[johnyC]

guys,

I replaced the original sticky Triumph fuel tap (sometimes required pliers to operate) with the dug's ba's of petrol taps, the Pingel. I had trouble with that leaking fuel out of the seal past the spindle (it's been returned for inspection) trouble was I had so much faith in it I binned the smelly Triumph one which put me off the road for a couple of days.

Anyhow, to the point. 'Slinky' on the classic triples forum replaced his dodgy tap some time ago with a Kawasaki one, today I did the same. Got a Kawasaki tap from a breaker for a fiver

 

[357Bob]

That's a great idea. Do you know what model Kawasaki it came from? I guess it fits the tank without any mods?
Also what is a "breaker"? I assume it is the same as a salvage yard over here. Or it means a bike that is used for parts. That makes more sense. A junker.
Bob.

 

[alfacliff]

that valve looks like the one on the yamaha xs650, they call it a whizzer valve. rebuild parts available from mikes xs. you will have to put on a vacuum line on it to make it work.
cliff

[ This message was edited by: alfacliff on 2006-12-05 15:11 ]

 

[ohiorider]

I contacted Pingel asking about a vacuum operated petcock, and they sent me the following information. I have not yet followed through with them. I began thinking about changing to a vacuum unit after forgetting to shut my Bonnie off overnight....several times. Luckily it didn't leak, but ....
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Here's the info from Troy at Pingel:
Hi Bob, I think I can get you fixed up with one but I will need you to verify that the space between the two bolts that hold your valve on is 34mm or 1.338 inch. This is from center of bolt to center of bolt. Here is a little drawing attached, Then I would need to know if the valve is on the right or left side while your sitting on the bike. Then I need to know in what direction your fuel outlet faces, front, back or intword the engine?

Thanks.
Troy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note on hooking up the vacuum unit - My W650 uses a vacuum petcock. A single vacuum line goes from the petcock to a "T" connection. From there, vacuum lines connect to the right and left Keihin CVK carbs (like ours). Unlike the ones on our Bonnies, these petcocks have three positions (1) Normal (2) Reserve (3) Prime - only used in the event you have run the bike totally out of gas and want to fill the float bowls.

Bob

 

[johnyC]

Bob,

Yes, bike breakers here are the same thing as your salvage yards. The tap came from a recently broken (dismantled for spares) bike, but I don't know which model.

There are quite a few variants of vacuum tap, on the one I got the lever goes in a 180' arc from horizontal rear for off, through straight down for on, to horizontal forward for reserve.

Here's the link to the thread I got the idea from:Slinky's fuel tap mod'

If you look at the picture of my bike you can see the vacuum connection from the inlet stub, the fuel line is the larger rear facing hose.

 

[DannyChrist]

just an FYI, looks like al your clearcoat is coming off your engine covers, had same thing happen to mine & they replaced em under warranty

 

[357Bob]

I would suspect the fuel tap would be on the same side (left) whether anyone was setting on the bike or not. I only say that because at work customers are all the time saying their left headlamp (or whatever) is not working & they are standing in front of the car pointing at the right side. Our Service Advisors don't know any better either.
I always leave my fuel valve on at work & once a float needle stuck & gas was running out in my stall. It was about half way through the morning before it started. Strange. I shut the tap off while coming into the garage at night so the float bowls are not full. Don't know why I do that. Always have.
I want a vacuum tap.

 

[357Bob]

Oh yeah. Get chrome side & valve covers. Then the clearcoat won't come off.

 

[johnyC]

Danny,

Yes, the lacquer started lifting some time ago. Assuming the cases are made from the same metal as my t'bird sport's were, I'm going to let them go over the winter. Then when the salt is gone (about next Easter for us) I'll remove the lacquer and polish them up like I did with my t'bird sport. Once they're done I keep them 'oily rag' clean, like we used to do with the steam engines at the Strathspey railway. That keeps them reasonably shiny and corrossion free.