Another Petcock question ....

[Sodbuster]

There's a lot of talk on this forum of using a Pingel petcock to replace the OEM. But, Golan makes a nice product as well that is high flow and is very similar to the Pingel except it uses ball bearings and detents for the swivel.

Has any one tried one of these and any feedback on pro's/con's ??

$84.99 w/free shipping

http://www.customchrome.net/icatalog/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=603532

http://www.golanproducts.com/index.html

[Ebony Red]

Nope, haven't heard of this, but the concept sounds good.
I still have my original Petcock on my '99 I/S - no problems Yet 

[valkmc]

Here is another petcock question.....I have a 98 standard with the original petcock. I do not use it unless I need reserve, I do not shut it off. I live in Florida and the bike rarely sets for more than a day or two. I read about petcock failures often, what should I be looking for or be careful of? 

[Pete]

You really should turn the petcock off when not riding it. 

Watch for the smell of gas, gas on the floor, gas on the engine under the carbs, gas in a cylinder(hydro lock), gas in the engine oil.

If the you try to start the engine and if feels like it is locked up think hydro lock. Pull the plugs to determine. Good luck Pete.

[John U.]

If you have a hydrolock, the starter will clunk or clank when  the starter button is first pushed. Release it immediately and don't push the button again until you remove the plugs and get the bike out side. Don't be smoking when you hit the stater button again, you might make an ash of yourself.

[Sodbuster]

so .... no one's ever used a Golan I take it ??

[Larry]

Never used one, but I like the fuel selector options, it could make for a unique setup. I have chrome covers from Mr. Bling and am looking at a solid cover for the petcock side, or one without the big hole. Thinking about getting rid of the petcock all together. It would be cool to mount a valve on the cover and run a fuel hose with a Quick disconnect and filter (if room) to the tank. Then from the valve have a second QD and possibly filter to the carbs.

[Sodbuster]

....... I have chrome covers from Mr. Bling and am looking at a solid cover for the petcock side, or one without the big hole. Thinking about getting rid of the petcock all together.

How would you manage your "Reserve" if you did that ??

[Larry]

Get used to being without. GW's and vehicles don't have reserves. Could pack a small fuel bottle in the saddlebag or mount one under the trunk if I don't think I can live without a reserve.

[rmrc51]

Never used one, but I like the fuel selector options, it could make for a unique setup. I have chrome covers from Mr. Bling and am looking at a solid cover for the petcock side, or one without the big hole. Thinking about getting rid of the petcock all together. It would be cool to mount a valve on the cover and run a fuel hose with a Quick disconnect and filter (if room) to the tank. Then from the valve have a second QD and possibly filter to the carbs.

Mr. Bling already has a chrome side plate specifically for those of us who have the Pingel petcock. I'm going to order mine shortly.

As far as the reserve, I also never use it. I recently put an Interstate tank on my standard and installed the Motosen fuel gauge. When ever I see that I'm approaching 1/4 tank, I just fill up again. I never liked running any gas tank ( motorcycle or car ) below the 1/4 mark.

[X Ring]

rmrc51, just remember from time to time you need to put the petcock on reserve and use the fuel in the reserve area of the tank.

[Patrick]

" reserve area of the tank" ???

[hubcapsc]

Here is another petcock question.....I have a 98 standard with the original petcock. I do not use it unless I need reserve, I do not shut it off. I live in Florida and the bike rarely sets for more than a day or two. I read about petcock failures often, what should I be looking for or be careful of? 

During a recent maintenance shot when I had the tank off I tested the petcock...

  with no vacuum, no gas should come out whether it's on, off or on reserve.

  with a vacuum, gas should spew (not trickle) out when on or reserve, nothing when off.

  I rebuilt the petcock a couple of years ago, will do so again in a while...

I like the stock petcock. I never touch it either, except to go to reserve when needed...

If you have a hydrolock and bust some teeth off the starter ring gear, the fix requires engine
removal and a bunch of tear down...

-Mike

[rmrc51]

rmrc51, just remember from time to time you need to put the petcock on reserve and use the fuel in the reserve area of the tank.

