Triumphrat

red59

I believe I have found a fix for leaky petcocks. I tried this on the tapered style. I do not know how long it will work but for a day now no leaks at all. This petcock leaked from both ends of the taper and probably did not shut off all that well.
This is what I did.
I disassembled it and cleaned it well.
I put grinding compound on the male part and put it in the female part and twisted it for a minute or so.
Then I cleaned off all of the compound, at this point the finish was rough and really looked hopeless.
I mixed up some Form A Thread and smeared it on the male piece. I put the release compund inside the female part of the petcock, pushed the two together hard and twisted it about two revolutions untill it got real tight.
I left it alone for 10 minutes and then reassembled the spring, washer and pin.
It is very hard to turn on and off and I had to use channel locks to move it. I added some oil in it and put it on the bike.
It is still hard to turn on/off.
Since this is the reserve petcock I'm not too worried about it, but I will be watching it closely to see what happens.
When I get a new replacement, I will use it a lot to see how it behaves.

red59

Well, I had to use my reserve tank, so I turned on my fix a thread petcock. No leaks!! After I got home and shut it off. Still no leaks. COOOOOOL

KADUTZ

red
Use caution when working with petcocks and fuel. We lost a club member a few years ago due to a leaking petcock.
The fuel tank exploded and it was not a pretty sight.
Much better to error on the side of caution

red59

Kaduz
sorry to hear that. Mine almost ignited when the float needle did not seat and gas was dripping all around the magneto.
My petcock experiment is just that, not recommending anyone to do what I have done to the petcock. When I get a replacement I'll take it back apart and see what the Formathread looks like. I'm afraid every time I take out that old bike, someting might break, ignite or lock up.
My other hobby is Ham Radio and I've gotten bit by electricty.
Thanks for your concern.

red59

I found it in the book! duh
Dissassemble,clean the body and spindle and apply a smear of 'ROUGE" to the spindle.
Add a little oil and rotate the spindle in the tap body using the same motion as when grinding in valves.
When a true surface is obtaioned, wash the parts in petrol and apply "TALLOW FAT" to the spindle before assembly.
Check tension of the spring & if it is weak stretch it slightly.
DA DA........................

CHGOTHNDER

Just replaced both of mine at $25.00ea, not cheap.

PJ