wayne z
Well-Known Member
I bought my first vmax 3 months ago and the first thing i did when i got it home was take the seat off to check the load on the battery.When i saw the fuel line, gas tank, fuel filter, electric fuel pump in the same area as the battery, coils, stater relay, i thought "WHY"?
Good thought, crossed my mind too. The Japanese designers had a lot of confidence in their designs, rightfully so, and probably were more concerned with making a fast cheap muscle bike, and not safety issues of 30 year old failing parts.
So the responsibility is on us to be especialy knowledgable and dilligent
about maintenence of older machines for safety's sake.
I am going to experiment with a Mikuni vacuum pulse powered fuel pump made for an ultralight or snowmobile engine, on my Vmax. Prolly work fine powered by the pulse from one of the vacuum taps. Would have to put a squeeze bulb or plunger primer somewhere to prime the carbs before starting, after sitting a day or more. I used one to power a Continental A-75 164 cu. in. engine on my last experimental plane, powered by the exhaust pulse of one cyl, with no problems at all.
Might be a cheap and safe alternative, and one less electrical device and circuit to fail amongst all the fuel plumbing.
I will start another thread about the fuel pump experiment, and I encourage other gearheads to give it try it too, I'm 99% sure this will work fine, if you don't mind having a squeeze bub, or a plunger pump.
Wayne Z