Reserve area of the tank?? I'm pretty sure that there isn't any separation between main and reserve. It's my understanding that all of the gas is mixed. The reserve just allows you to access the fuel at the very bottom of the tank which is what I want to avoid for sediment purposes.   

[BamaDrifter64]

Never used one, but I like the fuel selector options, it could make for a unique setup. I have chrome covers from Mr. Bling and am looking at a solid cover for the petcock side, or one without the big hole. Thinking about getting rid of the petcock all together. It would be cool to mount a valve on the cover and run a fuel hose with a Quick disconnect and filter (if room) to the tank. Then from the valve have a second QD and possibly filter to the carbs.

Mr. Bling already has a chrome side plate specifically for those of us who have the Pingel petcock. I'm going to order mine shortly.

As far as the reserve, I also never use it. I recently put an Interstate tank on my standard and installed the Motosen fuel gauge. When ever I see that I'm approaching 1/4 tank, I just fill up again. I never liked running any gas tank ( motorcycle or car ) below the 1/4 mark.

Is there a link for this Mr. Bling???  I've never heard of it before... ???

Dave

[hubcapsc]

Mr. Bling must = www.valkyrieblingandmore.com

[X Ring]

rmrc51, just remember from time to time you need to put the petcock on reserve and use the fuel in the reserve area of the tank.

Reserve area of the tank?? I'm pretty sure that there isn't any separation between main and reserve. It's my understanding that all of the gas is mixed. The reserve just allows you to access the fuel at the very bottom of the tank which is what I want to avoid for sediment purposes.   

Don't forget gas/water seperation.  The water ends up in the reserve area and needs to be gotten out before it causes that area to start rusting.

[rmrc51]

rmrc51, just remember from time to time you need to put the petcock on reserve and use the fuel in the reserve area of the tank.

Reserve area of the tank?? I'm pretty sure that there isn't any separation between main and reserve. It's my understanding that all of the gas is mixed. The reserve just allows you to access the fuel at the very bottom of the tank which is what I want to avoid for sediment purposes.   

Don't forget gas/water seperation.  The water ends up in the reserve area and needs to be gotten out before it causes that area to start rusting.

hmmm,,,,,... Ya know what I might do then,,.. Drain the tank at the end of each season by either opening up the Pingel with the tank off or just siphon all the remaining gas out. Then replace it with fresh fuel.

[asfltdncr]

It seems that fuel additives for water in fuel would be, if nothing else, an easier solution.

It would seem if there were indeed problems w/ tank rust and water in the tank, we would all have those issues and the jets would plug and bikes wouldn't run well. 

I put Stabil in the tank, shake it around, run for about five minutes, then shut off petcock and let run until the motor stops. 
Come Spring time, crank it for a  few seconds, then again and it starts and away I go for five years straight.

And no, the headers haven't turned color from fuel starvation.

[Dirty Dave]

The Valkyrie is the easiest bike I've had to drain the carbs. Hoses from the float bowls connect
to a single hose under the Valk. Loosen the drain screws and have a can catch the excess gas.
So easy, unless you own an I/S. The #1 carb is a bitch to drain with the rad pod thingie in the way.

[Larry]

The Valkyrie is the easiest bike I've had to drain the carbs. Hoses from the float bowls connect
to a single hose under the Valk. Loosen the drain screws and have a can catch the excess gas.
So easy, unless you own an I/S. The #1 carb is a bitch to drain with the rad pod thingie in the way.

Rad pod comes off easy! 

[Hoser]

It seems that fuel additives for water in fuel would be, if nothing else, an easier solution.

It would seem if there were indeed problems w/ tank rust and water in the tank, we would all have those issues and the jets would plug and bikes wouldn't run well.  

I put Stabil in the tank, shake it around, run for about five minutes, then shut off petcock and let run until the motor stops.  
Come Spring time, crank it for a  few seconds, then again and it starts and away I go for five years straight.

And no, the headers haven't turned color from fuel starvation.

E10 gets a bad rep with some folks, but it will absorb the water in your tank and burn it off thru the carbs in normal combustion.  Hoser