Install electric solenoid fuel shutoff valve

[okie2ee]

Ever since I first purchased my GL 1500 several years ago, I've had one problem after another with the vacuum operated fuel shut off valve. I rebuilt the valve once but there appears to be a defect in the casting along the sealing edge of the diaphragm. I was stranded on the freeway last year and had to bypass the valve to get going again. I have been schooled on the dangers of not having a shut off device in the fuel line, which can cause major problems. I've been running a year with no shut off valve and finally decided to install the electric solenoid shut off valve that I purchased 6 months ago.
To start, check out the instructions for rebuilding the vacuum shut off valve for how to gain access to the valve and remove it. After removing the valve it's pretty straight forward to install the electric shut off valve. I purchased the valve on Ebay for $36, it's an

AFC-111 12VDC solenoid valve

Working pressure 0-30 PSI

2-way normally closed inline solenoid

Orifice size .156” for adequate flow of all fuels

100,000 cycle tested. Extensive test data available

Minimum draw - 12VDC when fully energized

Optional wire connecting terminals

OEM approved

Easy installation - 1/8” female pipe threads, inlet and outlet

Ambient Temperature rating -40°F to +250°F, or 170° Fluid

First, I installed two 90 degree elbows on the inlet and outlet of the valve. I then installed 3/8" hose barb fittings on each of the
elbows. I aligned the hose barb fittings so that they were almost 180 degree apart.

Vacuum shut off valve removed

Fuel valve with hose barbs attached

Fuel valve installed on existing fuel lines, I did trim fuel lines as required to fit into space

Fuel valve installed

Fuel installed

Fuel valve wired up with quick disconnect connector, valve didn't require mechanical mounting
I blocked off the vacuum line with a screw using the original tubing clamp

[Rednaxs60]

Nice install and work around. Working well?

[okie2ee]

I have just installed the valve and have not ridden it yet. So far it works fine starting and stopping when parked. I don't expect any problems.

[okie2ee]

Quick update............have been riding the bike for the past week and no problems at all...........fuel flowing freely

[jbaviera]

I wonder if this would be an option on my CM400T? I don't ride it much, so I have a problem of not only remembering to turn off the petcock after a ride, but also turning it on before a ride.

[okie2ee]

All I can do is tell you that the shut-off valve is still working fine, with no problems so far. Sounds like it would be an good solution to the problem you described.

[mito57]

Nice mod! My only concern is what would happen should the valve fail to open either for an electrical or mechanical problem. Do you have an easy way to bypass it?

[detdrbuzzard]

looks like i may be able to use this valve on my ST 1100

[WingAdmin]

looks like i may be able to use this valve on my ST 1100

Honda used the same vacuum petcock on MANY different motorcycles. But yeah, that would be great for your reserve fuel, wouldn't it?

[detdrbuzzard]

looks like i may be able to use this valve on my ST 1100

Honda used the same vacuum petcock on MANY different motorcycles. But yeah, that would be great for your reserve fuel, wouldn't it?

the aux tank is on the Mighty ST 1300, its gravity feed so a simple petcock will do which is what i have. my ST 1100 has a bad vacuum valve, you guys haven't seen it cause i'm still doing a little work on it. so far i've added a russell daylong seat, handlebar risers, brakes front and rear, tires front and rear, new rear shock, new springs up front along with new fork seals, a new set of tires, driving lights, and a trunk

[detdrbuzzard]

this is what i'm going to use the electric solenoid valve on that i've kept quiet about. i've found the valve on ebay and will be ordering a couple of them real soon

[MikeB]

It really seems to me that it is a whole lot of work and trouble just to bypass what Honda has installed and has a proven track record.

The OEM Auto Fuel Shut-Off valve works really well, needs no power and it easily rebuildable. It seems to me that leaving things stock is a better idea but that is just my opinion.

[detdrbuzzard]

It really seems to me that it is a whole lot of work and trouble just to bypass what Honda has installed and has a proven track record.

