Aftermarket petcocks recommendation for Special

[jetmechmarty]

I have a project in the wings (many of them) and I just acquired a nice Special tank. No petcocks. I thought I was going to be able to use early XS650 manual taps as the bolt spacing is smaller than the vacuum units. No joy. A simple solution would be nice. I know I can source OE and block the PRIME spigot. Is there another satisfactory option?

[DEEBS11]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/23320042039...Bk9SR6rutZ6dZw

[DEEBS11]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11338697314...Bk9SR6rutZ6dZw

[Radioguylogs]

This is for an XS11 Special tank?

I have the on two XS11's and my XS750:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38969479929...Bk9SR6TK55-dZw

I like them.

[bikerphil]

My 2¢, a properly rebuilt OEM, although a little more work, is the way to go.

[jetmechmarty]

This is for an XS11 Special tank?

I have the on two XS11's and my XS750:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38969479929...Bk9SR6TK55-dZw

I like them.

Mike,
Do these fit with the airbox installed?

[jetmechmarty]

My 2¢, a properly rebuilt OEM, although a little more work, is the way to go.

Generally, I agree. I could just cap the PRIME outlet and I'll have ON and RESERVE.

[bikerphil]

Generally, I agree. I could just cap the PRIME outlet and I'll have ON and RESERVE.

Yep, a good way of capping it that I've done is to tap the inside of the prime spigot. Then use a set screw and yellow Teflon tape to plug it. Permanent but still reversible.

Does the OEM type for that bike have an off position?

[Larrym]

Yep, a good way of capping it that I've done is to tap the inside of the prime spigot. Then use a set screw and yellow Teflon tape to plug it. Permanent but still reversible.

Does the OEM type for that bike have an off position?

I did the alternate method- a short fuel line section and a bolt in the end. d(⌒ー⌒)

And yes... the OEM type do have the Off Position. (^_^)



I did have something similar to what Radioguylogs shows.... with all the different screw-in nipples that let you customize the angle/direction of the outlet(s). (º～º)

Two issues-

1. Getting those adjustable fittings to actually SEAL (not leak...) while IN the right angle/direction was a beeyatch. (ｏ´_｀ｏ)

2. They DID (on my bike...) hit the air box so's I had to lift the tank at the rear by 1/4 inch. (*´_ゝ｀)

[LAB3]

My 2¢, a properly rebuilt OEM, although a little more work, is the way to go.

Back when I had a Suzuki GS which also used a vacuum petcock the consensus on the repair board was to avoid the low priced knock off replacements that where available, they just plain didn't hold up. One eBay seller, Georgefix did carry a pretty pricey replacement but it did work as well as stock.

Right now Georgefix doesn't have complete replacement petcocks for XS's but does have K&L brand rebuild kits. Those kits where also dodgy in the case of the GS BUT I did find on this board the hidden secrets to making them work. You need to polish the surface of the petcock body where the oring on the diaphragm makes contact to get it to work. I relayed that piece of advice to the GS folks and the rebuild kits worked!

Long and short of it, get the K&L rebuild kit and polish that mating surface, there's a good chance you'll be throwing good money (and time) away unless you can find NOS replacements (hens teeth)

[jetmechmarty]

Right now Georgefix doesn't have complete replacement petcocks for XS's but does have K&L brand rebuild kits. Those kits where also dodgy in the case of the GS BUT I did find on this board the hidden secrets to making them work. You need to polish the surface of the petcock body where the oring on the diaphragm makes contact to get it to work. I relayed that piece of advice to the GS folks and the rebuild kits worked!

Long and short of it, get the K&L rebuild kit and polish that mating surface, there's a good chance you'll be throwing good money (and time) away unless you can find NOS replacements (hens teeth)

The OE Special petcock isn't vacuum. The rubber bits and wavey washer are available OEM, though expensive. I'll just need used valves.

About the K&L kits for the vacuum taps. The pin is too short for the Yamaha valves. Rebuild a spider valve or vacuum petcock with a K&L kit and that valve will not shut off.

(2) Vacuum Petcock rebuild kit - FAIL | Yamaha XS650 Forum Post #10 has the fix.

[Radioguylogs]

Mike,
Do these fit with the airbox installed?

Yes, I can post a picture in few hours.

[Larrym]

Yes, I can post a picture in few hours.

Could you also please use a multimeter (ohms/continuity) to check if these installed petcocks are electrically connected to the fuel tank? (o_O)

One lead on the petcock itself and the other on the screw holding the gas cap to the tank. (O_O)

Infinity resistance and/or NO continuity between the petcocks(s) and the tank is GOOD. (^_^)

AFAIK... the only petcocks I've tried/used that pass this test is the OEM.... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )

(DON'T make me drag out the pics of the disaster/horror when there IS continuity.....) ヾ(ﾟдﾟ)ﾉ゛

[DeanR]

Where did the reply button go, or did I forget how to respond to a post?

I might have one Marty. (Special). I'll take a look tomorrow.

edit... yep, I have two that came off a tank that I'll never use. Great shape except one is missing the oblong o-ring.

[Radioguylogs]

So, the link I posted before is not the petcock version that comes with elbow joints that can mount on the front or the rear of the petcocks. Here are the petcocks I actually bought:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25446720994...d%3D1110006%26

...and the I checked and found I had two bikes (not three) with these petcocks. I thought I had them on the SF, but it was not true.

Here is Venturer:




Here is the XS750:



Looks like the important thing is to use the 90 degree elbow on the front side of each petcock.

I measured the resistance and found 6.1 Ohms on the Venturer and 0.5 Ohm on the XS750. I had the XS750 petcocks off last winter to clear coat the tank. There was no corrosion at all after 12 years, but the screens fell off inside the tank. I had originally seated them with Seal-All, so I fished them out and hit them again with Seal-All.