No, not a near accident, I just got lazy and almost had to pull the carbs.
So the new year, 2019, had just begun. Life had kept me busy and my Valkyrie just sitting for several weeks. About that time DDT got a serious Hankering and put out an invitation for folks to join him for some special chicken at some special place in Lorman, MS. I accepted that invitation and we made plans to meet in Oxford, AL. From there we would share the road to Lorman.
I backed my bike out of the garage anxious to to see if the brand new U-joint had eliminated that occasional clicking that had annoyed me on my previous ride. I bumped the starter button,.....all seemed well. I then pushed the start button and the engine turned just fine,...........but no fire! I checked the choke and it was fully on, pushed the start button again...............no fire,..maybe I did hear one cyl make a half hearted attempt, but no joy! This is really kicking me in the head! I let the starter cool a minute before trying again, yes, one cyl made a half hearted attempt,...it might have tried to fire 3 times in several revolutions this time. That’s an improvement but still........ Yikes! I might have to send a message to Bruce to go on without me.
After several tries, it began to fire enough to run on it’s own albeit very roughly. I coaxed the rpm up to about 1500 and held it there. Slowly the other cyl began to fire and eventually it was running good enough to try it on the road. I did and it got better as the day went on. I made it to Oxford thinking the carbs had cleared out well enough. But the next morning, I had to again coax her to life. Before that day ended, I bought a can of Berrymans which I put in the saddle bag to await the next tank fill up which would be the next day.
The next day arrived and the bike started fairly well. Not being one to over do it, I decided more riding would be enough without the Berrymans.
So once back home, they turn the roads white with salt and the bike sits a few weeks before I start it again. Had almost the same experience as the day I rode to Oxford! But the tank was about to go on reserve so first stop was to add Berrymans and fuel.
Usually, starting in late October and continuing until snow is not a concern here in the spring, I put marine stabil in
every tank of gas and only use non alcohol gas. That did not happen this year and I almost lost the ability to start the bike without having to pull the carbs and clean them. I knew better, so I have no excuse. Thankfully, the Berrymans has cleaned it up for now.
Bigwolf
