Need some help, on the road with my Valk!

[Just-us-6]

Ok, I suspect my problem is that I need a new petcock for the fuel, but I will describe the symptoms and what happened and see what you guys think. I have a 1998 tourer that has been  modified body wise, but mechanically stock as far as I know. I was riding along on the interstate yesterday when the bike began acting like it usually does when it runs out of gas. I reached down and switched to reserve with the bike not changing and it still ran out of gas. Luckily, since I was traveling in New Mexico and I was unsure how far gas stations would be apart, I had packed a 1 gallon emergency gas can, which got me to the next gas station. I will say over 1200 miles in the last 2 days with no reserve stunk. I also noticed a vacuum line that was off. if sitting on the bike it is on the right side and has a small check valve type deal on it. I put the vacuum line back together but not sure check valve is facing right direction? The reserve on the gas is not working at all, I tried running it on reserve even with a full tank of gas it will not work.

I am in Santa Fe New Mexico and I believe the Honda dealer is closed Sunday and Monday. Does anybody close have or have access to a new petcock? I really do not want to loose out on the ride. The Honda dealers that I called do not have them in stock, so that could be another day or 2 on parts. I have limited tools and am not that mechanical. If nobody has one close, how about anyone else have one I can buy? I will pay to ship overnight so I at least have the part. Pingel, stock, whatever doesn't really matter to me, just want to get it going!

[doubletee]

Here's a link to instructions to convert your OEM petcock to a manual (non-vacuum) fuel valve. Don't know if it will solve your issue, but it's at least a shot that might provide a temporary fix to keep you on the road until you can get a replacement cover set for yours.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,18092.0.html

[signart]

Others will chime in soon, but one thing you can try is run with open gas cap to eliminate tank vent issue. Another is search for petcock mod to bypass vacuum operation, I think you can do this without additional parts. Again others will help, I'm sure. Good luck

[signart]

See, beat me to it

[Jess from VA]

Big Bill Ferguson (BF) is over in Phoenix AZ and a top notch mechanic.

http://www.bigbf.com/

His email is on here.  http://www.bigbf.com/product_sale/

[Valker]

Big Bill Ferguson (BF) is over in Phoenix AZ and a top notch mechanic.

http://www.bigbf.com/

His email is on here.  http://www.bigbf.com/product_sale/

I think he's in Tulsa until August....

[Jess from VA]

OK.  That's probably more in the right direction for him anyway.

[Just-us-6]

Thanks for the replies. Is it possible the vacuum line that came off had something to do with this problem? and if so could it be that the check valve is reversed? I think I put it back in the right way, but along side the road, tired, hot and burning the heck out of my hands I would not swear by it.

[Just-us-6]

I will be going back through Oklahoma on the way home, but I am supposed to be spending the week here and riding around here...

[doubletee]

Thanks for the replies. Is it possible the vacuum line that came off had something to do with this problem? and if so could it be that the check valve is reversed? I think I put it back in the right way, but along side the road, tired, hot and burning the heck out of my hands I would not swear by it.

The OEM petcock has to have vacuum in order to allow fuel flow in both the ON and RESERVE positions. So, yes, if the vacuum line came off the petcock, that would be one explanation for the issue. I'm not sure I am following your explanation of a "check valve," but the vac line to the petcock goes to the #6 intake (back, left intake as observed when sitting on the bike). There is no check valve in that vac line.

[doubletee]

One other thing just popped into my head. As it pertains to vac lines on the Valk, there are only two others. They connect at intakes #3 and #4 (middle intakes on both sides of the bike) and they connect to a plastic 'T' connector. There is another vac line that goes from the 'T' connector to the top of the pair valve directly underneath the air box. Any other "check valve" you may have come across doesn't have anything to do with vacuum, as far as I know.

[Just-us-6]

I am going to try to get a picture to post from my phone. this is definitely a vacuum line. It comes off the back of the #6 intake. back right side as sitting on the bike. I am not sure if the check valve could have been added for some reason? I will try to post a picture but will also try turning that one way valve the other way and see what happens. Thank you for the help!

[BonS]

The petcock doesn't need or use a check valve at all. The vacuum line for the petcock can be connected to any vacuum port on any cylinder as it doesn't matter. The factory way is to connect it to cylinder #6 which is the rear left-side cylinder.

Does your bike have a cruise control added? That is the only reason that check valves were added to vacuum lines - to provide vacuum for the cruise control vacuum modulator.

[nogrey]

Order a pingle petcock overnight. No vacuum required, direct fit replacement, super easy install. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GZHZ48?colid=129A36X2IKRZQ&coliid=I3ABYYVWB5KEBE&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

[Just-us-6]

Yes, it does have cruise control added. So I guess if that one goes to the cruise, it is probably not the cause of my problem? Darn it! I was hoping for something easy within my skill set, buddies are out riding and here I sit at the hotel.

