petcock

 the importance of a properly functioning petcock on an older bike is
monstrous.
most old ones leak when off-just enough to build up gasoline in your
OIL-BEWARE....
question-should i rebuild mine or get a new one for a 1981 xj750 seca
if new-where????
peace

 


And another self-proclaimed expert.....who really knows nothing....rides
into town !!

Without a corresponding leaking needle valve or mal-adjusted float in the
carb., a leaking petcock results in...........NOTHING.  Certainly not gas in
the oil.....unless the overflow in the carb is also blocked closed.

You need to address your carb. problems first.

There may not even BE a problem with the shut-off.  If you ARE getting gas
in the oil, it might be getting there while the engine is running.

 Who Me? wrote:

Actually I don't keep my bikes in anything like an air conditioned
garage or parking so the gas cooks off and leaves varish or some other
indescribable goop in my carbs. Supposed to get to 108F today. I think
the new ethanol mixes actually suck up water from the air which makes
the situation a bit worse.

The 2smokes' carb bowls fill up with oil so I can kid myself that it
supplies extra lubrication when they start after a long time idle.<sic>

Rick

 

pre-mix?


--
Dave
ex Motorcycle Maintenance Workshop
http://tinyurl.com/4mhaw  

 Dave Emerson wrote:

Right. Since carburetor is vented to atmosphere the volitiles just cook
out the overflow tube and leave high boilers and solids.

Happens to me regardless of petcock but a leaky petcock certainly makes
the situation worse. Gets so hot and I some bikes I ride less then once
a year.

I should get off my duff and just drain tanks and seal up the bikes in
plastic sheets or something but I keep thinking "Next week I will start
riding every weekend." 91F in the shade as I write this.

Rick