octopus/pros and cons and a tank ?

[ChaseyMay]

ok i have a 80 xs 1100 lg, due to a fire, my tank and fuel lines was ruined, i have a 79 xs 750 special tank complete..now will i have to do alittle bit of configuring to make this work? or is the petcock basically the same? , now the octopus, what are the pros and cons of removel or keeping it, i found a diagram on here on how the lines run, but a ? i have is the line that goes from 1-2 and 3-4 have to be T off? and how do i know that my octopus will even work after sitting for 3 years..or will i even need it does anyone know if my 750 tanks have the vaccume built in the petcock?

thanks for any help
Jeremy

[jetmechmarty]

FWIW, I've been riding a XS650 Special with a vacuum petcock for many years. It has no "OFF" position. I grew accustomed to shutting off the bike and walking away. It has never been a problem.

My XS1100 had a leaking "octopus" valve. It was tough to remember to shut off the cocks. I elected to replace the "octopus" valve. Now, shutting the cocks off is a non issue for me.

If you are trained to always shut the fuel off, removing the "octopus" should not be an issue for you.

I don't believe a XS750 tank will fit on a XS Eleven. I haven't tried it, but I expect you'll find the tunnel too narrow. I say this because a XS750 standard tank is a common modification to the XS650. The XS650 has a narrow tunnel. I can say without reservation that the XS11 tank can not be easily modified to fit the XS650.

[Kevin W]

Your 750 tank does have vacuum petcocks. The triples forum regularly debates the issue of changing over to manual petcocks. I put a couple of inline shut offs on my 850 for added insurance when I remember to actually close them after riding. I would imagine you could do something similar to the 1100.
KW

[John]

The 750-850 tank will not fit an xs11. I have tried. I have one on my shelf as we speak. They only look the same...

[fredintoon]

Hi ChaseyMay,
as has been posted, the XS750 tank won't work for you. You are stuck with using the tank & gas taps you already have. My own XS11SG was already de-octoed when I got it and I'm happy with it. You have seen the octopus fuel line hookup and may agree with me that with all those hoses there has to be a better way? Mine runs with the "prime" spigots capped, 2 feed tubes, 2 in-line filters and a joiner tube so either fuel tap can run all 4 cylinders. You just hafta remember to turn the fuel off when you park.

[TADracer]

Got rid of my puss a long time ago but you must become conditioned to turning off your petcocks. I ran with the prime spout soldered up when I had my stock petcocks on but I now run cheap aftermarket petcocks (I like em alot better)

My route is simple. Individual drop from each petcock through 40 micron inline filters then straight into each fuel inlet. I have a cross-over line between the two inlets to prime with either petcock and to help keep the tank balanced when fuel level is very low.

To head off the probable comments on the inline filters, they have absolutely no effect on the fuel flow (I tested e'm) and they do filter very well. I never find any small particles inside of the fuel bowls.

Oh yeah, my octopus is hanging up on the wall as a reminder of how not to plumb a fuel system.

[D. P. Larmee]

Here's another possible solution that has been discussed at the triple website.

Solenoid Valve

[mro]

cephalopods

my octopus is hanging up on the wall as a reminder of how not to plumb a fuel system.

on the other tentacle...
I just happen to have a few Specials (surprise )
and they all have the "dreaded octopi" which work just fine.

Two things about having the OEM system:
First is if you want to keep the bike OEM.
Second is conditions inside the fuel tank. If clean and no rust the octopus will work just fine. My tanks happen to be very nice inside and out and need not in-line fuel filters.

My standard fuel tanks be some what less pristine and would have needed to be lined, so I installed in-line filters with good results. Would not be so easy to do to OEM special fuel system.


mro

[ChaseyMay]

sorry for the late reply, thanks for all the help guys, and your right a 750 specail tank will not work, ( dang it) i could make it work with makin specail brackets, and opening the tunnel up, but not sure, i still have the original tank, which is swelled up pretty bad underneath, might be able to straighten it out , dont know yet, and il just have to keep an eye out for a tank
thanks guys
Jeremy