• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Convert petcock to simple gravity feed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SuperCell
  • Start date Start date
S

SuperCell

Guest
With all the petcock issues on these bikes, why not try this:

Remove the 4 screws securing the "vacuum plate" to the petcock body. Throw the plate and diaphragm in the garbage. Make a small block-off plate out of heavy-gauge sheet metal to replace the old vacuum plate. Install this plate with a new gasket. Now, you have a simple, reliable, gravity-feed petcock. Simply install a fuel shutoff valve in the main feed line, and switch it to "off" when you're not riding.

What do you think?
 
The reason bikes have vacuum controlled fuel flow is so that the fuel is flowing only when the engine is running (and creating a vacuum) which is useful in two scenarios - 1) you can easily take the tank off the bike for maintenance or whatever without any fuel leaking, and 2) if you ever have an accident, it reduces the possibility of fuel leaking all over the place and making a major fire/explosion risk.

Most petcocks have a Prime position which works like the setup you're recommending - it's a straight shot to the carbs (just add the shutoff valve). But it's only intended to be used to fill the bowls with fuel after it's been sitting for a while or after a rebuild.

I've got the stock petcocks on all three bikes and, like most things, once their sorted out, they work fine.

That's my $.02
 
I have to agree with ptm. I have liked the concept since my 1966 X-5 Invader; it is not only safer, but easier to work on and you do not have to remember to shut the blasted thing off every time you stop.
 
Actually on some of the bikes I had in the past and ended up selling too get a better bike. I did just that when the vaccum part failed. I would just install a shut off valve in between the tank and the carbs. As for dismantenly a fine working one. I haven't done that yet. But for some who find problems with thier petcocks. Yes its an easy fix.
 
SuperCell said:
With all the petcock issues on these bikes, why not try this:

Remove the 4 screws securing the "vacuum plate" to the petcock body. Throw the plate and diaphragm in the garbage. Make a small block-off plate out of heavy-gauge sheet metal to replace the old vacuum plate. Install this plate with a new gasket. Now, you have a simple, reliable, gravity-feed petcock. Simply install a fuel shutoff valve in the main feed line, and switch it to "off" when you're not riding.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

This is what i did on my 78 GS750E.

To do it properly, you need to blank of a port in the petcock that feeds the prime position. Then prime becomes "off".

On and reserve stay the same.

Footy.
 
Somewhere in the archives is a post about converting the stock petcock to gravity fed and having an off position. It involved cutting the stop off the petcock for the lever so it can be turned straight up to block fuel flow.
 
SuperCell said:
With all the petcock issues on these bikes, why not try this:

petcock. Simply install a fuel shutoff valve in the main feed line, and switch it to "off" when you're not riding.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

+++++++++100%
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top