450T Runs well then sputters out after 20 miles

[tkent02]

How can a leaky vacuum line hold a vacuum?
If it leaks the gas won't turn on.
Replace it and your bike might run.

[Phil]

Since you have the same carbs as I do I have a question.

How tight does the metal fitting that the vacuum hose attaches to the side of the carb fit?

Mine fits quite loosely. It will just pull out from the carb with basically zero effort. I can't imagine that is how it should be fitting.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get it to fit tightly?

In the meantime I am going to order a new petcock, even if its not the actual reason for this issue it takes a pair of pliars and a fair amount of force to move it from ON to RESERVE or PRIME. I'll replace the vacuum hose as well. That pesky little 90 degree metal fitting though seems to be an issue.

To answer your other questions, the inside of the tank is very clean with no evidence of rust of any kind and it don't have an inline filter

Just looking at that statement about dropping and dropping until it stalls over a minute or so says to me fuel starvation, but of course I've been wrong before...

Did you check the fuel tank for rust? Just wondering if there's a layer of rust covering the fuel tap filter in the tank that is able to float away a bit when stopped but gets sucked back against the filter when the fuel starts flowing.

Do you have a fuel filter inline at all?

That symptom reminds me of when I (stupidly) used a plastic bag over the fuel filler on a car when I lost the cap. The bag got sucked into the tank and would gradually get sucked over the tank outlet and cause the car to stall after a while, then would start and run for a bit after the bag floated away...

[Phil]

Where in Maine are you?

Might be best to just replace vacuum hose. In any event,check for correct petcock operation- very common problem. Put 1/4 inch clear vinyl tubing on petcock vac fitting, with lever in "on" or "res" spot, suck on it, fuel show flow copiously down gas line.

[tom203]

Where in Maine are you?

I hide out in Sebago! That metal fitting needs to be tightly attached to carb. Pull it out, if it's brass you might be able run a bead of solder around outer section that goes into carb-then force it back into carb.
Don't monkey with petcock, just get new one and eliminate it as a problem- $50

[Phil]

It does appear to be brass where it slides into the carb, I'll dig out the soldering iron and give that a shot. I am ordering the petcock today from Boulevard.

Hopefully that works out this issue. Since I am a new rider I am trying to build up my confidence and sputtering out the first time I hit something remotely like a highway wasn't terribly helpful.

Other than this I think its a fairly ideal bike for newer riders.

I hide out in Sebago! That metal fitting needs to be tightly attached to carb. Pull it out, if it's brass you might be able run a bead of solder around outer section that goes into carb-then force it back into carb.
Don't monkey with petcock, just get new one and eliminate it as a problem- $50

[pete]

The vacuum fitting on mine isn't loose as such but does pull out with little effort, and in fact it usually comes out if I'm trying to disconnect the vacuum line.

It does sound like yours is looser though so try the solder trick.

Replacing the petcock sounds like a good idea, mine was like that after sitting during the rebuild and it turns out the metal disk inside was in several pieces so I ordered a new one from Boulevard.

[Phil]

I just placed the order for the petcock with Boulevard. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to arrive. Once I get home I will try the solder trick and see if it cures the issue. If not than the bike will just have to be parked until the petcock arrives.

The vacuum fitting on mine isn't loose as such but does pull out with little effort, and in fact it usually comes out if I'm trying to disconnect the vacuum line.

It does sound like yours is looser though so try the solder trick.

Replacing the petcock sounds like a good idea, mine was like that after sitting during the rebuild and it turns out the metal disk inside was in several pieces so I ordered a new one from Boulevard.

[tom203]

While you're waiting for petcock, go to hardware store and pick up a pair of 1/4 inch " sealing washers"- these go under mounting bolts -don't try to reuse old ones. I got mine ( $.33 each) at Ace in Gorham .
New to bikes??? avoid city drivers- head to suburbs to improve odds. First weeks are critical, so be safe!

[Phil]

I live pretty close to the Falmouth line so I have been attempting to ride in Falmouth and Cumberland which was going pretty well until the bike started acting up. I also did the Basic Rider Course at the Harley dealership in Hampton, NH. I have to admit it makes me wish I had a newer bike. It's tough to be confident when you are not entire confident of the machine under you.

I attempted the soldering but I have been having a hard time getting it to stick in thin layer. I'll give what I managed to do a shot tomorrow after work. I didn't realize the washers would be an issue or I would have just ordered the OEM ones when I ordered the petcock.

While you're waiting for petcock, go to hardware store and pick up a pair of 1/4 inch " sealing washers"- these go under mounting bolts -don't try to reuse old ones. I got mine ( $.33 each) at Ace in Gorham .
New to bikes??? avoid city drivers- head to suburbs to improve odds. First weeks are critical, so be safe!

[tom203]

I thought later that getting enough heat to get solder to run might be tough- you need a propane torch or similar, have any plumbing friends?? If no luck, try teflon thread tape. Most hardware stores would have the sealing washers- you just have to find where they are in store!
That's a good area to learn in. Once you get these maintenance issues sorted out , the bike will treat you right.

[barnbiketom]

How tight does the metal fitting that the vacuum hose attaches to the side of the carb fit?

Mine fits quite loosely. It will just pull out from the carb with basically zero effort. I can't imagine that is how it should be fitting.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get it to fit tightly?

Simply tap it in a wee bit with a small hammer or such. the fitting is a TAPERED fit inside the petcock itself.

[Phil]

I think I will try the Teflon tape as I already have some at home and have no plumber friends or propane torch. Any thoughts on some sort of adhesive like Locktite Red RTV high temp silicone adhesive?

In the carb rebuild guide for these in BassCliff's site he mentioned pulling that peice out with pliars. I don't remember having to do that at all. I always thought it was weird that it required zero effort to remove it.

I thought later that getting enough heat to get solder to run might be tough- you need a propane torch or similar, have any plumbing friends?? If no luck, try teflon thread tape. Most hardware stores would have the sealing washers- you just have to find where they are in store!
That's a good area to learn in. Once you get these maintenance issues sorted out , the bike will treat you right.

[tkent02]

I think I will try the Teflon tape as I already have some at home and have no plumber friends or propane torch. Any thoughts on some sort of adhesive like Locktite Red RTV high temp silicone adhesive?

In the carb rebuild guide for these in BassCliff's site he mentioned pulling that peice out with pliars. I don't remember having to do that at all. I always thought it was weird that it required zero effort to remove it.

Just tap it in like barnbiketom says.
It works.

[Phil]

It doesn't seem to work for mine. It just slides all the way in to the side of the carb with zero effort. Though I assumed thats how it was supposed to have work. I guess it somehow either shrank just enough over the years or something did something to it. Personally, I am not sure why it was designed to be removable in the first place.

Just tap it in like barnbiketom says.
It works.

[Mekanix]

Thoughts ?