Help PLEASE

[Sparky]

Chasing a vacuum leak (I Think.) Unbolted the tank, removed the bolt that holds the fuel selector switch to the frame at the knob end. The selector switch is now only connected to the petcock.

HERES the problem. I can't see how it is connected and I tried pulling it off the petcock but man is it stuck. Am I missing some form of screw or clamp?

Does the selector switch simply pull strait of the petcock?

Also, if not asking too much, I would really appreciate if I could trouble someone who has done this to spare me a few minutes on the phone. I will PM my cell (or vise versa.) The local shops are backed up for two weeks as our big Rally (Bikes, Blues and BBQ) is next week. THANKS

TIA
Jim

[Ricky-D]

There is a JIS screw way down inside the selector switch knob holding it to the petcock.

***

[Sparky]

Bummer getting old. I looked in there and did not see it. I'm off to look again.

THANKS THANK and THANKS.
Jim

[Sparky]

Pulled the tank and thought I found the problem. There was a hole in the #6 Carp to Petcock vacuum line.

Replaced, re-assembled, and no change. AGHHHHH!

Runs rough above 1/3 throttle. Sounds like the entire left side dies, and right sounds fuel starved.

When I had the tank off, I put a vacuum to the petcock and it held (like there was no leak.)


ANY IDEAS?

PLEASE HELP!

[hukmut]

To remove petcock valve knob, just use a thin flat tip screwdriver without having to remove the cotter pin. The assembly will nearly just about fall off.

[Michvalk]

If your bike is still stock, and not desmogged, there are three vacuum lines on the intakes, and three plugs. If you are missing any of the plugs, or one of those other lines are bad, it could run like that. Also check the clamps for the carb tubes, to the airbox. there are 3 clamps on each carb. The last place to check are the O-rings at the base of the intakes. I wouldn't mess with them until you make sure the rest is good. As a last resort, you can take a can of starter fluid and spray around the top of the engine to help find an air leak, but, I don't recommend doing this inside the garage. That is how I found a leaking O-ring on my Interstate. The engine will suck air, and the starter fluid will cause the engine to speed up a bit

[Chrisj CMA]

To remove petcock valve knob, just use a thin flat tip screwdriver without having to remove the cotter pin. The assembly will nearly just about fall off.

It's a Philips type screw, use a standard size phillips

[Firefighter]

Don't have enough info to help with suggestions, was the bike running good and suddenly not? Has the bike been sitting? Tell us the story so we can help.

[Sparky]

It was running great when last I rode. I had it in the shop in June for an oil change and also had them change the brake fluid. My last ride was in July and I ran a full tank of gas through it. I then parked it. Two Saturdays ago I was going to go for a ride  and it started and idled fine, but anything above 1/3 throttle and it runs terrible. As I was VERY low on gas, I went and bought a can of SEAFOAM and ran it for a few miles. I then went and filled the tank and drove it back to the house and let it soak for four days (give the SEAFOAM some time to work.)

After the few days soak, it starts and idles fine (as before), but still has major problems above 1/3 throttle.
 
Last night I took the petcock off and apart, all looked good inside. Opened the air box and inspected all the pipes (inside and out), didn't see anything. Also replaced the air filter while I was in there. I made sure all the clamps in the plenums were tight also.

I spent an hour carefully looking at every tube and wire with a very bright light.

I am at a loss and fear it is off to the stealer. Bad thing is BBQ is this week and they can't look at it for a week or two...

Open to any ideas, thoughts?

[Chrisj CMA]

OK, so you let it sit for two months with "VERY" low gas...not good.

Then when it didn't run right and you suspected gas, it would have been better to drain that very small amount.

Soaking the carbs on cleaner is good, but Seafoam is not it.  Also a small amount of gas and high concentration would more do what you tried to do.

So if you want to give it a fighting chance, get some Techron, or Chemtool, put at least a full bottle in if its now a full tank maybe two if they are small bottles, go for a long ride at the rpm that it runs the worst.  Ride it till its low on gas again, then in a couple days fill it with good gas and if its any better but not right, repeat.  If its no better, you are going to have to tear it down

[gordonv]

So if you want to give it a fighting chance, get some Techron, or Chemtool, put at least a full bottle in if its now a full tank maybe two if they are small bottles, go for a long ride at the rpm that it runs the worst.  Ride it till its low on gas again, then in a couple days fill it with good gas and if its any better but not right, repeat. 

If its no better, you are going to have to tear it down

If it's no better or a notice change, you may wish to try a different cleaner than what you first used. Some have reported a noticeable difference after one type of cleaner, but then no more. Try a different cleaner, and it improved more, but still not 100 %. Then another one.

Wouldn't it be more likely some kind of air/vacuum leak when it's a higher rpm problem, than jets?

I don't feel a visual inspection is the way to check vacuum lines (except for noticeable cracked ends). Would be better to replace. Maybe try the spray method instead (WD40, starter fluid, etc.) to look for a leak. It sucks it in, and changes the running of the engine. Just do it outside in a ventilated area (not windy).

[Firefighter]

Since you said it has sat that long, I would think very possible that the carburetor(s) could be stopped up. It doesn't take much to cause problems there. Be careful as you could be a fine candidate for flooding and HYDROLOCK!
Unless you have clean fuel in the tank, I would suggest you drain out the fuel and try and drain the carburetors. Then add the new fuel and chemicals as suggested. Cleaning carburetors might be the only option.

Also since I am yacking, you will need to verify that fuel is flowing to the carburetors.
Make sure your enrichment valve is not stuck open some how.
Vacuum lines as you talked about or intake leak - O Rings.

Not much help now but my life experiences have taught me to keep the fuel topped off as air in the tank causes water in the tank and then deteriorated fuel. Also use stabilizer if the bike sits for a couple weeks or more.

AND, if its not none of that, ignition problems  can cause some of these things also.

Good luck, let us know your progress.