fuel flow

[stein75]

i have an 83 550, my petc@ck is not working right.
it is vacuum actuated.
my question is this,
can i plug the vacum and make a gravity feed petc@ck?
or will it effect the bike?
do i need to buy one?
i have taken it apart and cleaned it several times , to no effect.
hope for help,
THANKS
stein

[clockdaddy]

If you plug the vacuum, the bike will run but not smoothly. It's necessary to have the vacuum line from the petcock to the manifold.
CD

[iamgumby]

You have permission to use the "c" word now! Watch: petcock. Admin made the change a couple of months ago. Now for the important stuff.

Yeah you can make a full gravity flow petcock. The risk is that you will have to turn it on and off. If left on and not running it can flood everything out. Also, if your stock petcock has a Reserve setting - you'll be giving that up.

I have not had to replace a petcock but in other forums I have heard about 'Pingle' petcocks being very good. A tad expensive I'm told.

Yes, the stock petcocks can be rebuilt. Be sure to check that the hose that is hooked up for vacuum is in good condition and actually has vacuum.

Kinda weird one not giving gas - usually they stick on and won't shut off. Check that vacuum port & the line. You can check the valve by taking off the gas line so that it will run where you can see it. Run a vacuum line that you can put your own vacuum on. With vacuum it should flow gas and without it should not flow gas. If the valve works the problem is with your vacuum source or its line.

Good luck!