Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Probs. and repairs on my new TBA

I recently ran a few posts concerning some problems with my brand new TBA, here are the repairs. Under "my new TBA died on me today!" The problem turned out to be the tip over valve which is mounted in line in the the gas tank vent tube. The valve has a little check ball inside it that was stuck. The mechanic removed the valve, noted that he couldn't blow through it, rapped on it a few times and the ball freed up. He reinstalled it and so far so good. Prob.#2 The master cylander was leaking, replaced in its entirety under warranty. Prob. #3 Oil leaks from the clutch cover and the gear change cover. Both will be replaced under warranty during my initial 500 mile service which is only a couple hundred miles away. By the way the tip over valve problem was accurately diagnosed by the wise and noble members of this site, Thank You because I had to point the mechanic in the right direction.

wow you had a lot of issues you shouldn't have really ever seen. glad it got fixed the right way the first time for you and don't worry, these really are very reliable bikes

Frank

I wonder about that tip over valve, stuck on a new bike it should have been replaced not tapped on and re-installed.

I feel a lot better about my bike after working on it myself.
Just did the 12k valve adjust with help from here.
Get the manuals, and ask questions of those that have been there.
You'll find your answers here, and plenty of help, if you need it.

Ask away!
Uncle Charlie

I agree 100% with Charles but also, the satisfaction of doing this stuff yourself is brilliant.

I'm still over the moon I did my 12K svc myself too (let alone all the other stuff) but I can tell you, if I didn't have this site with it's members, I wouldn't even have gone close.

I'm usually pretty big on doing as much work myself as possible, it's just that I had so many issues with a brand new bike that I wanted to get all the probs. documented with the dealer just in case of any future recurrance. By the way Dog33 you were the guy that first mentioned the tip over valve. Thanks again. I'll keep a close eye on that tip over valve and if it acts up again I'll make a beeline back to the dealer.

As long as it is under warranty it's my opinion you are best off taking it to the dealer for any problem just in case the warranty comes into play.

Yours is the 3rd or 4th bike I have seen now with a problem with that valve. I would be willing to bet there have been quite a few more I am not aware of.

I would try to get a new tipper while you have a warranty . Put the graphite in it while it's off . Just tapping something is not repairing it . It will stick again .

I only knew about the tip over as it happened to mine...but get them to put a new one on at the 500 mile service.

But as for doing things yourself on a new bike.....as I put in one of the other posts... DON'T! It'll invalidate the warranty. If something major was to happpen over the next 2 years it'll be expensive. I'm not saying something major will, but you never know.

Be careful not to overfill the tank. Fuel running down the vent line is most often the cause of a blocked/stuck rollover valve.
Right behind that is the problem of dust or muddy water splashing up and being pulled into the hose by tank vacuum. The problem of mud is greatly reduced by the valve being in the middle of the hose, but it is still possible.
It would probably be a good idea to occasionally wash the valve out if you ride in harsh conditions.

cutting the vent hose end on an angle will also greatly reduce the likelyhood of mud or water blockage.