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Just about had it with my Petcock

  • Thread starter Thread starter MOC
  • Start date Start date
M

MOC

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Well fellas. I'm about 2 inches away from losing my mind. My petcock ('80) is dribbling fuel, and my freaking carbs are dripping fuel. I've been through all the hoops. I've rebuilt the factory petcock. I've swapped the rebuilt one for a different one off a newer bike. I've rebuilt THAT one. I've put a stiffer spring in the diaphragm. I've pulled about all the hair I have on my head completely out. I've already lost an entire tank of fuel into the crankcase, and I'm getting sick of worrying whether or not I've got to do an oil change in the parking lot of the taco bell because the damn fuel system sucks.

I don't want to spend a fortune on a fancy manual petcock, so my question is this. Is an inline fuel shut off valve between the petcock and my carbs a reasonable solution to the problem? I see lots of brass fuel fittings online, but they all say something like "Not for engines over 300cc's". Has anyone resorted to this? I worry about fuel starvation while I'm riding, so I'd like something that can handle the fuel i'm burning. Does anyone have a suggestion on a fitting I might use?

Cheers.
Mike
 
You can get a brand new petcock for $50 shipped off ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1980-GS...Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f7ad4390&vxp=mtr Rebuilding that model petcock, the leverless model, is ripe for disaster since there is a check valve built into the back cover that can not be replaced. Please check the archives for countless threads expounding on this fact. It's not just me that thinks this way.

BTW, if your float needles are weak, which apparently yours are, you should replace them. Even if the petcock is dribbling, the float needles should hold back the fuel.

Check Z1 Enterprises for float needle packs. They will hook you up.
 
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My petcock is the 3 way lever kind with the Prime, On, and Reserve options. Not sure if this makes a difference. Also, I ride a 450, and that link is apparently for the 550 and up. It doesnt look anything like mine, and i'm not sure if the bolt pattern is the same.
 
regarding the needle valves, that's not a bad idea. I'm planning on upgrading my brake hoses to ss, and will probably grab some of those when i make my order. LOVE Z1
 
Okay, my bad about the petcock. Thought you had the leverless type.
 
no. leaving it on the "ON" setting. i've even gone as far as to pop the vacuum line off the carb body and blow into it to force the diaphragm to pop back and close. That slows the drip, but often times it doesn't stop it.

at this point i've been driving the bike down to the reserve fuel level and riding a few miles on reserve so the "On" position effectively prevents the fuel level from being high enough to dribble.
 
I had the same problem on my 80 750 until I just bought a new petcock. My 1100 has a pingle valve installed by the PO. Thats an option also.
 
I'd love to find a set up where i have an 'off' setting. that way, if the carbs flood out, it's my own fault. thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I'm going to investigate the bolt spacing and see what i might adapt for this problem
 
That's the one I put on my 82 GS1100G. I had the same pet cock issue, rebuilt the original and talked to some buddies and they suggested it anyway. So finally said screw it and added the valve. It works, except for the time I forgot to close it off, then had to change the oil.
 
that's what i've been looking at, but it's saying on there it's no good for anything beyond 300 ccs. did you have fuel starvation problems?
 
couldn't one use a shut off valve from a Hardware Store, you know those brass one with the brass internals, at least gas would not eat away at any of the parts, and I am sure one sould be found to fit the size of tubing we have on the bike, and would not cause any fuel starvation ??

.
 
GateKeeper said:
couldn't one use a shut off valve from a Hardware Store, you know those brass one with the brass internals...
.
Click to expand...

not a bad idea. as long as it's fuel safe on whatever internal little gaskets inside, i don't really care where it comes from. i will poke around and see what's available. great idea
 
try a performance auto shop as well, they might have something.....

.
 
Wish I was there to help you sort it out.
Petcocks can be trying. You have to have a clear head when working on them, and still they can give you fits.

I'm not sure which petcock you're using that physically fits your tank.
I believe you're using one similar to this one.
m-zvxoLAroM2SKogU-oFuDg.jpg


I once saw a thread where a guy filed away the physical stop that kept the lever from pointing upright, believe he had to shorten the lever a bit also so it would clear his tank. But he said in that position, the lever pointing up, it wouldn't allow fuel to flow. Now I haven't tried this myself,
and I'm hoping you could find a way other than this, but you seem to be at the desperation point. If all else fails you could try this, no gaurantee's.
 
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MOC said:
I'd love to find a set up where i have an 'off' setting. that way, if the carbs flood out, it's my own fault. thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I'm going to investigate the bolt spacing and see what i might adapt for this problem
Click to expand...
Yeah, measure. Most popular petcock has 44 mm bolt centerline spacing with both fuel outlet and vac fitting facing toward rear.The vacuum petcock works well- but not forever. My first lasted 31 years.
 
I have the same overflow/ leak problem with my '81 450 and thought that service kit (20$) could solve the problem. Unfortunately previous owner had taken all the stuff out from petcock and sealed the vacuum line. The service kit had no spring on it and neither Suzuki nor other mc dealers doesn't offer a replacement. So I asked advice from our Finnish veteran motorcycle forum, if they knew where to look for the spring. The solutions given to me were a) buy a new petcock (70$ inc. mail) b) get rid off all the stuff inside the petcock (previous owners solution-> not working) or c) get inline valve. Probably needless to say that back and pride won't bend to buy a new one just because of a one spring. And if it would come to buying a new petcock, I probably would get a manual one with adapter.

But it would be nice to hear afterwards what was your final solution.
 
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I'm probably going to go for the brass shut off valve in line with the existing fuel lines. the inside diameter of the fuel outlet on the factory petcock is 1/4 inch, so anything within that spec should flow enough fuel for my carbs to drink from comfortably. I don't plan on owning this bike forever, so i'd like to keep my investments in it somewhat modest.

not sure when i'll get around to it, however. had a break in last night, and i've been spending my time/money sorting out our security issues here at the house.

thanks as usual for the feedback fellas.
 
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