Bike won't run after Petcock replacement

[Ozark Valkyrie]

I have replaced my fuel petcock with a brand new one from Honda and my bike won't start.

Things I have tried/checked;

Vacuum line is clear and not kinked
Fuel lines are clear and not kinked
Switch has been tried in "on" and "reserve" multiple times
Breather tube is clear and not kinked
Gas is in the tank
battery is fully charged
tried with choke and without

Appears to be not getting fuel to the carbs.  Pulled plugs and they are dry and show no carbon present.  Forward plug on both sides has good spark.

Bike turns over but never fires off.  Must be something I am simply overlooking but I am not able to determine what it is. 

Ideas????

[Harryc]

Remove the fuel line from the petcock. Connect an external fuel line long enough to point it into a bucket. Hook another line to the Petcock vacuum barb. Apply vacuum (sucking in by mouth works). Does fuel come out of the fuel hose with the petcock selector in the 'on' position? If not, than your petcock is bad. If it does check your vacuum connections and hose. 

[pancho]

Just do as mentioned above until the carb bowls fill with gas, then it will start.

[da prez]

Disconnect the fuel line at the tank. Use a vacuum pump (sucking will also work ) see if fuel comes out. Did you actually check to see if you have vacuum when you crank the engine. You can hook the vacuum line to the right rear runner. If vacuum is applied and no fuel , and selector is in right position , you may have a bad valve. Also , if you replaced the fuel line and made it to long , it will stop the fuel.

           Back to basics.

                                                  da prez

[Valkpilot]

Disconnect the fuel line at the tank. Use a vacuum pump (sucking will also work ) see if fuel comes out. Did you actually check to see if you have vacuum when you crank the engine. You can hook the vacuum line to the right rear runner. If vacuum is applied and no fuel , and selector is in right position , you may have a bad valve. Also , if you replaced the fuel line and made it to long , it will stop the fuel.

           Back to basics.

                                                  da prez

Doesn't have to be a bad petcock.  The internals (spring and diaphragms) could be installed incorrectly.

[Harryc]

Doesn't have to be a bad petcock.  The internals (spring and diaphragms) could be installed incorrectly.

Installed incorrectly on a brand new OEM petcock? It's possible but not likely.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

OK, pulled the fuel line and installed a secondary, pulled vacuum off of the #6 carb and sucked on it, fuel came out.

Appears that I am not getting vacuum??

If I reattach the fuel line and suck on the vacuum line for a few minutes, this should fill the bowls, correct?  Once they are filled, should run and that might help to create vacuum to keep it running?

[Harryc]

OK, pulled the fuel line and installed a secondary, pulled vacuum off of the #6 carb and sucked on it, fuel came out.

Appears that I am not getting vacuum??

If I reattach the fuel line and suck on the vacuum line for a few minutes, this should fill the bowls, correct?  Once they are filled, should run and that might help to create vacuum to keep it running?

Correct, except for the vacuum part. It is needed for fuel flow, but is not related to filling the carb bowls. It comes from the vacuum port on carb 6. You can also crack open a carb bowl drain screw to see if fuel is getting to them.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

OK, I pulled the fuel line from the petcock and put on a secondary.  Pulled the vacuum from #6 carb and sucked on the vacuum line.  Fuel came out with almost no resistance.

Put the fuel line to the carbs back on and attempted to create vacuum by sucking on the vacuum line again and it was instant resistance and I could not create any vacuum but rather the line began to collapse.

The fuel lines are original and appear to be in goods shape.  Did not make any changes to any lines, just removed the old (leaking) petcock and replaced.

Appears there is some sort of obstruction to fuel entering the lines, but what could it be?  Air pocket?  Is there a way to bleed air out of the fuel lines?

[Ozark Valkyrie]

OK, fuel line is back on and vacuum still off.

Cracked carb bowl drain screws on both #1 and #2 carbs, both are wet.  Bike should start right?

Cycled thru a couple revolutions with both screws slightly cracked and got fuel flow as I applied vacuum to the vacuum hose.

So, am getting fuel into the carbs but no fire.....  Pulled the #1 plug and tested it, is firing as it should.

So I have fuel in carb#1 and fire in plug #1, assume it is the same on the others since the bike would run prior to removing the leaking petcock.

Got gas and spark but no fire.....What am I missing???

AM no mechanic, but changing a petcock seemed pretty straight forward to me.

Confused as hell.  Suggestions??

[Chrisj CMA]

How long was the bike sitting waiting for the new petcock?  Could be a weak battery.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

Was sitting for a few months, but I replaced the battery at the same time I replaced the petcock.

Is turning over strong but have put the charger to it a few times just to be sure I was not low.

I will try again with the charger connected.

[Valkpilot]

Doesn't have to be a bad petcock.  The internals (spring and diaphragms) could be installed incorrectly.

Installed incorrectly on a brand new OEM petcock? It's possible but not likely.

Correct, but as likely as a faulty mechanical side, I think.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

I may have to bring in a professional.

Here is where I am at right now....

