Starving for fuel

[Lyle Laun]

Ran in to a common Valk starving for fuel issue today and thought I'd post it just in case it helps any of the newer members.
Recently did the carbs and changed out the fuel and tank vent lines. Running a Pingel fuel valve.
Filled up and went for a ride today, stopped for lunch after about 70 miles. Left the retaurant and ran out of fuel climbing a hill about 1 mile from the retaurant, reached down and switched to reserve, no help, coasted to a stop. Acted like it was out of fuel. Couldn't see any fuel in the tank, we tapped on it and decided it was empty. My assumption was ridng too fast?, headwinds? Improper carb rebuild? Couldn't figure out why reserve didn't work, starting to think it was the new fuel line was too long and I had a "dip" in the line between the tank and carbs. I never really understood the math behind the "dip in fuel line" theory but was starting to think that must be it.

Pulled another bike up and added 1/2 gallon of fuel. Started up and went to the nearest gas station 5 miles away. Bike took less than 2 gallons to fill.

Drove 50 miles home no problem. Checked the fuel line - no "dip", straight line, nothing spare to cut off.

I didn't put the "T" in for the vacumn break on the tank vent line as I used a clear hose and didn't have a T that fit when I did the carbs. Pulled the tank vent line up and it had either rubbed on the tire or against the exhaust and had melted closed. Cut 8" off and it looks like that solved my issues.

Obviously I didn't have the vent line routed correctly and it also Serves me right for being too lazy to run down to the store and get a T when I was putting things back together after the carb job.....

Lyle

[Hook#3287]

You're probably going to need to put the "T" back in.  First rain you get caught in, she could run out of fuel again.  The "T" helps prevent the rain from plugging the venting.