'99 I/S started running poorly (solved)

[BINOVC]

Everything is stock, about 47K miles on the clock.  I ride nearly daily (commuting to work) year-round.
A few days ago leaving work, I noticed that it would not accelerate.  Idled fine, even running the throttle up in neutral, but once in gear it just completely lacked power, although if I accelerated slowly, I could nurse it up to speed.  If I rode it below about 2K RPM it seemed fine.
Thought maybe the petcock wasn't fully on, so worked it back and forth, the problem went away after a few minutes.
This happened a couple more times on different rides.  Starting to doubt petcock issues (I feel the detents clicking in as I rotate the selector, albeit maybe a bit sticky).
Added a gallon of gas with a couple ounces of B12 Chemtool (tank pretty low, maybe a couple gallons before I added), and let it idle 5 minutes before shutting down that evening prior to next ride.
This morning it didn't start like normal (died once after starting, didn't sound 100% healthy). Restarted, let it warm up.  But as soon as I hit the street it really acted bad.  Falters very badly when attempting acceleration.  Decided to turn around and drive the truck to work.
I always refuel from my gas cans, which I always treat with seafoam (1 oz/gal).
Will have to wait for weekend to begin troubleshooting.  My initial thoughts are to pull the tank, check and possibly replace vacuum lines (since I've owned it aprx 3 years, haven't ever looked under the tank...) , give the petcock a thorough testing (can it be lubed?  It does seem a little "sticky" at times).
Appreciate your thoughts!

[3W-lonerider]

Deffinate sounds of a bad petcock on the vacuum side. Mine acted the same way years ago.

[Gryphon Rider]

The simplest explanation for your symptoms is that you are out of gas, in which case flip the valve to reserve or add gas.  I know your reply will be, "Of course I have gas; it's the first thing I checked," but I just had to throw that out there.

Here's my write-up on the fuel valve vacuum failure scenario for your consideration: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,37577.0.html

[The emperor has no clothes]

Cover set rebuild kit seems in order to me.

[Jess from VA]

If so..... https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/16953-MBZ-B51

[BINOVC]

While I was letting it run with the Chemtool the other day, I switched it to off and it started showing sign of fuel starvation after about 5 minutes, and came back to life when I switched back to main.  I also tested reserve, and it kept running (though just idling, did not test it under load, so I do need to try that yet).
I do have a spare cover set already, one of those precautionary purchases I made awhile back.  Could be I do need it.
Gryphon, thanks for the link and write-up.  The link to valkyrie-owners.com (pictures) appears to be bad.

[Gryphon Rider]

Gryphon, thanks for the link and write-up.  The link to valkyrie-owners.com (pictures) appears to be bad.

You're welcome.  The purpose of the link, which worked at the time, was to attribute where I got the photos from.  I assume you can still see the photos within my post?  I have them hosted on vrcc.photostash.com, which is still alive and well.

[BINOVC]

I couldn't see anything earlier on my day job computer, but I do see them now on my night job computer!

[Willow]

Those symptoms can also show up if you have too long a tube in the fuel line from the petcock.  The rise in the line sometimes results in a bubble in the line. 

[hubcapsc]

I couldn't see anything earlier on my day job computer, but I do see them now on my night job computer!

Some stuff thinks photostash is worse than a russian porn site and won't display pictures from there...

-Mike

[spongebob]

47K.... never looked under tank?....... .
I would be going on the end of the 3rd air filter

[BINOVC]

So I finally got the project started yesterday (replacing cover set on petcock and replacing the vacuum lines).
What I found:
When sucking on the #6 cyl vac line, I was getting air/fuel vapor.  After installing the cover set, this test passed. Inspecting the petcock innards, couldn't see any cracks in either diaphragm, but when I tugged lightly (stretching the rubber), I noticed the rubber would sort of "delaminate", so I'm guessing there were microscopic pinholes/deterioration that allowed air flow.

Vacuum line routing question:
The line that goes to #3 cyl., according to a write-up on this site (about 2/3 down of post #8 http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=10289.0), says the line should pass UNDER the chrome tube (because the tube becomes heated).  My original line, and also the one on my other Valk, this line sits on top of the chrome tube.  So I'm a little conflicted.  Is there a diagram that shows this?  Tried searching in the service manual, and couldn't find.
I'm replacing with the NAPA H467.

[gordonv]

Service manual, at the front, it shows the routing of most things on the bike.

pg 33, section 1-30, I think shows the air lines. Kind of hard to read and not sure exactly which one you want.

But I can't see heat being an issue.

Another section to look at would be the carberator, and see if there might be one showing the routing for the lines.

Have a service manual? Get the PDF from Valkyrie Norway
http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[BINOVC]

So the other day I got everything buttoned back up (yeah takes me awhile, was accomplishing some other things while I had tank off).
Problem still there!!!  
I then connected a fuel line into a container, and connected a Mighty Vac to the vacuum line to check the fuel flow, which seemed healthy.
Then I noticed what the gas looked like!  
Turns out Valkyries don't run too good on water!
And it was alot of water.
Now I'm re-thinking whether I should be refueling from my gas cans, even though I've been doing this for years without any problems.  It's just much more convenient for me.  
Hoping that maybe one of the cans got left out in the rain and not noticed by me.  Will definitely be more scrupulous with gas can care.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cocojen/46912901694/in/album-72157690966079543/
Thanks for all the support!