Do you use the octy or not?

[XSokieSPECIAL]

OK, y'all convinced me mine is outa there. Seems like I'm running out of gas at top end sometimes anyway.

[Geezer]

When I eliminated the octopus from my 80 Mongrel, I ran a tube across one prime outlet on one tap to the other. This way if I accidentally turned the tap the wrong way the worst I did was level the gas from one side of the tank to the other.

I also used 2 T fittings in the lines to make a H pattern to the fuel lines so I only needed to turn on one tap if I was ridding around town. This way I had a lot more notice that I was running low on gas.

Geezer

[Clerek]

When I eliminated the octopus from my 80 Mongrel, I ran a tube across one prime outlet on one tap to the other. This way if I accidentally turned the tap the wrong way the worst I did was level the gas from one side of the tank to the other.

I also used 2 T fittings in the lines to make a H pattern to the fuel lines so I only needed to turn on one tap if I was ridding around town. This way I had a lot more notice that I was running low on gas.

Geezer

I never thought of it like that but it makes sense. You COULD technically ride around with only one petcock on. Would it matter at higher RPM's?

-Rick

[yamahansolo]

funny my 79 standard had an octy on it...??? notice i said had

[Crazcnuk]

I leave it on. It's no more prone to failing than the dual petcocks on the std.

If your carbs aren't also screwed, the octy is not going bother anything, even if it does fail.

I also don't see the point of spending money to try and engineer around it. it works fine.

[trbig]

I also don't see the point of spending money to try and engineer around it. it works fine.

What money? Two long fuel lines with 4 hose clamps, versus a bunch of short ones with a whole buncha clamps? Engineering is what got the contraption..


Tod

[Geezer]

I never thought of it like that but it makes sense. You COULD technically ride around with only one petcock on. Would it matter at higher RPM's?
-Rick

I could climb hills on the freeway at full throttle with only one petcock on with no signs of fuel starvation. I almost always only turned on one until I had signs of running low then on would go the other one and I'd start thinking about looking for a gas station.

Geezer

[trbig]

If you ever get a chance to synch your carbs and use clear fuel line, you'll realize how little fuel these take. You can rev the bike like crazy and it just slowly crawls down the line. Many times I forget to turn on my petcocks in the morning. I can start the bike, let it warm up a bit as I put on my helmet and gloves, and ride nearly a mile down the road to the next intersection before it starts sputtering.. and that's just from the fuel in the bowls of the carbs. One line will MORE than adequately feed the motor for ANY riding style. Think about it. At 30 mpg, and 128 oz per gallon. That's just over 4 ounces.... 4 little shot glasses of fuel per mile... one little shot glass per cylinder to go a mile.


Tod

[Ivan]

miles....

gallons....

shot glasses......


Sounds like the typical get together with our group here in the mid west....

[Crazcnuk]

"What money? Two long fuel lines with 4 hose clamps, versus a bunch of short ones with a whole buncha clamps? Engineering is what got the contraption.."

Yes, you just replaced the hoses, for no reason (since you already have them), and your forgetting that you should change petcocks, if your taking out the octy, as the octy is your safety fuel shut off valve.

It's as cheap or cheaper to buy the rebuild kit for the two petcocks AND the octy than it is to by one rebuild kit for a std.

[Clerek]

"What money? Two long fuel lines with 4 hose clamps, versus a bunch of short ones with a whole buncha clamps? Engineering is what got the contraption.."

Yes, you just replaced the hoses, for no reason (since you already have them), and your forgetting that you should change petcocks, if your taking out the octy, as the octy is your safety fuel shut off valve.

It's as cheap or cheaper to buy the rebuild kit for the two petcocks AND the octy than it is to by one rebuild kit for a std.

Good point...It's almost like you get a free diaphram with special rebuild kit!

-Rick

[trbig]

and your forgetting that you should change petcocks, if your taking out the octy,

I'm not forgetting, it just isn't needed, and don't know anyone who does it. YOU would be the one spending money you didn't need to. As TC stated, with the Viton float tips, sometimes I shut the gas off, sometimes I don't. But if you shut yours off pretty religiously, there's no need to worry about your float valves or replacing your petcocks. You'd still have to have leaking float valves AND leaking petcocks to have a problem. Many don't feel the need for a 3rd backup. If you simply get a plastic shut off, you could easily install those inline and get yourself a simple FOURTH insurance policy while you're there??

you just replaced the hoses, for no reason

Except for the fact that the lines are probably 30 years old anyway and should be replaced with or without the octo. Replacing all that crap with a foot or 18" of hose on each side is going to get you off with less fuel line and less money than replacing the lines periodically that are there with the octo, with a lot less worry about the many connections getting air/fuel leaks. You can use 4 of the many clamps already there.

You seem intent on keeping it, which is fine, but your arguments really aren't valid.


Tod

[Ivan]

If you simply get a plastic shut off, you could easily install those inline and get yourself a simple FOURTH insurance policy while you're there??


Tod

Ima gonna do that. Probably better on the hoses than the needle noze vice grips I been usin'. Then I am gonna just take the whole tank loose and set er off to the side too.

Seriously though, I just fixed my octy and it works pretty good. I also fixed my petcocks and they work pretty good. I am lazy and don't shut off the valves, since I have viton tips as well. Although, as Tod has found the floats jam every time I lean the bike over, like when somebody gets off it and forgets to put the side stand down.

[Pat Kelly]

I removed the (working) octy on my LG the 1st time I had to remove the fuel tank.
I eventually would like to go with Pingle petcocks on both my XS's's

[Clerek]

I have not have any of the above insurance policies on my bike. Just a small gas tank and two filters. No petcocks see: