold.  That part of your post sounds like you just need more training in starting procedures.  The part about missing gas.  What makes you think gas is missing?

Chrisj CMA, your questions are good.  Your statement is not correct.  My Standard will idle cold in moderate temperatures without the enricher.  My Interstate requires the enricher to start if temps are even moderately cool.  I think it depends largely upon how the carbs (mixture) are set.

I, with Chrisj, think the OP is jumping to an unwarranted conclusion that the the bike is dying early due to fuel starvation.

If you don't smell gasoline either at the bike or immediately upon turning it over, you're not likely losing fuel. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Your post is confusing.  First of all Valkyries need the enricher "choke" to idle when cold.  That part of your post sounds like you just need more training in starting procedures.  The part about missing gas.  What makes you think gas is missing?

Chrisj CMA, your questions are good.  Your statement is not correct.  My Standard will idle cold in moderate temperatures without the enricher.  My Interstate requires the enricher to start if temps are even moderately cool.  I think it depends largely upon how the carbs (mixture) are set.

I, with Chrisj, think the OP is jumping to an unwarranted conclusion that the the bike is dying early due to fuel starvation.

If you don't smell gasoline either at the bike or immediately upon turning it over, you're not likely losing fuel. 

Yes, ok, not accurately worded.  I should have said its not unusual that Valkyries need the choke to idle cold.  Mine will stay running most times but not at a sufficient rpm without the enricher........sometimes it will die if I don't use the enricher while its cold even at moderate air temps.

[mike72903]

I don't use the FE because I don't need it to start in hot weather but it does it in cold weather as well when I use FE.  I start the bike, it runs a few seconds with or without the FE and dies.  I think "Oh yeah, I turned off the gas", reach down and open the valve, wait a couple of seconds, bike starts and runs fine.  If I've left the valve in the on position, I start the bike with or without the FE and it runs fine.  I just thought that somehow the gasoline was evaporating out of the bowls somehow.  Don't know if that's possible. More often than not I leave the petcock in the on position and yeah, I don't need a lecture about that or instructions on how to start it.

[Chrisj CMA]

I don't use the FE because I don't need it to start in hot weather but it does it in cold weather as well when I use FE.  I start the bike, it runs a few seconds with or without the FE and dies.  I think "Oh yeah, I turned off the gas", reach down and open the valve, wait a couple of seconds, bike starts and runs fine.  If I've left the valve in the on position, I start the bike with or without the FE and it runs fine.  I just thought that somehow the gasoline was evaporating out of the bowls somehow.  Don't know if that's possible. More often than not I leave the petcock in the on position and yeah, I don't need a lecture about that or instructions on how to start it.

ok, if you try to start it and it makes a funny noise, it can be hydrolock....be careful

if the petcock is 7-10 yrs old and never been repaired, it could be the start of troubles........maybe its not keeping the float bowls completely full, if that's the case the next problem will be fuel starvation over 60mph

no lecture here, if you want to leave the gas on and let her idle at 400rpms.......who am I...........