Removing / Bypassing Octopus 79 Special

[Shuriken]

I got an old junker special with 22k on the motor. Fair compression. Tried to start it today after the oil and filter change and it wants to start but won't yet. I'll have to go through the carbs anyway because the bowls are overflowing.

Of course this 79 special has the ugly sphaghetti mess of old cracked hoses running everywhere. What's the best procedure for bypassing the octopus?

Anybody know where I could find petcock rebuild kits for this model?

Ben

[Bill__Woods]

K&L supply makes a fine petcock rebuild kit for this model, and it includes the parts to rebuild the Vacuum Diaphragm in the Octopus. There is no need to replace or remove the octopus, it woks fine as designed. The K&L kit rebuild both Petcocks and the Vacuum Assembly for $35.00. You can get them at your local bike shop or dennis kirk.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Ben,

Well, that's one opinion! With the leaking carbs, sounds more like your float valves aren't sealing or floats aren't floating, sticking, etc.! Get a couple of "Y" shaped(NOT "T") 1/4" hose connectors at your local auto store, some extra hose, and run a few inches from both spouts of the petcocks into the dual ends of the "Y", then run the single spout across the carbs to the other side, same for the other petcock, crossing the hoses to prevent kinking them and allowing you room to run them around the intakes! This way you still have RESERVE function! Got rid of mine 3 years ago. Just have to remember to turn off the petcocks when you stop to "prevent" the accidental leaking of carbs "IF" your float valves fail!
T.C.

[Chris Polariski]

It was mentioned (by Bill) that the kit rebuilds both petcocks. My bike has a tank off a Honda and Im sure that it ther is only one line coming out of the tank. Could this be why at high speeds the bike seems to suffer a fuel shortage.

[crunchbird]

No. If you only get 20 mpg and you ride 80 mph, you use a gallon in 15 minutes. About a cup a minute. Mine spills faster than that, for sure!

[tommystinson]

Get rid of the octopus, no question. MikesXS has brand new petcocks designed to replace the vacuum operated ones. They are $40 each vs. $20 each for the rebuild kit. I'll get you a part #, because all his stuff is for XS650's. I'll be getting a pair as soon as finances allow. Perhaps I should have passed on the new house and gotten a mortgage on the motorcycle...

[beechfront]

no octopus?

i bought a new one. after i did i found a rebuild kit for it that was only something like $30.

i don't like having to shut the fuel off every time i park. that and i can't remember every time

[Underdog]

I just ordered the kit form this place http://www.siriusconinc.com/links.asp
22.50 + 2.50S/H
K&L kit does both petcocks and has the diaphragm for the octopus. I posted this place on the links forum also. Never delt with them before but if there are any problems I'll be sure to post.
Personal call on weather to bypass or not. I'm looking to keep it as stock as possible plus my hoses are all in good shape.

[tommystinson]

Didn't realize you could get a 2 petcock kit for under $30. I might be tempted to keep the original petcocks, but I'd still ditch the octopus myself.

[Shuriken]

I already ordered the rebuild kits. Ya' don't get much for $30 bucks when considering it's just little rubber parts but.....

I don't have a problem with a functioning octopus but the problem I do have with it is that it takes up so much space under the tank it's hard to fiddle with the carbs or anything else. It's just too cramped.

As soon as I figure out how it works I will probably get rid of it.

Ben

[Bill__Woods]

I went for the rebuild option myself because I never have to shut off my fuel. The thing is Ben, once you get your carbs dialed in & synched - you won't need "fiddlin room under there". I think the octopus is a overly debated thing considedering how inexpensive it is to rebuild every 20 Years or so. I personally have more of a problem with the rubber valve disc design in the petcocks. Glad you got your rebuild kit Ben. If you ever use K&L carb kits Do Not use thier Pilot Jet, the rest of the kit is fine though.

Hey Chris, I would install an aftermarket Pingle Brand Fuel Petcock in your honda tank to be certain you are flowing enough out of 1 petcock. You can get these at most bike parts suppliers like Dennis Kirk, MAW,etc.

[Shuriken]

My fingers are raw. I replaced every hose on the octopus and will attempt to find some room for inline fuel filters as well.

I just finished cleaning out the carbs. They were the worst of 3 sets I've done. I don't expect them to operate flawlessly - stock jetting and needles and I did not soak them. I don't know if I feel like tearing them completely apart.

If worse comes to worse, I'll just use a different set of carbs and/or tank setup and ditch the octopus.

I also made my own bowl gaskets. Got some rubber/fiber gasket material from Autozone for $6.95. Beats the heck out of OEM $11 or other prices - if it works.

As soon as the petcock kits arrive I should have some rubber under the rims and maybe can then see how the bike runs.

Ben

[Shuriken]

Okay, I got the rebuild kits. The petcocks work really well. Makes me want to have kits for all of my old bikes.

However - the octopus idea just sucks - IMHO.

My carbs flooded when I let the fuel flow. I'll have to take them off and double check everything. Not sure why the needle valves are not sealing. Clean tank/petcocks/fuel system....

Anyhow, it will be a mess to use the octopus. I can't stand it. There is already too little room under the seat.

My understanding (correct me) is that for this model, the petcocks are one valve, the octopus is a second, and the carbs are the third (valves in the circuit). If I am right I cannot understand why a bike needs 3 fuel valves. If I am wrong perhaps someone can clarify.

SO....

I will plumb the individual petcock outputs to "Y" fittings - each "Y" fitting turns into one pipe feeding the left side and one pipe feeding the right side. 2 valves remain in the fuel flow circuit. Right or wrong?

3/16 fuel hose is too small. I bought enough of it. I suppose I'll go a step larger and use clamps.

Ben

[pgg]

The japanese designers must 've been sitting around with nothing to do when they dreamt up that spaggetti system. Should have stuck to the K.I.S.S system.

[Bob Falter]

I took out my octopus and ran the left valve to the right two carbs, the right valve to the left carbs leaving plenty of hose so that I can lift the tank up without unhooking the gas lines. I have hear that some people had trouble doing this but it has worked well for me. I plugged off the prime lines coming from the shutoff valves. Also I put a tee is each of the lines coming from the valves and ran a line between the two. Now I only have to use one shutoff valve and I have a split reserve. (Yes, one valve give you plenty of fuel.) I normally use the left valve and when I run out of gas I turn it to reserve. When I run out the second time I turn the right valve to reserve. This doesn’t give you more gas in reserve just a better idea of how fast your using it. When I turn the second valve to reserve I quit looking for a gas station and just look for anyone that might have some gas. Fortunately it has only happened once. Got a couple of gallons of gas from a guy in a little town that had no gas station but I didn’t have to walk.