Is it doable? If so, how, I want to keep it after a complete desmog. I'm old school, have always turned of fuel when I shut down and turn it on when I mount up, for the last 40 years. Thank you in advance. i like the convenience and looks of the stock unit. Hoser
Yes, you can do this, but you won't get what you think.
To convert the petcock to manual operation, you simply take it apart and put the spring on the other side of the diaphragm. The spring now holds it open instead of shut.
Here's the problem: The petcock is "negative" in its operation. What I mean is, it holds back the fuel you don't want, instead of allowing the fuel you do want. So, in the "On" position, it is actually holding back reserve. In the "Off" position, it is holding back On and Reserve.
What difference does that make, you might ask? Well, it's like this: In any position except those described, that is in transition from one position to any other, you are by definition in the reserve fuel flow mode.
This will explain why sometimes someone will complain they ran out of fuel while in the "On" position. It's why often you can put the petcock in the "Off" position and still ride the bike indefinitely. It's not really shut off. It's not in the detent position.
Long ago, I had pics of the inside of the petcock to show why all this is so.
I put a lot of this up years ago right on this website. I took a lot of sh!t for it cause folks thought I was dissing Honda. Not so, one of my first jobs at 14 yrs old was in a Honda shop and I've loved 'em ever since. Every manufacturer screws the pooch now and then. The Valk petcock is a prime example.
I think the Pingle petcock is a good choice to replace the OEM, but there are other choices, and some pretty cheap.
And you can plug the vacuum line or remove it and plug the port on the intake runner.
