Issue with my 80 XS11 Special

[TeamRiceRacing]

Neither of my petcocks will stop the flow of fuel even when in the "off" positions first off. Now if I have the tank on the bike it just pours fuel out of the air box. Is it possible because of the petcocks and possibly the engine mounted spider that it's just dumping so much fuel the bowls and just being over filled? I would think a needle/float would stop it but if the valves are just consistantly putting pressure on them wouldn't it do the same thing?

Let me know your thoughts. Missing my bike.

[natemoen]

Well it looks like you have 3 problems. Your petcocks leak, gotta get them fixed. Your Octy has failed, gotta get it fixed. Finally, your float needle valves are not sealing, gotta get those fixed too.

[WMarshy]

Three strikes and you could be out.... check your motor oil for gas! It will and can drain in through your intake valves and by your rings flooding your oil sump. Look for over full oil level...

[TeamRiceRacing]

Well it looks like you have 3 problems. Your petcocks leak, gotta get them fixed. Your Octy has failed, gotta get it fixed. Finally, your float needle valves are not sealing, gotta get those fixed too.

No biggie...no biggie.....dang it! LOL

It ran fine up until my boy and I were riding to work last week, shut if off at work. Looked out later that afternoon and gas was just pouring out the air cleaner. Ripped tank off and it hasn't been fully together other than to see where exactly it was leaking. I've had issues before with lines popping off.

[DGXSER]

Depending on when the last time was the float valves were replaced, those could simply need a good cleaning, maybe even some Seafoam ran through and a good high RPM run down the street. I know on an occasion or two befire I put in line filters on, when I ran down to reserve on the bike I suddenly developed a leaking float. Ran it good and hard, added Seafoam. Stopped leaking. If you do not know or it was a long time since last carb cleaning and replacement of the needle valves and seats, well, it is time then, just to know if for no other reason.

As to the Octy and the petcocks, you can order a rebuild kit from Georgefix on ebay, his kit includes all the gaskets and parts to rebuild both petcocks and the octy, including the petcock to tank o-ring gaskets.

I did a little pictorial on the process HERE some time ago.

[cywelchjr]

Also being that it's an 80, it's got the press in needle valve seats. If the o-ring for the seats hasn't been replaced, it may need to be. It can let gas leak right around the needle valve seat, bypassing a perfectly good needle valve and seat making you think you have a needle valve problem when all you have is a bad o-ring. One way to tell is those seats should press in and out pretty firmly, if they go in and out easily, the o-ring is worn or too small.

[Shacknasty]

While you have it apart, check for sediment in the carb bowls. If there is some present a tank cleaning may be in order. Rustoleum makes a product called Evaporust that will make it easy. Buy a 1 gal can for a double sawbuck and pour it in your drained and rinsed tank. Use blocks to hold the tank in different positions to reach all areas. You will need to leave for a couple hours in each position.

If it's not real rusty you can save the liquid and use it on another tank. Be sure to get the thin type, not the thick brush-on type of Evaporust.

Don't mess with any of the sealers, just keep yer tank fulla gas and ride a lot!