octy question

[John]

Here's the Poop on the Petcocks

Looking at the two brass nipples that extrude from the petcock...the forward one is for the prime function, the rear one is for run and reserve. Looking at the front...the word 'fuel' that is embossed into the petcock handle should cover the desired function that stamped on the outter chrome ring on on the petcock. In other words, the handle will point down for run, up fro reserve, to the rear for prime, and forward is off.
Now if you are not using the octopus, then you can just cap off the forward nipple of the petcock. You don't need it. Fuel will flow in the run and reserve positions.
Axle, The petcocks on a Special are not vacuum controlled. You are correct with your answers.

[Ken Talbot]

Re: Just in case

Originally posted by Axel
This is starting to make more sense to me . By George I think its working correctly!!!

You've got it now, Axel. When octopi go bad, it is usually a combination of 'spooge hole' being plugged, the o-ring being perished, and the spring going weak. As long as the diaphragm itself is not torn, all of this can be fixed, just like repairing the diaphragm apparatus of a standard petcock.

I see the octopus on a Special, or the vacuum petcocks on a Standard, as being some of those modern conveniences that are really nice to have, even if they do take a bit of maintenance once in a while. Maybe I'm just lazy, bit I really like the idea of getting off the bike and never having to worry about forgetting to shut off a manual petcock.