New Petcocks? (& thanks)

[CMA1]

First, thankyou for the replies to my previous question re: the side cover key. I was able to free up the lock mechanism and the repair is almost complete to the side cover! Thanks.
Now, are there any petcocks available that will fit the SF tank... new, meaning, up to date with only "Off, On, Reserve" positions? I read with interest Mike Harts conversion (elimination of the darn Octopus) and am considering a similar move myself. I would like to use 2 petcocks like OEM but NOT OEM if you get my drift
and remove the vacuum monster! I have had this bike about a month and have leaked more fuel than I have burned and changed the oil twice. Carbs will be rebuilt again ( like most of you have done... X x 10 times) and I probably won't get to ride again until next season. But the 'SF' will stand for something other than what's going thru' my mind right now!
Thanks all, this is a great board!
Larry

[beechfront]

there are petcock rebuild kits available - for my 79 SF i found a kit that would do both petcocks and the octopus.

So are you planning on shutting off your fuel each time you shut the bike off? If you are leaking gas you have two problems. 1: your carbs, and 2: your octopus.

Before I decided to replace the octopus, I tried the 'shutting off each petcock' thing. didn't work. I would forget to turn them off, or several times i'd forget to turn them on and get a few blocks down the road and wonder "what the hell is wrong with my bike"?

If your petcocks are working properly (when turned to OFF they are indeed OFF) then there is no need for you to replace them. You'll just have to shut them off each time you shut off your bike.


My advice - fix or replace your octopus.

[newmaac]

If you use the search feature, (top right tab), you can find old posts where others have changed petcocks.
I had similar issues when I first bought my Special too.
I reworked the original equipment, and am happy that I did.
The Octipus serves an important function. When everything is working, it makes it so that when the bike is not running, no fuel can be running, thus eliminating exactly what you are currently struggling with.

It you DO go to an aftermarket petcock, without the Octipus, you run the risk of forgetting to shut off the fuel when you stop, and filling the crank case again.

All that being said, it sounds like you have issues with with the needle and seat on your floats.

Good luck, have fun.

[dlbryant1]

http://www.motorcyclecarbs.com/manua...cation%20Chart

[CMA1]

Thankyou Dlbryant, Thats exactly what I am looking for!
I bookmaked that page and I will have top contact them to see if the STD 79 and SF 79 petcocks are interchangable.
Thanks much, Larry

[beechfront]

my 2 cents.

two new petcocks = $150.



new octopus = $65.
petcock rebuild kit (does both petcocks) = $30.


not trying to sound like an ass, but you'll be much better off mechanically and financially if you buy a new octopus and if needed, rebuild the petcocks.

[Mike Hart]

Originally posted by CMA1
Thankyou Dlbryant, Thats exactly what I am looking for!
I bookmaked that page and I will have top contact them to see if the STD 79 and SF 79 petcocks are interchangable.
Thanks much, Larry

The stock ones are different - the Standards have no octopus, the vacuum is in the petcocks.

[CMA1]

Thanks all!
I will figure something out eventually, as in which way to go.