How many vacuum lines are you using on your cruise control?

[John Schmidt]

I'm getting ready to pull the tank and airbox, need to replace my inline fuel filter and check the vacuum hoses used for my CC. I have all the available vacuum ports used and want to get rid of most, they all feed into Tees and a single line from each bank to the reservoir. I'm wondering why I can't just use possibly two hoses, one from each bank and feed into the reservoir. Seems that should give me plenty of vacuum to operate with. I'm open to any suggestions. 

It's the Audio Vox system and has been trouble free for close to 10 years. But recently on a day run I noticed if I hit the ACCEL button the engine would appear to die a bit, then suddenly WHAM, the cruise would catch. Not a pleasant feeling....or sound, so want to clean it up and bit and see if it's possibly a leak somewhere. There's a one-way valve in each line so there could be a vacuum leak and it would still run fine.

[MarkT]

My next project is redesigning the fuel path.  It's going to be more complex than I would like but I want to be able to have the Dan-Marc, fuel filter, T-fitting for the belly tank and still have easy connection to the petcock while keeping the whole line on a downhill.  It will involve some S-turns in the path using copper tube fittings, probably flare or sweated. Won't work on it until the second half of Jan.

[BonS]

I have three vacuum hoses, each with a check valve, teeing into one another. I don't have a reservoir. It has worked under all conditions and never failed. If you use check valves be sure to "check" them with your mouth to be sure they're working. I had one out of four that I bought at an auto parts store that wouldn't check. It's a simpler design and helps to get rid of "stuff".

[John Schmidt]

Bon, all my lines have a check valve in them, each line comes off the vac. at the back of the carb intake. I'd just like to get rid of all but two lines/hoses, my reservoir has two inputs, one from each side. If you can get by with just three and no reservoir, I surely should be able to operate with just two with a reservoir. Figure if I use one from each side it should work fine.

[Dusty]

 I had issues with mine not engaging all the time. I tracked it down to the solenoid valves inside the actuator were sticking. This link is what I used to fix mine. Let me know if you need more info. I use 5 lines to a canister.


Dusty


http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19536

[John Schmidt]

Dusty, great write-up, I'll keep it in mind if I don't find any other source for the hesitation. 

[Kye]

I've just done an install the same as Bon, three vacuums, all from the same bank, all with check valves (we can't get the ones you US guys use in here Australia so I had to use check valves designes for a fish aquarium - not sure how long they're gonna last), and no canister, and it worked flawlessly. The worst variation I observed when going over a hill or up a dip was about 5km/h.

I'd speculate that two lines used in conjunction with a canister would work equally well.

[gordonv]

I looked over the write up of the audiovox, and the home build vacuum reservoir. Uses 5 lines.

I would think if you wish to only use 2 vacuum lines instead, you would need to reduce the size of the bottle. 2/5th of the lines, so reduce the bottle to 2/5th of the size.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Cruise-Control.htm

I  found someone advertising 2 of the Audiovox for sale.

[Daniel Meyer]

I use three ports. Check your check valves. Put one in each line AND one after they all t together to go to the reservoir. The reason? They do fail. The valk is as hard on them as it is vacuum lines (substantial back pulse). They are easy to check though...if ya don't mind sucking on your bike

[97BLKVALK]

John,

I use the MC Cruise Control and had several issues back in 2014. I contacted the company and they stated it was from the ethanol in our gasoline and it now requires a seasonal cleaning of the vacuum actuator chamber with a denatured alcohol.  The servo setup look very similar to mine.  I can email you the tech guide to cleaning servo if interested.

PM me with email and I will be happy to send.

Michael

[John Schmidt]

At present, I have #2 & #4 feeding from the left side and all three from the right side, each with a check valve.  My #6 is capped off since I have a manual petcock. I think I'd be safe in using just one from each side, capping off the rest. Since the left side already is using two, I might replace the hoses and valves and keep those, then add just one from the right side, again with new hose and check valve. That would cut down on the the amount of hoses susceptible to breaking down and leaking. In the years the system has been installed(about ten) it appears the bead chain has stretched a bit so considering replacing it with new or similar. By the time it all breaks down and needs going over again, I'll most likely no longer be riding since that would put me in the mid-late 80's.

Been so long since I had the tank and airbox off I had forgot what a PITA removing the airbox is. I need to relocate some extra wires I've run since the last time it was off.

[live2ride]

I am using 4 vacuum lines with the Audiovox and no reservoir. Never had an issue. Our machines have plenty of continuous vacuum.

[John Schmidt]

I ended up using two lines from the left and one from the right, all with check valves and feeding into a reservoir. I replaced all the hoses and check valves, capped off the remaining vacuum ports. Then reduced the slack in the bead chain that's hooked to the carb linkage. Next I replaced the fuel lines from the petcock to the tee, installed a new inline filter, the airbox is back in so just need to hook up the tank and should be done.

[Garland]

I have a McCruise, and am using one vacuum hose with check valve.

[Gryphon Rider]

I have a McCruise, and am using one vacuum hose with check valve.

Does your cruise control tend to act slowly? I.e. when you push the set button, does it take a while for the cruise to take over from your hand holding the throttle?

[MarcusS]

None, My Rostra system is all electric.