Fuel leak (86 Shadow)

subhuman · 11-17-2009, 09:53 PM

Hey guys

So my buddy has an 86 Shadow VT700c, he got it for about 2 grand and its in good shape (IMO he paid too much) The handlebars seem to be turned slightly the wrong way, if you're going straight it feels like your hands are pointed slightly to the left. I laughed at him for a while and we added it to the list of things that need to be fixed. However, after we got it home we noticed it was leaking fuel. Badly. Major bummer. Its not from the tank and the fuel lines to the carbs are dry. We can't seem to find the source of the leak...I think it might be a reserve tank although I'm no expert and I'm %100 sure it has a reserve tank. I'm looking for ideas as to how we can go about fixing this.

I have a couple, the first was letting it run out completely, letting it dry, juice it up and try to find the source of the leak so we can JB weld it.

The second was to figure out a way to bypass the reserve tank.

Any thoughts?

HondaIlya · 11-27-2009, 09:49 PM

id get my money back

Munkey990 · 11-28-2009, 10:11 AM

I think this model had 2 gas tanks. Not really a reserve tank exactly but an extra tank under the seat that just increases the fuel capacity since the normal tank is kinda small for styling purposes.

If he purchased the bke from a dealer in used bikes, I'd agree with HondaIlya, take it back where you got it. If he purchased it from an individual, that's probably not an option.

The only thing I see to do is start disassemling until you find the source of the leak. It's probably in one of 4 places.
1. One of the 2 tanks as you've already addressed.
2. The petcock could be leaking and need to be rebuilt.
3. A fuel line could have a crack in it. They do dry out and crack and need to be replaced occasionally.
4. The carbs themselves could be leaking.

subhuman · 12-01-2009, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the input munkey. I'll have him over this weekend and we'll tear it down to find the source, I'll take pictures.

68BS90 · 12-01-2009, 03:26 PM

Does it leak with the petcock turned off? Could be the carb float valve not shutting off. Follow the overflow tube and see if it ends right above the puddle. I'd start with the petcock. If the leak stops when it's off, probably the carb(s). If it leaks when it's on, but not on reserve, I'd check the valve and if it leaks whether it's off, on or res, then it's probably the valve or upstream.

11-17-2009, 09:53 PM	#1
subhuman Verified Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: KBay, Hawaii Posts: 35	Fuel leak (86 Shadow) Hey guys So my buddy has an 86 Shadow VT700c, he got it for about 2 grand and its in good shape (IMO he paid too much) The handlebars seem to be turned slightly the wrong way, if you're going straight it feels like your hands are pointed slightly to the left. I laughed at him for a while and we added it to the list of things that need to be fixed. However, after we got it home we noticed it was leaking fuel. Badly. Major bummer. Its not from the tank and the fuel lines to the carbs are dry. We can't seem to find the source of the leak...I think it might be a reserve tank although I'm no expert and I'm %100 sure it has a reserve tank. I'm looking for ideas as to how we can go about fixing this. I have a couple, the first was letting it run out completely, letting it dry, juice it up and try to find the source of the leak so we can JB weld it. The second was to figure out a way to bypass the reserve tank. Any thoughts? __________________ Semper Fi

11-27-2009, 09:49 PM	#2
HondaIlya Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lake Placid, NY Posts: 419	id get my money back __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-01-2009, 02:07 PM	#4
subhuman Verified Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: KBay, Hawaii Posts: 35	Thanks for the input munkey. I'll have him over this weekend and we'll tear it down to find the source, I'll take pictures. __________________ Semper Fi

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11-28-2009, 10:11 AM	#3
Munkey990 Verified Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 79	I think this model had 2 gas tanks. Not really a reserve tank exactly but an extra tank under the seat that just increases the fuel capacity since the normal tank is kinda small for styling purposes. If he purchased the bke from a dealer in used bikes, I'd agree with HondaIlya, take it back where you got it. If he purchased it from an individual, that's probably not an option. The only thing I see to do is start disassemling until you find the source of the leak. It's probably in one of 4 places. 1. One of the 2 tanks as you've already addressed. 2. The petcock could be leaking and need to be rebuilt. 3. A fuel line could have a crack in it. They do dry out and crack and need to be replaced occasionally. 4. The carbs themselves could be leaking.

12-01-2009, 03:26 PM	#5
68BS90 Master At Arms Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 161	Does it leak with the petcock turned off? Could be the carb float valve not shutting off. Follow the overflow tube and see if it ends right above the puddle. I'd start with the petcock. If the leak stops when it's off, probably the carb(s). If it leaks when it's on, but not on reserve, I'd check the valve and if it leaks whether it's off, on or res, then it's probably the valve or upstream.