Carburetor concoction...

[TopCatGr58]

REMOVE IT. You can put the extra manual turn off valve in line later....
you just need to be sure that your petcocks actually turn off the fuel when in the OFF position...you need to remember to turn them to OFF when you stop/park for hours. Also, you need to be sure that your carb float valves work and do not leak, carbs do not flood when the petcocks are in the ON position with bike not running.

The inline shut off is just an extra security blanket against both the carbs float valves failing/leaking....AND the petcocks OFF position leaking.

T.C.
going to sleep!

[JRealHEMC]

REMOVE IT. You can put the extra manual turn off valve in line later....
you just need to be sure that your petcocks actually turn off the fuel when in the OFF position...you need to remember to turn them to OFF when you stop/park for hours. Also, you need to be sure that your carb float valves work and do not leak, carbs do not flood when the petcocks are in the ON position with bike not running.

The inline shut off is just an extra security blanket against both the carbs float valves failing/leaking....AND the petcocks OFF position leaking.

T.C.
going to sleep!

T.C. you woke? Lol
My petcock stopped in the off position for the most part, but dripped a little on the side the bike was leaning towards on the kickstand... I just took a piece of fuel line and ran from the on to the prime side to stop it while I had everything disconnected.

Questions:
1. Is there a gasket or something inside the petcock that would make it leak, or is a small leak normal as long as it doesn't run out full force?
2. Will a carb cleaning (which I'm doing anyway) help with any possible float valve leak, like maybe getting stuck or something, or is that a deeper problem than just cleaning?

[kboehringer]

3H3-24523-00-00 VALVE - $ 9.60ea

Questions:
1. Is there a gasket or something inside the petcock that would make it leak, or is a small leak normal as long as it doesn't run out full force?

YES. There is a rubber piece. Part#22 in the drawing in this link to Partzilla.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/searc...ING/parts.html
They are a little pricey but you need two(2) and should not skimp on these. GET EM!

2. Will a carb cleaning (which I'm doing anyway) help with any possible float valve leak, like maybe getting stuck or something, or is that a deeper problem than just cleaning?[/QUOTE]

YES & NO. The cleaning is MANDATORY. But, setting the floats properly is also a KEY factor in problem free operation. Check the CARBS section... there is a setting procedure there in great detail.

KURT

[JRealHEMC]

YES & NO. The cleaning is MANDATORY. But, setting the floats properly is also a KEY factor in problem free operation. Check the CARBS section... there is a setting procedure there in great detail.

KURT

Ok, thanks... I'll search for that now.

[newc4]

I've been fortunate with the octy's. The one on my 79F worked fine though it was a chore to hook it up to the petcocks.

I've an 81H I just removed the carbs from and found the octy was wired? piped? incorrectly. I intend to use it. The right petcock leaks so that'll need a rebuild.

I like to maintain the original configuration as much as possible. With that said, the octys can be a PITA.

[motoman]

I've been fortunate with the octy's. The one on my 79F worked fine though it was a chore to hook it up to the petcocks.

I've an 81H I just removed the carbs from and found the octy was wired? piped? incorrectly. I intend to use it. The right petcock leaks so that'll need a rebuild.

I like to maintain the original configuration as much as possible. With that said, the octys can be a PITA.

In order to keep original, the 81H(Venturer 1100) had no octy unless the fuel tank has been changed out for a Special fuel tank. An 81H fuel tank had vacuum shut-offs in the fuel petcocks with two short hoses going from them to #2 and #3 cyl. intake manifold vacuum ports.

[JRealHEMC]

In order to keep original, the 81H(Venturer 1100) had no octy unless the fuel tank has been changed out for a Special fuel tank. An 81H fuel tank had vacuum shut-offs in the fuel petcocks with two short hoses going from them to #2 and #3 cyl. intake manifold vacuum ports.

Lemme guess... Those petcocks won't fit on an 80 special tank, right?

[bikerphil]

No they won't.

[JRealHEMC]

Hmmm...

