Fuel problem

[BrettB]

Looking for some advice and what to look at for what I believe to be a fuel problem.

I had a minor surgery three weeks ago and during the time I couldn't ride I (of course) put on some new parts and started some maintenance on the Valk that I had been putting off.  I removed the air box for the first time.  I reinforced my long held theory that I can take anything apart, but putting it back together was not fun.  I installed a new petcock vacum line, fuel line disconnect, pair valve vacum line (all from redeye) and a in line fuel filter recommended by redeye.  I also switched to a K&N air filter.

Last night I finally took the bike out for a spin.  I filled up with a fresk tank and added some seafoam,  which I use about every forth or fifth tank.  I had also installed a rattlebars kick shifter that I wanted to start getting used to.  I had gone about 20 or 25 miles on country roads.........very little traffic so I was slowing down a lot, up and down shifting to get used to the new shifter.  I went through a small town then got back on a two lane state route and accelerated quickly, but not anywhere near full throttle.  I
The bike ran smooth for about a mile and then started cutting out.  The motor died and after pulling off the road I got off and checked the fuel line disconnect, thinking maybe it had popped loose.  Nope, it was fine.  I checked for loose hoses and could not find anything.  I checked the water and oil, then ran the fuel selector from on to off to reserve.  I  tried to re-start.  It finally kicked over, but sounded like only on a few cylinders.  I waited a few more minutes and it fired up fine and ran well all the way home (thankfully), although I took it slow and did not accelerate any more than I had to.

I have not tried it yet this morning as I wanted to get some input first.  Any suggestions will be appreciated and thanks in advance.

[Daniel Meyer]

Kinked or clogged tank vent line -or- bad petcock diaphram (or kinked vacuum line to the petcock).

Also make sure the added filter did not lengthen the fuel line...if it did, it will sag and when hot, probably kink.

[Valker]

I always look for simple. I'd suspect a load of bad gas. Sure could be those other things mentioned though.

[dreamaker]

Are you running a Dyna 3000 module. If so, I had this happen to me, I just restarted the bike and it ran OK till the next time.

Dan

[BrettB]

I'll check all of those things that were suggested.  I tried to keep the same length on the fuel line when I put the filter on.  It may be a little longer, but I don't think enough to kink.

I don't even know what a dyna 3000 module is, but my valk is a stock tourer.

Thanks for the responses.

[DFragn]

I'll check all of those things that were suggested.  I tried to keep the same length on the fuel line when I put the filter on.  It may be a little longer, but I don't think enough to kink.

I don't even know what a dyna 3000 module is, but my valk is a stock tourer.

Thanks for the responses.

It could easily be the filter you added. Some of the  smaller ones don't move enough fuel for six carbs.

[Patrick]

Daniel was the first with what I think is the correct answer.. First, kinked vent line.. Second, disconnect and fuel filter.. If you were unaware of the vent line kinking problem [which is common] then that sounds like the problem[did you open the fuel cap during this trouble??].. Also, some have had fuel flow trouble with in-line filters and disconnects, they do not flow enough sometimes or have kinked those lines..

[Ricky-D]

Although there are a lot of thoughts concerning fuel flow and filters and related items if you do the math regarding consumption it becomes clear that fuel flow is very low and very slow.

At 30 miles to the gallon you consume 4-1/4 oz of gasoline per mile.  At 60 miles an hour (1 mile/minute) you consume the same 4-1/4 oz of gasoline in one minute.  That's roughly 1 ounce of gasoline every fifteen seconds.

Pour out 1 ounce of anything, making it last fifteen seconds and you'll see what I'm getting at.  That is a very small flow.

When you divide up that one ounce among six carburetors you see that it is very small.

Just wanted to toss this in since the question has arisen.

***

[BrettB]

I did open the fuel cap after the engine died, but did not notice any vacum problem (I don't know if I would have heard the air rush in or not if the line was kinked.

I tood an inspection mirror and checked everything I could.............didn't notice anything so I took her out and hit it pretty hard for about 20 miles.  No problems.  I guess I'll just have to ride more (and stay close to home for a while)  and see if it does it again.

I really don't want to take that air box off again, but practice makes perfect!

[TearlessTom]

It could easily be the filter you added. Some of the  smaller ones don't move enough fuel for six carbs.

I think this is the correct answer.

I had a simular problem with my VTX after I disconnected the fuel pump (2003 1300 VTX model) and switched to a straight gravity fed system like the 2004-2009 models.

The fuel pump had a fuel filter inline so I replaced it with new inline filter. Afterwards when ever I got down to about 2 gallons of gas it started cutting out on me then would restart and run after letting it sit for a minute. 

The problem was the weight of the gas was not enough to overcome the added restriction of the filter without the fuel pump. 

After lots of research I found out the 04-09 did not use a secondary filter so I removed it and have had no problems since.

Tom

[DFragn]

Although there are a lot of thoughts concerning fuel flow and filters and related items if you do the math regarding consumption it becomes clear that fuel flow is very low and very slow.

At 30 miles to the gallon you consume 4-1/4 oz of gasoline per mile.  At 60 miles an hour (1 mile/minute) you consume the same 4-1/4 oz of gasoline in one minute.  That's roughly 1 ounce of gasoline every fifteen seconds.

Pour out 1 ounce of anything, making it last fifteen seconds and you'll see what I'm getting at.  That is a very small flow.

When you divide up that one ounce among six carburetors you see that it is very small.

Just wanted to toss this in since the question has arisen.

***

Yup. And still some of them filters out there can't even provide that in the real world.

[Rio Wil]

This almost sounds like the classic vac diaphram leaking in the petcock.  Try manually applying a vac to the petcoak, it should not leak off at all. My first symptoms was a slight loss of power on the freeway for a couple of seconds, thought I might have let off the throttle slightly.  A week or so later, same thing but it lasted longer.  Another week and it lasted several seconds and the bike slowed considerably, another week and I wondered if I was gonna make it home. Blipping the throttle seemed to make a difference somewhat,(changes the vac pull to the diaphram) maybe alters the seating of the diaphram....a full tank vs a empty tank made a difference also.

[BrettB]

Rio Will, thanks for the info.  This may be what I am having trouble with.  I have put on about 120 miles since having the problem and have not had any further trouble, however, today on a 50 mile ride it did seem to lose power just a little. I kept thinking I was using too light a touch on the throttle..........but I have not done that before.

If this is the problem, will the petcock rebuild kit fit it?  I would love to do the Pingel conversion, but I know I would forget to shut it off.

Thanks

[Rio Wil]

Yep, you get  new diaphragms in the rebuild kit.....from bikebandit.com the kit is $35 and called 'cover,rooster', item 5.  It has become a ritual for me to pull into the home garage and reach down with both hands at once and turn the key off and the petcock valve.  I don't turn it off while traveling and stopping during the day.  The vac test will prove whether it has a leak or not.  If I remember right,  if the inner diaphragm breaks it will leak fuel out the bottom vent hole in the valve, and if the outer one leaks it will cause fuel starvation.   

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/honda-motorcycle-gl1500c-valkyrie-2001/o/m2367