The OEM Auto Fuel Shut-Off valve works really well, needs no power and it easily rebuildable. It seems to me that leaving things stock is a better idea but that is just my opinion.

there are a lot of guys on the ST forum that are just bypassing the vacuum shut off and not having a problem that i thought about just doing that. some have rebuilt the valve but i like the electric one bette

[okie2ee]

It really seems to me that it is a whole lot of work and trouble just to bypass what Honda has installed and has a proven track record.

The OEM Auto Fuel Shut-Off valve works really well, needs no power and it easily rebuildable. It seems to me that leaving things stock is a better idea but that is just my opinion.

All is well and good if your valve is not defective..............mine was defective and I rebuilt it and it was still defective............ and then it becomes an issue of making Honda richer and me poorer or finding another lower cost solution with equal or better reliability...........a quick Google search indicates that all is not honky dory with the OEM Auto Fuel Shut-Off valve................I feel a whole lot more confident that gas will be flowing reliably and not varying intermittently with vacuum related issues...........that's my experience and it wasn't all that much work to convert to an electric shutoff valve

[KI6JDE]

This is great, but how did you wire it. Can you share how you wired it?

[okie2ee]

I wired the solenoid directly to the auxiliary power terminal block above and next to the fuses and relays..............these two terminals are powered up with the key switch in the run position.............solenoid is still working without any problems.......no more surging or hesitations under hard throttle................if you need anymore info please let me know.........

[khspe2]

Wouldn’t it be better (safer) to wire the valve to the fuel pump power? This way, if the bike tips, the bank angle sensor will shut off the pump and the valve at the same time.

The original diaphragm/vacuum valve would shut if the engine died, and wiring the new valve to the fuel pump lead would restore this safety feature.

[okie2ee]

I'm always amazed at the continuing analysis of ideas and proposed solutions on this site..................good point regarding bank angle sensor.............however, I drive a trike and don't expect to roll over and if I do I'm not sure being cremated is going to be my major issue to worry about...............I've put another couple of thousand miles on the bike since the valve installation and no problems with fuel flow

[Wingerdinger1500]

Great to read of this fix. I had first read threads of the vacuum operated valve malfunction issue when I bought my 99' Valkyrie.
I did not like the idea that flooding of the engine with raw fuel was a possibility!! Way to go Honda!

Also I like to be able to drain my float bowls of most of the fuel before putting her up for the night, week, or month!
especially with any Ethanol fuel!

I suppose an additional inline switch in the electrical circuit could accommodate this..

What other options does one have with the OEM setup, for draining the carbs before winterizing?

[MikeB]

What other options does one have with the OEM setup, for draining the carbs before winterizing?

You could always open the fuel door and either remove the vacuum line or pinch it off at the vacuum operated fuel valve. Without vacuum, the valve should remain closed and not allow fuel to pass.

[Wingerdinger1500]

Hmmm.Might have to experiment with that....
MikeB, I bought my bike from a JonB in Tacoma. Lol.
Flew out there from West Palm Beach, FL back in May 2021 and drove it home 2 up!
Only with a Goldwing can one dare to do that!
We turned a 3300 mile trip into almost 6k! Loved every minute if it!!
We did Mt Ranier, Cascades down thru Yakima, up and out thru spokane. The st Joe river to Avery, Idaho.
Ennis,Montana into west yellowstone, Yellowstone to Jackson hole via the wind river range and Tetons.
East across Wyoming thru Riverton, Casper, Cheyenne.
Into Boulder, Co. Hit Estes Park, then South on 7, West on 70 thru Vail, South on 24 to Leadville, South to 160,
West to Durango, up to Silverton. The Million $ Hwy to Ouray, over to Telluride,back thru Ridgeway,Montrose, east on 50 to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, doubled back to Montrose, up to Delta then across the North side of the Gunnison on 92 (Awesome!!). Continued on 50 east from Gunnison to Pueblo and up to Colorado Springs. jogged back up to Hwy 70 for the long slog across Kansas, Missouri, IL, KY,TN, thru Maryville,TN to Townsend, 441 thru the GSMNP, into N Carolina, GA, FL...whew!!!
Seems like a dream now. I didn't think I was ever gonna get to do a trip like this in my lifetime. I'm 59 and wife is 55.
But with the help of God, friends and family, it all came together rather quickly! God Is amazing!!
My only regret is that I wasn't better prepared with adequate camera gear. Cell phone vids were just to shakey..The stills were great though. Gotta sift thru them for a choice avatar!!

