Pet cocks ... should gas leak when left "on?"

[81xsproject]

I rebuilt my petcocks shortly after getting the bike road worth about 3 years ago. Still today, with the octo-valve removed, and the petcocks off, they do not leak when I have the hoses disconnected. I would know otherwise because there would be very obvious evidence of eroding engine paint where even a single drop landed.

However, even after the rebuild they would initially drip a little. To fix it, I pulled them back apart, made sure the housing was spotless, polished the face of the valve that contacts the rubber thing with all the holes, applied a little grease (which is probably long gone now), and most importantly, I bent the little spring washer to apply a little more pressure to the valve when all assembled. After that, no leaks.

[LCS249]

Hi all,

To clarify --> the only time fuel leaks is when the bike is OFF and the petcocks are left "ON."

I will be determining the reason as soon as possible. But the bike has lots of issues.

It doesn't sound like the carbs are happy, it's not running smoothly, there's a bit of rattling coming from somewhere, and there's vibration coming through the bars.

Only just got the bike about two weeks ago and did not ride it before agreeing to buy it -- bought it from someone on this site.

It looks nice, had some good cosmetic work done, and some gear shift updating. But it needs help.

It should run smooth as silk ... or a swiss clock. That's what I hope to get it to.

best, Leon

[DiverRay]

Leon,
Don't forget you will have to make a tool for doing the carb sync! I would suggest letting the tank run down, and then pulling BOTH petcocks and going through them. You probably DON'T need a kit, just clean them up well, bend the spring just a little bit for more force, and polish up all mating surfaces. That should stop the leack at the petcocks, and then you can go on to the carbs.

[Crazcnuk]

What you are describing are normal for getting a 'new' older bike.

Just do the procedures in the tech tip sections to get it tuned up and you will likely have it running like a swiss watch.

There are a few areas, in particular to check, ie: carbs, pick-up coils, as well as the usual suspects like spark plugs, cam cain adjust, etc.

There are plenty of experts here to help you through any of these areas to get your bike back on the road and purring like a kitten.

[LCS249]

Thank you Crazcnuk and DiverRay,

Knowing that you're all out there helped me feel a lot better about this venture.

I actually had an older XS back in 85 and it ran like a top.

Kind of expected this one to just start up and hum ...

Silly me.

You guys are great and your willingness to share your knowledge lifted my sinking heart ...

best, Leon

[Crazcnuk]

I went through the same thing, when I found out mine needed quite a bit. If it wasn't for this site, I likely would have scrapped it.

But, the 80G is on the road now, and most the rough stuff is past!

[LCS249]

got it to mechanic today

He said all four cylinders aren't firing ... but that it looks real nice.

That's what I'd suspected since it didn't feel (or sound) like full power, especially going uphill. Very fluttery engine sound instead of a hummmm.

He also said that with mileage that low (16,000) it has likely sat for long periods of time and the carbs are likely fouled.

And ... he said the pet cocks should not be leaking at all in any position, as several of you have said. The vacuum system should stop that.

I have neither the time nor the expertise to do this kind of work ... wish I did.

I want to make sure the bike is running smooth and safe before I start putting miles on it.

best, Leon

[Dragon Tamer]

Leon,
Best wishes on your project, get her tuned up and have fun! My thoughts on the leakage is that if it sat for a long time or even not the fuel lines are probably failing on you. Do locate the leak quickly before it becomes more than a nuisance.
The "octy" was removed from my bike quite a while back after the vacuum diaphram failed and the device went from a safety device to an absolutely unsafe device in an exhileratingly short period of time! This did several things all at once, it gave the "Fire Dragon" her name, created a brand new riding style, and raised my adrenalin levels to an unsafe area.
While removing the octy I discovered that the fuel lines were becoming fragile and I replaced them all, I have replaced them again a year ago with a different type after I smelled gas around the bike after it had sat for a couple of days.
The point is that after I removed the octy I always turned the petcocks off when I stopped the bike but did not always remember to turn them back on at startup which can cause several types of interesting and embarrasing incidents. (she will go almost precisely three miles on the the gas in the carbs before she lets out a few loud backfires and dies abruptly, ALWAYS in front of the maximum amount of witnesses) Now the only time I turn them off is when I park her for the winter. Other than when the fuel lines got bad she has never leaked any gas from anywhere. Because of the latest irritating monsoon season here, she has been in a small closed up shed for over a week until the sun came back yesterday. When I opened the shed door there was not even a small smell of gas.
I am aware that this is not maybe the best way to run but I have had many other bikes without vacuum shut offs and have never had any problems with them as long as they were maintained properly.

[LCS249]

Hey Dragon Tamer,

Your answer confirms my suspicions, and the reason I posted the original question.

It didn't seem right to "have to" turn the pet cocks off on such a well-built bike.

I didn't remember it from the past, and the Triumph I have is also an old-tech bike, carbs, chain drive, etc., and you never have to turn the pet cocks off on those.

As for the embarrassing incidents in front of the maximum number of witnesses, seems to be the way things run for me, as well...

Best, Leon

[mro]

originally posted by LCS249
only time fuel leaks is when the bike is OFF and the petcocks are left "ON."

Personally like the OEM fuel systems. Not knockng the guys who remove it, just my prefference.

Your leak(s), sticking float needle and vac diaphram not working.
Could just be worn, but most likely debris from fuel tank, fuel hose detereating and or gas just sitting too long. Same affects the carbs.

Had one XS leak gas after had gone thru it. Went thru it agin and re-cleaned the tank. Ran great for couple months locally. Did a little 300 mile day trip, parked in the garage and next morning had leaked agin. Turned out to be flakes of rubber from the fuel lines I did not replace. I think the old fuel lines could not handle the heat from the longer ride. Was glad it waited untill I got home to be a problem, would have been a real hassel had it happened out on the ride.

Removing the carbs, clean/adjust, fixing the diaphram, cleanlng the tank and reinstalling it all even by a experienced MC tech could take 8+ hours. Even a small shop might charge $500.00 plus about another $100 or so in parts.
Done your self w/o being experienced could take twice as long, maybe not get it right the first time and have to do something over with a cost of just the parts BUT should you have a problem later would have a good idea where to start looking to correct it.

Good luck

mro

[LCS249]

Thanks mro,

That sounds like what was happening.

The fuel tank was replaced over the past year and the "new" one looks pretty good inside.

But I'm sure the fuel lines and more were likely dried out. My older son is the same age as the bike - 25. Rubber can't possibly still be stable after that long.

Several cables were replaced with mesh -- very nice. And other work was done.

Looks like the pet cocks and tank may have to come off to see what's what.

best, Leon