petcock fixed itself?/

[redbone]

jsut bear with me on this and give your expert opinion when you finish reading this:
earlier this season when wrenchin on my 1980 mns i KNOW the gas would not stop flowin while in the off position.
ANYWay i order a rebuild kit [which i ahven't used yet] and here is what i find now:
position:
off....no flow (good)
on....fuel from the left outtlet
prime..fuel from the rite outlet
res....fuel from the left oulet
this is while standing at rite side of bike.
[the other side is exactly opposite regarding oulet flow]
it never flows out of both oulets at the same time
is this how it is supposed to work???

any info appreciated.
tx redbone

[CatatonicBug]

Yes, this is exactly how it is supposed to work. That is because the "left" port flows to the octy, and the "right" port flows to the carbs, bypassing the octy. The purpose of the "prime" position is to allow fuel to flow to the carbs before the engine is turned over and vacuum is applied to the octy, allowing fuel to flow through it. This is used in only a few particular circumstances.

Have you taken the petcocks apart and looked at the rubber inside? Since you have the rubber anyway, I would definitely take the time to replace it. For all you know, it's cracked, and just happens to be in a happy place for the moment, only to open up again later.

[redbone]

thanx for that cata. i suspected it was rite, but just thought i'd ask you guys.
i am a firm believer in 'if it ain't broke don't fix'....but maybe just this once.
thanx again
redbone