Petcock Filter Towers, Carbs...

[crazy steve]

Ok, I've started working the fuel system bits for the SG, and I'm rebuilding the petcocks. One issue; the filter towers are supposed to be a press-fit into the bases, but are loose. I know they won't stay in as-is, so I'm thinking about getting some 'gas tank repair epoxy' and gluing them in. Never used the stuff, so does anybody have any input? Good idea? Bad? I don't want to replace them as they're in good shape otherwise, plus cheap is good...

And after some thought, I've decided not to install the octy on this bike. Too much monkey-motion, what with all the hoses and Ts. I've found yet another method of 'converting' the petcocks for full manual, and if it works the way I think it will, will also be fully reversable. I'll post a how-to after I get all the parts.

One last thing... the carbs were missing the springs/detent balls for the choke rod, but I think I've found replacements for those too. I've ordered the parts, the balls were no problem but I'm not sure about the springs. Again, I'll post results...

[oldyam80sg]

Back in the late 80's i decided to put Creem in my tank to prevent rust.I took off the petcocks and the towers had already floating in the gas.Since i worked at several gas stations i would never worry about mileage just put gas in and go-back then i could-gas was like $1.25 a gallon and that was for premium.I also changed to Pingel petcocks so that eliminated the problem with the towers.

[SFerinTEXAS]

Just some thoughts. Instead of epoxy those towers permanently, You possibly could just apply a little around the towers to build up the press fit are then sand down to fit tight. Dunno, couldn't hurt to try.

On my SF I just did away with the prime part of the hose setup. Eliminates the tees and keeps the safety function. In the rare event priming is needed just put a longer hose on the octy nipple and suck a vac on it for a few seconds.Which I have never had to do since I set it up that way a few years ago. I figure if the octy fails(leaks) when I'm away from home there is enough hose in the setup to make a direct tank to carb connection.

BTW I don't use any clamps on the fuel lines.I use fat quality gates hose and everything fits tight and is easily removable.Visu-line cone filters.

Along time ago someone posted how to make these petcocks manual buy filling in one of the grooves in the tap handle with some type of filler, maybe JB.

[natemoen]

Along time ago someone posted how to make these petcocks manual buy filling in one of the grooves in the tap handle with some type of filler, maybe JB.

It was standard petcocks that you are thinking of, and one of the grooves in the handle portion was filled in with solder.

[foreda]

Detent Springs

Steve..you might be able to use the springs from a ball point pen??

[ccogswel]

Those petcock filters are suppose to be able to come out. They are usually hard to pull out and push back in. I wouldn't glue them in just in case you ever had to clean them out on the inside. If your having trouble keeping them to stay in then you may try to build them up on the sides to help make a tighter fit.

As for the petcocks for standards that was one way that was listed about soldering. There was another fellow on here if I remember correctly who said you could just swap out the turn parts of each petcock. Left to Right and Right to Left. But keeping the housing on the same side. But I might be wrong. I read that a few years ago and my memory isn't that great.

And as for the balls for the choke rod. There was a fellow on here that said what size they were and said something about getting them from Ace Hardware. Shouldn't be hard to find them tho. And a spring from a pin might just work. You'd have to cut it down but should work. Good idea!

Good Luck!

[crazy steve]

Steve..you might be able to use the springs from a ball point pen??

I tried that on the last set (then managed to find the missing springs), but they don't work all that well; the stock springs are pretty stiff. If you cut them to the OEM length, they don't have much tension and the springs inside the enricheners will pull the choke off. If you cut them less, they're a PITA to get together (just try to keep the ball on the end of the spring while pushing it into the hole..). The springs I ordered are the right length, I'm just not sure about the spring rate. I ordered the stiffest ones they had, which I suspect still won't be as stiff as OEM, but may be close enough. I'll know after the stuff gets here...

[Aches n Pains]

Steve,

Where did you find the detent balls for the choke? I'm working on an old set of carbs and they are missing here to - wonder where they go?

Thanks,

Doug

[crazy steve]

Where did you find the detent balls for the choke? I'm working on an old set of carbs and they are missing here to - wonder where they go?

Where they go is in the two outside carbs. If you look at the cast-in guides for the choke actuator rod, you'll see the two outside ones are drilled. If you aren't paying attention or don't know they're there when you pull the rod, they'll disappear in a heartbeat. You drop the spring in first, then the ball.

Where I got them is these guys: http://www.smallparts.com/?ie=UTF8&p...&pf_rd_s=top-1. A bit pricey at $24 for 25 balls and 5 springs (minimum quantities, including shipping), if they work out and there's enough interest, I could order more and sell 'sets' for about $7 including postage. The balls are easy to find, it's the springs that are tough...

[Rasputin]

If they is not the right springs give me a holler. I have a set of springs here that I obtained from Crazcnuk that I have no plans for yet. Look to be the correct ones for your app.

[crazy steve]

No go on the springs...

Well, the springs I bought are useless. They were the stiffest ones offered, but won't hold the choke on the detent; the internal carb springs overpower them. The little suckers weren't cheap either...

I may have found some others, if those work out I'll post the results.

[81xsproject]

Steve, I just thought I would mention something I posted about years ago as far as modding petcocks goes. If you reverse the levers of the L and R petcocks (Specials), you get a manual operation that yeilds an ON to both nipples, and an OFF at a different position. I can't remember the exact details and I appearently deleted the little diagram I had made in Paint that contained the details of the new functions. I thought it was pretty cool at the time, but I didn't get much feedback.

I have used the gas tank epoxy and it has yet to fail. However, it doesn't get quite the exposure to fuel as it would in a tank.