[MikeB]

Hmmm.Might have to experiment with that....
MikeB, I bought my bike from a JonB in Tacoma. Lol.
Flew out there from West Palm Beach, FL back in May 2021 and drove it home 2 up!
Only with a Goldwing can one dare to do that!
We turned a 3300 mile trip into almost 6k! Loved every minute if it!!
We did Mt Ranier, Cascades down thru Yakima, up and out thru spokane. The st Joe river to Avery, Idaho.
Ennis,Montana into west yellowstone, Yellowstone to Jackson hole via the wind river range and Tetons.
East across Wyoming thru Riverton, Casper, Cheyenne.
Into Boulder, Co. Hit Estes Park, then South on 7, West on 70 thru Vail, South on 24 to Leadville, South to 160,
West to Durango, up to Silverton. The Million $ Hwy to Ouray, over to Telluride,back thru Ridgeway,Montrose, east on 50 to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, doubled back to Montrose, up to Delta then across the North side of the Gunnison on 92 (Awesome!!). Continued on 50 east from Gunnison to Pueblo and up to Colorado Springs. jogged back up to Hwy 70 for the long slog across Kansas, Missouri, IL, KY,TN, thru Maryville,TN to Townsend, 441 thru the GSMNP, into N Carolina, GA, FL...whew!!!
Seems like a dream now. I didn't think I was ever gonna get to do a trip like this in my lifetime. I'm 59 and wife is 55.
But with the help of God, friends and family, it all came together rather quickly! God Is amazing!!
My only regret is that I wasn't better prepared with adequate camera gear. Cell phone vids were just to shakey..The stills were great though. Gotta sift thru them for a choice avatar!!

Sounds like a great trip. The last time I was out that direction was in May of 2014. Rode my 2003 GL1800 to Tennessee to visit a friend and came back through Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming.
Look like you have had your GL1500 for a relatively short time. You are in the right place to learn things about it here at goldwingdocs. Lots of info available.

[Rednaxs60]

Hmmm.Might have to experiment with that....
MikeB, I bought my bike from a JonB in Tacoma. Lol.
Flew out there from West Palm Beach, FL back in May 2021 and drove it home 2 up!
Only with a Goldwing can one dare to do that!
We turned a 3300 mile trip into almost 6k! Loved every minute if it!!
We did Mt Ranier, Cascades down thru Yakima, up and out thru spokane. The st Joe river to Avery, Idaho.
Ennis,Montana into west yellowstone, Yellowstone to Jackson hole via the wind river range and Tetons.
East across Wyoming thru Riverton, Casper, Cheyenne.
Into Boulder, Co. Hit Estes Park, then South on 7, West on 70 thru Vail, South on 24 to Leadville, South to 160,
West to Durango, up to Silverton. The Million $ Hwy to Ouray, over to Telluride,back thru Ridgeway,Montrose, east on 50 to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, doubled back to Montrose, up to Delta then across the North side of the Gunnison on 92 (Awesome!!). Continued on 50 east from Gunnison to Pueblo and up to Colorado Springs. jogged back up to Hwy 70 for the long slog across Kansas, Missouri, IL, KY,TN, thru Maryville,TN to Townsend, 441 thru the GSMNP, into N Carolina, GA, FL...whew!!!
Seems like a dream now. I didn't think I was ever gonna get to do a trip like this in my lifetime. I'm 59 and wife is 55.
But with the help of God, friends and family, it all came together rather quickly! God Is amazing!!
My only regret is that I wasn't better prepared with adequate camera gear. Cell phone vids were just to shakey..The stills were great though. Gotta sift thru them for a choice avatar!!

Sometimes the impromtue trips are the best. Don't get locked into a schedule. Now you'be done one, time for a second!

[Wingerdinger1500]

That is the truth Rednaxs60! We've been back and forth to the Smokies over the last 11 yrs on our 1200,
But the first trip in 2011 when we just up and went on a moments notice was the most memorable for sure!! Haha! We ended up riding the Dragon before we knew it was called that!!