Petcock Question

[TomKat]

I am somewhat embarrassed to say that I do not know how to read the petcock on my 79 XS1100SF. MY previous bike was a Virago and all I had to do was operate an electrical petcock switch with my thumb to access my reserve.
Can someone enlighten me on this? Does the "Lever" point to "Off" if you want it off, or is that fine, almost invisible mark (looks almost like a casting mark) opposite the lever what you use? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks in advance.

[Lamric]

No worries, I wondered the same thing when I got my XS

You place the lever over the function you want.

[John LM]

I had the same problem- I was initially misinformed and was leaving the bike in prime rather than off, and running it in reserve rather than on.... one time when the low fuel light came on I switched it from reserve (which I thought was on) to on (which I thought was reserve) and the motor sputtered out (no gas in on)! This made me think that the reserve lines were clogged.

Anyway, when I brought the bike in for a tune-up they sorted me out.

All is good now, except my fuel efficiency seems poor- 10 or 11 km per liter. I should get at least 15... what do you guys get?

John

[TomKat]

Thanks for the help. One issue down, several more to sort thru!

As per fuel economy, I haven't put enough miles on the bike to tell, it's a moderate fixer-upper. She runs, but needs some TLC.

[Douglas Money]

3 tankfuls at 43 mpg (around town and up to 60 mph easy riding) 1 tankful at 40 mpg (80 mph expressway riding). I'm built for comfort instead of speed now.

[mro]

Depends

fuel efficiency seems poor

on my 80G (just under 22K on it)
Varies from mid 30's to mid 40's.

around town usally 33 to 36 mpg
highway 40 to 45 mpg



mro

[GNEPIG]

pet cocks

.. someone had fiddled around with the pet cocks on my black bike before i owned it and switched the face plates around. for a long time i thought i was turning them off but was actualy turning them to prime. didnt find out until i had to remove the tank and gas was pouring out.

..my gas milage stays steady at about 33 mpg, no matter how or where i ride it. this is the best milage i have ever gotten with one of these bikes. all of the rest, 25 mpg was the best.

[John LM]

Fuel

Hey,
Good to know about the fuel efficiency others experience as I was wondering if something was wrong... surprised that I get better mileage with my car.
John

[Bob Falter]

TomKat,

Glad to see a new member from Iowa. I ride out your direction once in a while. My daughter lives in Omaha. Get your bike running and maybe I can swing by and we can go for a ride.

Had the same petcock problem when I first got my XS. It is a bit confusing.

Bob