[Just-us-6]

Ok, for the Pingel, does that go in the tank? Do I have to pull the tank? Do I need any other parts? and does the reserve still work? Does it still use the stock selector switch for on, off and reserve? Sorry fo all the questions, just trying to figure this all out before tearing into it and causing myself a bigger problem.

[DK]

Purchase a MightyVac.

Pull a vacuum on the petcock line; see if it holds vacuum; see if fuel flows with vacuum to petcock; - if so, leave mighty vac connected, toss it in saddlebag & go have fun.

Dan

[doubletee]

Ok, for the Pingel, does that go in the tank? Do I have to pull the tank? Do I need any other parts? and does the reserve still work? Does it still use the stock selector switch for on, off and reserve? Sorry fo all the questions, just trying to figure this all out before tearing into it and causing myself a bigger problem.

Yes, it goes in the tank. It replaces the stock OEM petcock on the bottom of the tank.
Yes, you will need to pull the tank. No other parts necessary except a cap to plug the #6 intake that used to supply vac to the OEM petcock.
Reserve still works, but I don't know if the Pingle's reserve is as large as the OEM. Runs in my mind it's a bit less. However, your total fuel capacity does not change.
Stock selector switch is no longer used with the Pingle. It has its own selector right on the valve.

[Lyle Laun]

I wouldn't let this ruin your riding. My suggestion would be to just to use your trip reset on your speedometer and just remember to fuel up every+/- 120 miles. Carry your 1 gallon spare tank as a reserve.
This would allow you to ride with your buddies and order and install a new petcock when you get home.

[Just-us-6]

That is how I got here was using the trip meter and gas cans, but my economy got progressively worse as the day went on. My usual 120 miles to reserve became about 80 miles at the end of the day. I will say the bike was loaded down and it has smaller than stock tires so 85 on the speedo is actually 75 mph on the GPS, which is how fast we were running. I know slab running that fast really eats the mileage up, and we were fighting big wind, but that is the same pace we had been running the 1200 miles we covered the last 2 days and it just kept getting worse. Even dropping the speed down to 72 mph did not seem to help and it still got worse. I am afraid of running so rich that it messes something up or I am definitely afraid of hydrolock.

[Jess from VA]

If you are having a venting problem, you can try closing the cap with a zip tie (or something thin) thru the hole to keep it better vented.

[deadwood]

I don't have any parts, but I have a garage, tools and truck you can borrow. I live in Albuquerque, about 50 miles down the road. I checked and all the Honda dealers here are closed until Tuesday also.

deadwood@swcp.com

[deadwood]

I have a 2001 I/S and in all my riding around North America, from Albuquerque to Alaska to James Bay to Newfoundland and all points in between, I've seen a tremendous variation in my mileage depending on gas, load, wind and speed. I normally go about 170 -180 miles to reserve. I've had it vary from 125 to 210 on the same trip. If this is your first long cross country trip you could be seeing that variation in mileage. (The I/S has a larger tank than yours so I don't know what your "standard" is.)

But that would not explain why you are not getting a reserve. Simple things first as others have suggested.  When it runs out, just open the gas tank (listen for a swoosh) and close it again. Try starting the bike. If it runs you probably have a vent problem. On my I/S there is a small tube on the bottom of the tank that has a line (like a vacuum line) hooked to it that goes to the area on the bottom where your dragon drool line goes. A kink or blocking in this line could do it.

The fact that the vacuum line to the #6 was unhooked sounds very suspicious (Occam's Razor) and could also very well be the source of your problem. You hooked it back up but is it hooked up at the other end by the petcock? Is there a hole in it? A kink? You can replace it with a 3/32 inch vacuum line from the auto parts store. (assuming the check valve that's in there hasn't changed anything significantly)

If you just want someone to fix it and be done with it I would recommend the Accessory Pit in Albuquerque. They do a lot of work on Gold Wings and Valkyries. But they don't open until Tuesday.

That is how I got here was using the trip meter and gas cans, but my economy got progressively worse as the day went on. My usual 120 miles to reserve became about 80 miles at the end of the day. I will say the bike was loaded down and it has smaller than stock tires so 85 on the speedo is actually 75 mph on the GPS, which is how fast we were running. I know slab running that fast really eats the mileage up, and we were fighting big wind, but that is the same pace we had been running the 1200 miles we covered the last 2 days and it just kept getting worse. Even dropping the speed down to 72 mph did not seem to help and it still got worse. I am afraid of running so rich that it messes something up or I am definitely afraid of hydrolock.

