TL;DR: what do all the fuel ports do on my V7 II?
My previous bikes were 70s carbureted machines, so my knowledge is based off them. That said, read on for a nice chuckle, lessons learned, and questions to ask...
Recently, before a trip to Canada, i bought an INNOVV dual dash cam. Hooked the + and - wires up, couldn’t figure out where to hook the accessory wire to (Guzzi working diagram was hard to read), and made a random choice to solder in with a yellow wire that’s part of a harness near the battery under the seat. Dash cam worked great, but a few weeks later, I found the battery was draining - didn’t help when I left the engine cutoff switch ON <cough>. Battery needed to be replaced.
* Bought a lithium-iron battery, accidentally produced an arc because I always forgot which terminal to hook up first (I remember now!). Battery still holds A charge, but I wondered if it shorted too much.
* Bike started and ran for a while, but again began to have starting issues. I figured I had destroyed that lithium-iron battery or was hooked up to a permanently live feed with the AUX.
* Disconnected the dash cam setup; will address it again this spring.
* Bought a new LEAD ACID battery (not making THAT potentially expensive mistake twice!)...... Wrong size battery.
* Bought the CORRECT size lead-acid battery (not making THAT mistake twice!). Installed the battery, bike wouldn’t start.
* Feared I might’ve doofed up a relay or the starter motor!
* Checked the fuel tank. Low. Dumped some gas in. Still no start.
* Remembered that the one hose nearest the seat tends to pop off when I lift the tank. Lifted the tank - saw it was disconnected!
* Connected the hose, gave a few starts, and bammo! Back in business! The hose was short, dry, and cracked - decided to buy a new line. Assumed it was a fuel line.
* Replaced the old hose with new, longer fuel line hose. Realized it wasn’t a fuel line but a vent port.
I hope that was at least mildly entertaining. I tend to learn best from (sometimes expensive) mistakes.
2 QUESTIONS, though:
- is it a legitimate fact that the bike won’t start if the vent hose is disconnected? How is this so? Is there a sensor?
- there are a bunch more ports and hoses than I’m accustomed to, and I can’t find literature to what they all specifically are. Directing me to this knowledge or providing insight would be greatly appreciated!
Footnote: bike is currently running on lithium-iron battery with a battery tender. Will continue to monitor it. At least I have a lead acid battery backup!