I'd like to run this idea buy you guys... My creative juices have been flowing (not sure if in a good way or not) but WHAT IF after I bypass the "octy" & put in my in line filters, etc. I then plum the two sides together & add an electric shut off valve (something like one of these: http://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/plastic-valves/) that I can wire up to come on (and flow) only when the bike is on (when I turn the key) and eliminate having to remember to do it by hand every time I park.

What do y'all think? Go ahead, tear me apart... Lol

[tomcos67]

JR,
Your bike is a Special, it didn't have vacuum petcocks. Your photo is a good bit fuzzy & dark but I suspect those hoses are from the OCTY that is SUPPOSED to be installed between Carb #1 & Carb #2. Did you have a little diaphragm gizmo there sitting on top of the carbs in that location?

There are about 1000 threads on the OCTY so I won't tell too much here. Basically, it is used to cut-off fuel when the bike is stopped. Some want them, others toss 'em. Not sure but don't THINK you can get the parts to rebuild them anymore. I have three XS11's. None have an OCTY.

Many (not all) people just eliminate the PRIME position on their petcocks (check for threads on this) and use only the ON position. Again, a zillion threads on this.

KURT

Usually when octy fails diaphragm is usually the culprit... to be fixed, that part is still available... just did mine last year..

[kboehringer]

What do y'all think? Go ahead, tear me apart... Lol

Assuming you could find one acceptable for fuel with Ethanol in it, and in 12volt that won't put a drain on the limited electrical system, that wouldn't take up too much space, that would be reliable when your 200 miles from home, etc., etc., ..........

If you're really concerned you will forget, repairing the OCTY would be very possible (didn't realize they had a kit for it) and that would be a bunch easier and cheaper. Strangely, Yamaha's over-engineered design would be less complicated than your electric solenoid idea.

I have personally now gotten completely use to turning off my petcocks and I suspect you will get in the habit quickly once you get to driving regularly....You could save your creative juices for paint, trim, fenders, bling, and all the COOL STUFF you want YOUR bike to have.

KURT

[JRealHEMC]

I have personally now gotten completely use to turning off my petcocks and I suspect you will get in the habit quickly once you get to driving regularly....You could save your creative juices for paint, trim, fenders, bling, and all the COOL STUFF you want YOUR bike to have.

KURT

Lol, maybe you're right... I just always end up doing things like this, maybe I just like saying "hey look what I did..." Lol, Idk.

[fredintoon]

- - - can someone tell me what that is? I like to know these things...

Hi JReal,
that's the octy. AKA Octopus Valve. So-called because it uses eight separate lengths of hose to do the job of two.
It's a disaster waiting to happen, toss the effin' thing.
The Special's gas taps each have two outlets.
One outlet opens when the tap is switched to PRIME. Plug those outlets.
The PRIME position then becomes the new OFF position.
The other outlet opens when the tap is turned to RUN or to RES.
These outlets will work as before.
Run a fuel line from each of those outlets:-
The left tap to the fuel tee connecting the two leftside carbs.
The right tap to the fuel tee connecting the two rightside carbs.
You may opt to put an inline fuel filter into those two lines.
Now you got two fuel lines instead of eight.
Just remember to turn on both taps when you start and to turn them both off when you park.

[mack]

Plumbing

As others have mentioned. The best thing to do is just remove the octy completely. It makes everything so much simpler.
Run your fuel lines directly from the carb t's to the rear petcock spigots and just run a short piece from one side to the other connecting the forward spigots together or cap them off completely.
You will be running on the reserve setting of your fuel valve tank controls. When you park the bike, always turn the petcoacks to the off position.
It makes life so much easier.

[JRealHEMC]

I'd like to run this idea buy you guys... My creative juices have been flowing (not sure if in a good way or not) but WHAT IF after I bypass the "octy" & put in my in line filters, etc. I then plum the two sides together & add an electric shut off valve (something like one of these: http://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/plastic-valves/) that I can wire up to come on (and flow) only when the bike is on (when I turn the key) and eliminate having to remember to do it by hand every time I park.

What do y'all think? Go ahead, tear me apart... Lol

So everybody else is just gonna ignore this? ⬆ Lol