Confirmed fuel in #1 and #2 bowls.

Confirmed spark in #1 plug.

In doing so, know I have fuel in #1 and #2, know I have spark in #1 and am not able to get the damn thing to fire off.

Just tried to fire while on the charger and no difference.

Motor turns over and over but never fires.  Tried with the choke wide open, slammed closed, nothing changes.

Sounds like the bike is starving for fuel but I confirmed it is not.  So I got gas and spark but cannot get a fire......

Any other ideas, before I call the local shop?

[Chrisj CMA]

Was sitting for a few months, but I replaced the battery at the same time I replaced the petcock.

Is turning over strong but have put the charger to it a few times just to be sure I was not low.

I will try again with the charger connected.

Turning over strong means nothing.  Jump it to your car.  If it starts, you have a weak battery.

[Lastdragon]

I may have to bring in a professional.

Here is where I am at right now....

Confirmed fuel in #1 and #2 bowls.

Confirmed spark in #1 plug.

In doing so, know I have fuel in #1 and #2, know I have spark in #1 and am not able to get the damn thing to fire off.

Just tried to fire while on the charger and no difference.

Motor turns over and over but never fires.  Tried with the choke wide open, slammed closed, nothing changes.

Sounds like the bike is starving for fuel but I confirmed it is not.  So I got gas and spark but cannot get a fire......

Any other ideas, before I call the local shop?

Not to be a smart ass and please don't get mad, as it has happened to others, but is the red "kill" switch "on"?  sometimes in the thick of things and changing stuff it gets bumped "off"

[Chrisj CMA]

I may have to bring in a professional.

Here is where I am at right now....

Confirmed fuel in #1 and #2 bowls.

Confirmed spark in #1 plug.

In doing so, know I have fuel in #1 and #2, know I have spark in #1 and am not able to get the damn thing to fire off.

Just tried to fire while on the charger and no difference.

Motor turns over and over but never fires.  Tried with the choke wide open, slammed closed, nothing changes.

Sounds like the bike is starving for fuel but I confirmed it is not.  So I got gas and spark but cannot get a fire......

Any other ideas, before I call the local shop?

Not to be a smart ass and please don't get mad, as it has happened to others, but is the red "kill" switch "on"?  sometimes in the thick of things and changing stuff it gets bumped "off"

The Valkyrie will not turn over if the kill switch is on kill!

[gordonv]

Ozark, I see by your post that you might be new to the Valkyrie?

The chock (enricher) is applied AFTER you start getting resistance in it's movement. Apply chock another 1/2". You can even look down and see the enricher slid move on the carbs.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

Gordonv,

I am fairly new to working on these damn bikes!

Have pressed the Choke lever until it is ready to break.  Am looking at the actuators on top of each bank as I do so.  The choke is fully engaged as far as I can tell.

Got gas, got spark, got no fire.

Am a novice with a wrench but the changing of a fuel petcock seems so damn straight forward that I am at a total loss as to what the situation is.

Would still like to hear any advice you may have and will be happy to try it before calling the shop

[Ozark Valkyrie]

OK, just refreshed and saw the other posts.

I have checked the "kill" switch and my bike won't turn over with it "off".  So this does not appear to be the problem.

Have run it to a charger numerous times as I have cursed the motorcycle gods.  It refuses to start with a charger but I am willing to try will my car. 

Am feeling like there is an issue that makes no sense.  Appears that I have air, fuel and spark but no fire.  Agree that low charge on the battery may be the culprit but I added the charger and still no changes.

Is it a possible electrical issue?  Is there a solenoid that may be bad?  I have read all of the manuals on getting it going and it never mentions one but that is certainly how it seems....right up until you look at the fact that when I checked the plug on #1 is was strong.

Really at a loss.  Feel like I checked most everything that could be checked.

Not sure what to do, but to take it to the shop in hopes that they can correct and I can enjoy the bike instead of being as bent out of shape as I am presently.

[Chrisj CMA]

Jump it, car not running

[Firefighter]

Is the gas fresh? It is gas, correct?

[Steel cowboy]

Just my 2 cents here, but, are the spark plugs wet. With it not starting or sputtering the plugs should be wet with all that cranking. You didn't cover the air intake when you removed the tank. I find it is better to walk away and relax a bit, I work better with a cleared head. That's what I did ( for a week, lol) on the interstate daymakers head light mod. Good luck to you, you'll get it straightened out !!

[Toovalks]

i'm a novice when it comes to these bikes as well... But it sounds just like the Valk I just bought. If it was sitting a couple of months..(mine 2 years in a hot Arizona garage). Could the carbs / jets and or needles be gummed up already??? mine were so bad that the needles wouldn't even come up out of the jets/ emulsion tubes. All jets were plugged. It would crank over liked a raped you know what... Good spark...no ...fire...good battery...etc. I hope you don't have to pull the carbs but you maybe could pull a jet or two to have a look see....Just because there is gas in the bowls doesn't mean it's getting to the cylinders . Just my 2 cents worth.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just my 2 cents here, but, are the spark plugs wet. With it not starting or sputtering the plugs should be wet with all that cranking. You didn't cover the air intake when you removed the tank. I find it is better to walk away and relax a bit, I work better with a cleared head. That's what I did ( for a week, lol) on the interstate daymakers head light mod. Good luck to you, you'll get it straightened out !!

