Dennis Hammerl
Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:07:30 -0800
I don't know. Never did any testing on that. My job requires that I move on
quickly to the next. Be neat to find out.
--- On Fri, 12/5/08, Joe '86 450 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: Joe '86 450 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: New nighthawk owner, new rider, new group
member, new stalling/fuel problem? -- new new new
To: "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" <nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com>
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008, 1:16 AM
Another quick thought. Would a full tank make the problem worse? I was
thinking of the volume of air in the tank, I maybe off base here.
Thanks.
Joe
On Dec 4, 10:06 pm, "Joe '86 450"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Thanks for that Dennis. I will look into replacing the cap/venting the
> tank. I was thinking of trying the ride with the cap not on completely
> but I like the "T' idea better.
>
> Joe
>
> On Dec 4, 9:43 pm, Dennis Hammerl <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > What wonderful troubleshooting you do! You've diagnosed your own
problem. The gas cap is not venting properly. I saw this Tuesday on a Honda
GX340 mounted on a septic tank cleaning truck (crapper) The air lock causes a
starvation after a few minutes. I replaced the cap and sent it on its way (none
too soon, phew) The cause seems to be the increased alcohol in fuel now.
It's causing a swelling of the gasket that seals it to the tank. The
swelling closes off the small vent. Replace the cap or... One cure I had for a
bike that I couldn't get a cap for was to put a "tee" fitting in
the fuel line and run a translucent hose (gas resistant) under the tank and up
to the fork nut. That put it above the fuel level and supplied a vent. Leave it
open at the end or cap it, just remember to drill a small hole in the cap. Being
translucent, it makes a gas gauge too. (Hey Kyle, remember that from your X6 ?
The gas gauge on the left side of the tank) I suspect I'll be
> > seeing this more often in the near future as the E level increases.
For now, when you feel it going down, open the cap for a second or two.
>
> > --- On Thu, 12/4/08, Joe '86 450 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
> > From: Joe '86 450 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] New nighthawk owner, new rider, new group
member, new stalling/fuel problem? -- new new new
> > To: "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!"
<nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com>
> > Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 11:25 PM
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > As the message header indicates I'm a recent addition to the
nighthawk
> > group, new to nighthawks and new to riding. I own a 1986 450,named
> > Jenny by the previous owner, that I picked up here in the L.A. area
> > with a questionable 18k on the odometer. Questionable only because
the
> > speedo was swinging like mad on the test ride and stopped working
> > completely a week or so after I bought it. I now have about 200 - 300
> > miles on the bike, and things have been going well.
>
> > I've learned quite a bit since I've been lurking here ( the
tires
> > aren't quite as new as the previous owner stated, that clunk into
> > first is somewhat normal, battery care etc) but I've come across
a new
> > problem. I set off to work this morning with a detour to the gas
> > station (1.5 miles tops) to top off my front tire when the bike
stalls
> > at about 40 mph. Feels just like I ran out of gas (tank filled the
> > night before). I checked the petcock thinking I had forgotten to turn
> > it on but it was good. I switched to reserve, no dice. I spent a
> > couple minutes rolling off the busy street,parking etc, opened my
tank
> > to make sure I wasn't hallucinating about the full tank. I
figured one
> > more try before the walk of shame home, and the bike fired up with a
> > little sputtering and then proceeded to run fine all the way to work
> > ( ~20 miles @ 35 mph)
>
> > So, onto the ride home. About 20 min. into the ride at ~40 mph I feel
> > the bike start to stumble, I reach down and switch to reserve
thinking
> > some sort of blockage on the intake, and it clears up. Another 10
min.
> > down the road a big stumble and several stalls from a stop ( being a
> > new rider I assume with my fingers crossed that it is me but that
> > wears thin with the third stall). Repeated starts and stalls,
> > switching to reserve and then it clears up for another 5 mins.
Another
> > stall and this one lasts about 5 ~ 7 minutes, the bike has been on
> > reserve since the last stall. Playing with the petcock again, opening
> > the tank and resting and the bike fires up and I ride the last couple
> > of minutes home. The last clue comes as I shut the bike off and start
> > to back it into the garage-- I hear a faint hissing sound and its
> > coming from the gas cap. I open the tank and there is a hiss as the
> > pressure equalizes(in or out I don't know). Mind you its only
been
> > about 3/4 to a mile since I last opened the tank. So, my guess is
some
> > sort of fuel system blockage/slowdown that starves the bike for gas
> > and then manages to clear up. I have decent car repair knowledge but
> > am new to bikes and am hoping for a few pointers. Thanks for taking
> > the time to read this far and for any help you can offer.
>
> > Joe in Altadena
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