Converting Stock Fuel Valve (Petcock) to Manual Only

[Gryphon Rider]

There seems to be a common misconception out there that it is desirable to convert a properly functioning stock fuel valve to be manual shutoff only, i.e. disabling the vacuum shutoff.  There is absolutely no reason to do this.  If you are in the habit of manually turning off your fuel valve anyway, all the vacuum shutoff does is act as a backup in case you forget to manually turn it off, or in case of manual shutoff seal failure.  In fact, by removing the vacuum shutoff, you add to the likelyhood of hydro-lock by removing this backup.

The only reason I (and I presume others) have converted my stock valve to manual shutoff only is because my vacuum shutoff has failed and will not allow fuel to flow, and I want to be able to ride while I'm waiting to repair or replace the valve.

F.Y.I. When I say "vacuum shutoff," what I really mean is the valve opens with vacuum (when the engine is running) and is shut off by a spring when there is no vacuum.  This happens downstream of the on/off/reserve function of the main part of the valve and is independent of that function.

[PhredValk]

Thanks, GR, I was a bit worried and having to remove the tank to install the Cruise control and change filters I was thinking of doing this as a preventative. Now I won't worry about it. I have enought to do before my trip East as it is.
Fred.