Leaky Petcocks Caused Trouble

[firecrackerboom]

The petcocks have leaked since I bought the bike. I just shut them off when I am done riding, and it causes no problems. Well I traveled out of town this weekend, and when I got back I realized the petcocks were open. Now there is a bunch of gas in the oil I believe. :S Would an oil change will clear everything up?

[manshack_one]

You should look into why the gas ended up in the oil first. Most likely due to stuck floats or valves not shutting allowing the gas to make it's way into the oil. It's happened to me before because
I had the floats set way too high and let them empty completely, then the float was stuck because the needle got wedged. I've always put a new filter on whenever I drain it because of that. I'm thinking though that if you drained everything, pulled the oil filter and drained that cup too, that you'd probably be ok considering the minute amount of gas on the filter. maybe even blow the filter out (messy idea I'm sure considering it's covered in oil/gas) but it saves buying a new one.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the mods give me a thumbs up on my answer. Hopefully I've learned something in the past year since I started mechanic'ing on bikes for the first time.


All things considered, you shouldn't have leaks even if you leave the petcocks on. the float needles (fingers crossed that's the right part) should seal and cut off the fuel even if you are running on prime, have an octopus, etc.

[psycoreefer]

I'll second Manshack's answer. You should take a look at your float valves, they should stop the flow of gas even if you petcock leaks.

As for changing the oil If you haven't run the bike the gas should only be in the pan and changing the oil should get all the gas out. If you've started the bike, or cranked it over with the starter then I'd pull the filter and dump that too. Once its been changed you should be good to go.

[firecrackerboom]

Since I am in the process of moving from one town to another, my Clymer manual is 50 miles away. Does anybody have directions on how to change the oil on this thing?

[bikerphil]

oil change

Here's the link to the service manual, scroll down to pg. 26.

http://web.ebscohost.com/serrc/pdf?vid=6&hid=112&sid=ee8f1efc-064a-4ed5-a809-cd6183641cb3%40sessionmgr108

[firecrackerboom]

Here's an even more stupid question. How do you get the bike onto the center stand? I tried and tried, but it seems I am just not heavy enough / strong enough to force it back onto the centerstand.

[John]

Read this

It may help.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1170&highlight=putting+bike+on+centerstand

[AlanB]

Hi FCB,

It just needs practice and a spot of technique..... My Ex could put the eleven on the main stand; She is a skinny 4'10.....

AlanB

[mbowld44]

mainstand

Hi Alan

Wish I had known the technique, when my bike was a solo I never managed to raise it onto the mainstand .I enlisted the help of several of my friends but none of them succeeded on
their own.

Martin

[egsols]

Like Alan said, it's all in the technique, I grab the left grip with my left hand, place my right hand on the seat rail and step on the centre stand with my right foot. I start to transfer all my weight to the centre stand, slighty leaning to the rear of the bike, while pulling up my right hand. The bike starts to rise and when I near the top I lean slightly back so as not to bang the bike too hard on the stand stop.

My Ex could put the eleven on the main stand; She is a skinny 4'10

Hey Alan, if I continually made my wife put my bike on it's centre stand we probably be X's too.

[boyat68]

Hey Guys and (Gals)

No matter what is said it still is a chore to put the bike on the maintenance stand. Even though I have more bulk now than a few years ago (when ir seemed easier) It still takes a grunt from these old bones to do the deed.

[egsols]

Bike is roughly 1/4 ton, I'm roughly 1/8th of a ton, centre stand in middle, all seems to balance.

[John]

Guys, you must be doing something wrong...I can get mine up (on the center stand) in less than two seconds...honest!

[boyat68]

John:

How do you get to Carnegie Hall.

I don't practice very often A grunt and a prayer usually gets it up using your method.

[wa407mpp]

With a full or near full tank of gas a bad petcock can easily over power a float valve. It doesn't have to be a hot day, the vibration of the engine running or movement of the bike can cause the gas to expand and build pressure in the tank, which can't be vented fast enough by the cap vent, to prevent it from overpowering a weak petcock spring, or worn petcock seal.