May I say. You did a fine job on those lights. I'm going to have to start looking for an extra light assembly. 

[Crackerborn]

In your OP you say the plugs are dry, the plugs should be wet after a few cranks if gas is getting to the cylinders. Recheck the line to the carb bank for uphill flow which will starve the carbs. Is there a fuel solinoid in line that is disconnected?  Or an additional fuel filter that could be starving the Girl. Unless you are the Original Owner and know otherwise, there could be modifications to the fuel delivery system.

[The emperor has no clothes]

In your OP you say the plugs are dry, the plugs should be wet after a few cranks if gas is getting to the cylinders. Recheck the line to the carb bank for uphill flow which will starve the carbs. Is there a fuel solinoid in line that is disconnected?  Or an additional fuel filter that could be starving the Girl. Unless you are the Original Owner and know otherwise, there could be modifications to the fuel delivery system.

Good call on the Dan Marc. I didn't think about that. 

[Attic Rat]

I have seen on some bikes that sat for a long time that the gas goes flat and will not start. Try draining the gas from the carbs and put new gas back in. I have also seen the spark plugs get fuel fouled and will not start. You have to take a wire brush to them to clean them or replace them.

[Moonshot_1]

This is what I get out of this thread so far

You had a leaky petcock and the bike would otherwise start and run ok.
You replaced the petcock and the bike will turn over but not fire up and start.

The obvious culprit is that the new petcock is bad or was not installed correctly somehow. Something, unbeknownst to you, was not correct on the install.

My course of action would be to completely remove the petcock, re-inspect it, the fuel lines and vacuum lines. Maybe some gunk got caught up in things blocking proper fuel flow. Do some vacuum test on the petcock while removed to ensure it is functioning properly. Re-install.

The bike was running before this project. The only significant change was the petcock and it's installation.
I'd thoroughly remove and reinstall the petcock at least once more before seeking professional help. It'll likely be the first thing the professionals would do anyway. 

[Willow]

... The only significant change was the petcock and it's installation.
... 

The other significant issue you are ignoring is that the bike sat for a few months without running or replacing the fuel.

[da prez]

  O V , post your location. There is someone near.  You have been given a lot of info. Take a deep breadth and start as if some one brought you the bike with this problem. Fresh fuel , clean plugs , fully charged battery (10.8 or better to start(if I remember right)
It will turn out to be a simple problem.

                                                           da prez

[longrider]

Every time the fuel tank is removed it is wise to check the peacock for diaphragm leaks and fuel flow.  Easy to do   A one foot piece of 3/8 hose and a fuel jug.  The tank will sit on a workbench flat and  with the petcock hanging below.  Pull the tank just far enough off that the hose can be attached.  Pull a vacuum and turn the valve to on.  Fuel should flow nicely and vacuum should hold.  Another thing.  If the carbs are dry and vacuum is applied it will take at least a minute to fill the carbs.  So a few seconds of vacuum won't do it

[Hooter]

Did this bike ever srart?

[Bagger John - #3785]

Did this bike ever srart?

It ran fine until petcock replacement.

[Hooter]

I get that, is it fixed?

[Blackduck]

Did you remove the tank to change the petcock?
Have you checked for spark at 4 and 6 cylinders? May have knocked wiring loose for the 2 rear coils.
Have you kinked the breather line? Open the fuel cap while drawing a vacuum on the  hose to the petcock.
Have you checked the vacuum nipple into #6 is clear?

[Chrisj CMA]

How did jumping g it to the car work out?

[Moonshot_1]

... The only significant change was the petcock and it's installation.
... 

The other significant issue you are ignoring is that the bike sat for a few months without running or replacing the fuel.

Not ignoring it, the fuel issue just doesn't make my short list. The long list, sure.

[Ozark Valkyrie]

Have been away for a awhile and finally got back to the bike.  The fuel had been changed when I was still battling the issues.  Did have a faulty petcock.  Replaced again, cleaned tank and still not running.  Removed and cleaned/reset the carbs and I am running excellent.  Guess I should have just bit the bullet and done the carbs but it had sat with a fuel treatment and I had drained/replaced the fuel.  Apparently the gas in the carbs was the issue as everything was in need of cleaning.

Thanks for all the support.  Runs excellent now and took it out yesterday and stretched her legs.  She needs more attention than I had been able to give last year but right now, she is running like a brand new bike.  Everything is tight, idles perfect and rides out like the 11,000 mile 1999 garage baby she has always been.

Also bought a new windshield.  Got a light tint and vent, it looks great!

Not smart enough to post a picture or I would. 

Thanks again guys.  Appreciate all the ideas and suggestions.

[rockbobmel]

I can identify............ "Not smart enough to post a picture or I would." 
Only happened once....