what is a pingle?

[jimmyk]

is a pingle a type of petcock?   i just got my 99 std.  and thinking i was having a problem with my petcock, i looked into a rebuild kit,  but when i looked at the pictures of the petcock to rebuild, it looks nothing like mine....i was wondering if the previous owner changed it?
   after researching a little, i see people mentioned a pingle a couple of times...was wondering if that is what i have on my bike

[Patrick]

The Pingle is a manual petcock and looks different than the OEM.. Pingle does make a vacuum model,,but,, most use the manual version.. The manual Pingle will have a short round horizontal shut-off lever with no vacuum line..

[Gavin_Sons]

Yep you got a pingle.

[X Ring]

The Pingle is a manual petcock and looks different than the OEM.. Pingle does make a vacuum model,,but,, most use the manual version.. The manual Pingle will have a short round horizontal shut-off lever with no vacuum line..

i think thats what i have....do you know if its chrome?    i know mine has a horizontal shutoff, when pointing it to the rear of the bike is on, front is off, and sideways is reserve.

There are chrome and aluminum versions along with hex shaped and round.

Marty

[Patrick]

Yep,, it sure sounds like you have a Pingle.. Thats a good thing !!  Just remember to use it..
I use a mental pre-flight/post-flight checklist.. When the right hand heads for the key,, the left goes to the fuel valve.. It quickly becomes SOP..

[Daviddurtschi]

Where can I buy this "pingle"?

[Chrisj CMA]

Where can I buy this "pingle"?

From Pingel fuel valves on line

[Tejas]

It ain't those stackable chips?

[John Schmidt]

No, those are Pringles....can't eat just one of them either. 

[Kunkies]

For our Valk's the non-vacuum version of the Pingel is part number(s) . . .
1311-CH (Chrome version)
1311-CHBLK (Black Chrome version)
1311-AH (Aluminum version)

22mm, 5/16" hose barb fitting

. . .and yes, Pingel is a good thing.  To avoid the dreaded hydro-lock, turn your Pingel fuel valve (e.g., "petcock") to the off position when the engine is NOT running, ALL the time.

[firemedic309]

I recently bought a big girl and have a question about the petcock. With  OME petcock  should I shut it off every time? thanks

[Bighead]

Some say yes. The only time I touch mi e is when I have to hit res. riding down the road.

[Jess from VA]

Two things have to happen to hydrolock an engine (so when next you start it with one or more cylinders full of gas you run the real risk of breaking gear teeth and have a big repair job)

1.  A stuck float valve (or something wrong in a carb, allowing gas to leak down into a cylinder)

2.  A leaky (failing) petcock, or just leaving it in the on position. (our bikes are gravity feed, no fuel pump)

So why would you intentionally allow one of two steps necessary for a hydrolock?

And, the Valkyrie petcock is perhaps the best known (well documented) weak point on the bike.  

If they didn't want you to turn the gas off, why did they even put an off switch on it?

Here's a very good practice.  When you pull in to your house from a ride, reach down on one side and turn the key off, and reach down on the other side and turn the petcock to off.

But every man ought to do what he thinks is right.
 

You should buy one of these petcock rebuilt kits and have it on hand (I've used two, and have another on hand).
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-16953-MBZ-B51.html

  

[Bighead]

Jess good point I guess except that along with gravity they are vaccum activated. So if you just turn it off when you pull in The garage and don't let it run until out of fuel in the lines and carbs you are doing nothing. There is more than enough gas in the lines and carbs to cause Hydro- lock.

[Jess from VA]

Yes, there is enough fuel in the system below the petcock to hydrolock a cylinder.

However, I'm no engineer, but what about this?  Doesn't leaving the petcock open put considerably more downward (gravity driven) pressure on our (prone to failure/ torn diaphragm) petcocks, possibly leading to an earlier petcock failure, than if closed?  And if the petcock is left open while sitting, doesn't that put considerably more (gravity driven) whole-fuel-tank pressure on the fuel system right down to the carbs, possibly leading to an earlier carb failure of some kind, than if closed?  

Flow dynamics, hydrostatic pressure, and things like that.

It just seems to be tempting the fates, esp with petcocks known to fail, and hydrolock known to happen.  Both my interstates petcocks had torn diaphragms, but were discovered and repaired upon inspection before any adverse symptoms ever happened (thanks to big Bill Ferguson).  And I always close mine (not at lunch breaks and such during the day, but every time the bike is put up for the night).

It's not like closing it wears your hand out.  

[Bighead]

My reply oil NO. MY BEE will be 20 in two months and it hasn't been a problem.

Unless there is already a problem with the petcock it will not flow without vaccum. So if there is a problem it will flow either way. Also if you turn it off and have a stuck float it could still fill the a cylinder so not really solving or preventing the 50% thing you speak of. Just my opinion no facts or truths to back my statement but makes logical ( common ) sense to me.

[hueco]

Have not seen a mention. I am assuming Pingle petcock  has a reserve?

[Bighead]

Yes but smaller amount than OEM.

[Paxton]

QUOTE: "I am assuming Pingle petcock  has a reserve?"
Yes it does. It is in the center position between On and Off.

My issue with it is that I keep forgetting to shut it off.
Frankly, I should have left the OME Valve alone. I often forget to shut off the Pingle...
only to remember when I am already in my Pajamas!

If you don't have a problem with the original, I'd say, leave it alone.

I put a little tab in my key chain to remind me to shut it off.
However, I now tend to forget WTF is the tab for!