[nogrey]

Hey: nogrey here. Call me if you need help. I am in Idaho but we could talk. I have a fair amount of experience on these fine machines. To me it seems like there's a couple of possibilities. Vacuum not being one of them because you have verified that the line is connected. One: the reserve is made up of a sleeve over the petcock assembly. When you turn the valve to reserve. It draws fuel from beneath that sleeve. That opening may be blocked. 2: even simpler, have you checked that your fuel valve handle is actually turning the petcock valve? There is a tiny screw attaching the valve handle to the peacock and the handle is slotted where it contacts the peacock assembly. I'll PM my phone.

[salty1]

...even simpler, have you checked that your fuel valve handle is actually turning the petcock valve? There is a tiny screw attaching the valve handle to the peacock and the handle is slotted where it contacts the peacock assembly. I'll PM my phone.

   Exactly what I was wondering.

[signart]

You say mechanically stock, yet has cruise control. I would suggest verifying if it has any type of inline filter or shut off valve inline between the petcock and carbs. Anything such as this is often subject to fail. The only stock fuel filter is inside the tank, not that many have success with this modification. About the same amount tend to fail.
One other thing worth mentioning, some have attempted to lengthen the stock fuel line even slightly to gain easier removal or replacement of the tank, this almost always results in random fuel starvation.
Hang in there, you'll get it.

[Firefighter]

Like was said, the selector might not be turning the petcock at all or could be miss aligned and be turning the fuel off when you think it is on reserve. I installed a inline filter and mine would not flow fuel when the tank fuel level was low, no reserve, I had to take the filter back out. I would think if the petcock is flowing fuel at all it would also work on reserve.

[ironvalk]

  I was on a ride from Minnesota to new Orleans. Sounds similar to my experience. The miles to reserve kept getting shorter and shorter. Got fuel as soon as possible, but when I filled it took less and less. I ended up putting a vacuum plug on the weep or vent fitting on bottom of petcock. I know that is not correct, but it got me to new Orleans and back with the tank operating as normal. I now had full use of all fuel in tank and would go to reserve at my normal range in miles. The Honda dealer I stopped at did not have a cover set to repair my petcock (that's what was wrong) or a new petcock. My diaphragm on the vacuum side of the petcock had a leak that kept getting larger explaining why I would have to go to reserve sooner and sooner. Anyway that got me through the trip, and a new cover set to rebuild the petcock resolved the problem. Hope that helps 

[Just-us-6]

Thanks every body for the suggestions and help. I spent most of the day working on it today. With limited tools and in the parking lot it was frustrating to say the least at times. I have had it apart and back together a few times, at least I am definitely getting an education on how it all works. I was attempting to switch it over to a straight manually operate petcock without the vacuum. unfortunately, by the time I finally got it put all back together, I had made a tear in the smaller rubber piece and when I put it back together and turned the fuel on, it leaked out the vent hole like it was going out of style. I am going to have to probably order a replacement petcock or go ahead with the pingel and get it overnighted and hopefully be back running by Tue. Just stinks spending my vacation at the hotel, or in the parking lot. I am going to try to order the part next day freight and maybe then I can be back on the road.

[BonS]

If you're going to order and replace the petcock they why not modify the one you have to get it flowing and then JB weld the weep hole to stop it from leaking. No, I haven't done it, but you might get some riding in until your new petcock arrives. You've got noting to lose by trying.

[Ramie]

I've heard of people doing emegency repair of tears in the diaphram with Gorllia glue and a small peice of neoprene surgical gloves.

[Gary]

Just saw your post. I'm about 45 minutes due north of Santa Fe, in Los Alamos. I have a spare petcock cover set (repair kit) on hand.

Let me know if you need it or if you're going pingel. Either way, I do have some tools, etc.

I'll PM my number.

Gary

[Just-us-6]

Huge shout out to Gary. Not only drove all the way to me, brought me his rebuild kit for the petcock, made parts run and got me lunch. Gary you are the man! Thank
 You!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Huge shout out to Gary. Not only drove all the way to me, brought me his rebuild kit for the petcock, made parts run and got me lunch. Gary you are the man! Thank
 You!

Gary is a good guy. So did the cover set fix your problems ?

[Just-us-6]

Yes, that fixed it. Ive got parts coming tomorrow (pintel), but he saved me another day of missed riding.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yes, that fixed it. Ive got parts coming tomorrow (pintel), but he saved me another day of missed riding.

This club is pretty cool  . I've had several members that have went out of their way to help me and didn't even know me.

[Gary]

Gary you are the man! Thank You!

Glad I could help, hope you get to enjoy the rest of your trip.

Important side note; on your trip toward Silver City, if you cut over on Hwy 60 at Socorro, it'll take you passed the VLA Very Large Array and on to the small city of Pie Town (for pie of course) Then drop down to Silver City the back way.

Safe travels!