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petcock issue

oldsawfiler

oldsawfiler

Crotch Rocket
On the way to work yesterday, I figured that I better switch to reserve before I entered the freeway as I had 220+ on the od. I discoverd that I had forgoten to switch it back the last time I fueled. Left it where it was. When I left work to head for gass, I only maded it about a 1/4 mile and ran out of gass with 230 on the od. Before starting to walk, I put it on prime. Started right up, proceded to gas station and filled the tank with 5.2 gallons/234 miles. Put the valve on run and hasn't hickuped sinsce. Any thoughts? 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato
 
Sounds like even though you said you left it in reserve that you switched it to run?? :) Which way is it pointed for run in your head? Not sure what else could explain it... Hmmm Maybe it is showing signs of delivery problems when the tank is low? Been that low often? I have seen that a bunch. Acts like it is out of gas but give it a moment to fill the bowls and it runs fine again. Usually seen on bikes that people have added anything to the fuel line like a filter. ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
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<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
The valve was definetly in the reserve position when I ran out of gas. (Lever towards rear of bike) Moved it to prime and drove another 3-4 miles at highway speeds to gas station where it took 5.2 gal to fill. Stock fuel lines, no filter. After filling moved valve from pri to run, and have put 80 miles on it since (40 last night and another 40 this AM) without any more problems. strange? 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato
 
Next time you get to reserve switch level switch and keep going and see if it starts having feed problems. Thats my guess. ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
2277636501_61718d569a.jpg
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
You could have a slightly kinked fuel line or so other restriction (fuel filter? ) that mimic's symptoms of being out of gas. This happened to me once after I installed new fuel lines with a carb rebuilding. I made the lines too long and they kinked just enough that without the weight or head pressure of a full tank to 4 gallons of gas I'd experience the same symptoms of fuel starvation. I'd also check the vent line as well. AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
Thanks for the replys No changes to fuel lines since I bought the bike in late Feb. (7000+ miles ago) No hissing sounds of tank venting when I open it. Will be interesting as I approach reserve on this tank full in the next couple of days. 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato
 
Thanks for the replys No changes to fuel lines since I bought the bike in late Feb. (7000+ miles ago) No hissing sounds of tank venting when I open it. Will be interesting as I approach reserve on this tank full in the next couple of days. Very strange. Could this be a Canadian bike? HA! :eg: Hope it was just a "fubar" situation with the petcock, but as you said watch it for a couple tanks to see if it happens again. But once again if you have a situation where you suspect fuel starvation you either have a venting issue and or a restriction issue. Do you have a in-line fuel filter? Napa 3006??? If so replace it just in case. If not maybe the petcock screen needs examination as well?? AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
Do you use reserve very often? ( On trips I try to plan fuel stops well. During the daily commute I run it to reserve and switch it every tank, so that I know it works. ) Is it possible the petcock is running in the run position even when the lever is in the reserve position. Meaning run position, reserve position both mean run position. Maybe the gasket is goofed up or something. -- Even then 5.2 gal on main?? Should get at least 5.8-6.0 fill up when just switching. I have good luck with the petcock rebuild kit I got from Murphs when mine started leaking and dripping gas. I would just order one and rebuilt it regardless. Lets you also clean the screens, check the tubes for crud, etc. Its not that much money or that hard.
 
Slybones, Thats the direction that I have been leaning. Planed on doing a "Pore job" on the tank this winter and maybe Murphs electric petcock. The tank does show a little rust around the throat. I try not to run it to reserve, but will switch it when I think I'm getting close with several miles to go before fueling. Did run a can of "Seafoam" through it shortly after I bought it about 5000 miles ago. I think the po put a small filter on it, round and clear plastic. Will have to check that too, but can't realy see it with tank on. 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato
 
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