Bad Petcock, possible new purchase

[mauigts]

I just wanted to get a couple of quick opinions regarding OEM petcocks. I found a  Valk for sale "out of state", and pretty sure the guy just wants to unload it, as a buddy  checked it out, and it has a bad petcock. I did a quick search on the forum, and didn't gain the quick info I was hoping for. Even with a good deal purchase, this would have to get fixed, as the situation, wouldn't allow it to be trailered.
So when these are bad,  and OEM is preferred, as to replacing. I see them cheap on Ebay, but suspect some of us have had problems with those, thus "cheap". I would, if this were to go through, like to have a buddy get it and use it for a  group ride they have planned, and then make arrangeements to get it back home.
Pretty straight forward I would think, but wanted any feedback, so as to minimize a problem, since I wrench, but my buddy, not so much?

[Chrisj CMA]

I would replace the OEM with a Pingel and never worry about the fuel valve again. But, that's me

[F6Dave]

Whether you buy a Pingel or a new OEM petcock, the price is not bad.  The OEM was around $130 the last time I checked.  You could replace it in well under an hour.  That might be easier than trailering it.

[mauigts]

Thanks guys, I actually live in Hawaii, the bike in the desert area of California. A buddy ( from Hawaii, is going over with others for the Carson bike run, and he doesnt wrench much, but thought if I  could remedy the bad petcock, and get the bike at  really good price, then he could just fly in and use the bike instead of shipping his over, (and back, 500 ea. way).
Also, have a old friend who just looked at it, heard it run, and says its dirty, and needs to be detailed, but otherwise functional, and would be a good purchase. I'll look up Pingle. So guessing nothing on Ebay is worth trying?`If at 20.00 it lasted long enigh to make the purchase and the ride, would seem to be worth the price.
Can be changed w/o removing the tank correct?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks guys, I actually live in Hawaii, the bike in the desert area of California. A buddy ( from Hawaii, is going over with others for the Carson bike run, and he doesnt wrench much, but thought if I  could remedy the bad petcock, and get the bike at  really good price, then he could just fly in and use the bike instead of shipping his over, (and back, 500 ea. way).
Also, have a old friend who just looked at it, heard it run, and says its dirty, and needs to be detailed, but otherwise functional, and would be a good purchase. I'll look up Pingle. So guessing nothing on Ebay is worth trying?`If at 20.00 it lasted long enigh to make the purchase and the ride, would seem to be worth the price.
Can be changed w/o removing the tank correct?

I wouldn't bother with the $20 ones. Likely all you need is a rebuild kit (cover set kit). But, it's going to require removing the tank and a little tedious work on the petcock. What are the symptoms that lead you to it having a bad petcock ?

[mauigts]

No idea, Im outta state, and the guy doesnt do real well anwsering the phone, just so happens I know someone who lives there, and they went over and had a look for me. It appears, the guy has multiple projects, all unfinished, and I think he would love to get some cash and put it into one of the 3 cars he restoring with engines sitting all over. Thats anther reason it might turn out fo be a good deal. If you wont anwser the phone, how you supposed to move it.

[mauigts]

So, your saying you cant just prop the back of the tankmup innthe air and work 9n it, you havemyo actually remove it. I have 2 already, and never had a problem with them. I did once, over tighten the switch knob, when Imhad it off, and then when I shut the vavle off,mtomrun it out of fuel for storage, it kept leaking, and I thought it had gone bad, but backed the screw off just a touch on the knob, and that fixed her., Maybe thats all thats wrong with this one, but I wouldnt want to try that until after a purchase is made

[Chrisj CMA]

If you could prop the rear of the tank up high enough to get to the petcock, everything (hoses etc) would be off already why not just lift off the tank. I Had mine off today with almost a full tank. No problems.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Hearing the bike run is one thing, but I'd ask your friend that went to look at it if there was any abnormal noise on start-up. Depending on what's wrong with the petcock, the bike may have hydrolocked at one point. When this happens, the engine itself usually survives fine once the cylinder(s) are drained, but the starter idler gear can be damaged. It may break one or more teeth when the starter attempts to crank the engine with fuel in the cylinder(s). Watch this: https://youtu.be/K42mGPyH3P0?t=50 and you'll hear what the broken gear sounds like.

Valks are awesome bikes, but they do require very specific maintenance. Final drive service is also critical, and if it hasn't been done properly, you could be in for some repairs there as well. Sadly, it's the things you can't see that make or break a "good deal".

[mauigts]

Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


 

Re: Bad Petcock, possible new purchase

« Reply #7 on: Today at 12:25:19 PM »

Quote

If you could prop the rear of the tank up high enough to get to the petcock, everything (hoses etc) would be off already why not just lift off the tank. I Had mine off today with almost a full tank. No problems

One reason, is because I actually would not be doing the work, I would still be here in Hawaii. Just trying to set up a deal,mand my buddy gets to pick up a Valk, and do a road trip, and then later, I, have some experience working on them, and could oversee the bike for him. He is looking at dropping 1K to ship his bike both ways from Hawaii, and I might be able to pick this up for under 2K



As I understand it, (my other vuddy who actually went over to look at it)  once bought a brand new Valk from the dealer, so, he should be somewhat knowlegeable, but your right. Hard to know what your getting, until you do the maintenance, and check it for yourself. He does have 2 brothers pipes on the bike. so sounds a bit louder than normal., I'm guessing  my friend wouldnt neccessarily know what he was hearing, if there was a problem. A properly running Valk, has a certain sound that us experienced riders know.  I'm going to let him sit for another day or so, as he seemed pretty anxious,mand dont think he has had this very long, maybe he took in trade, as he has a few  Porche's in the front yard, and seems, THAT's he real interest.

[Jess from VA]

Is it leaking fuel on the ground?

[mauigts]

As I understand it, it was dripping after a minute or two crom the petcock, so could be as simple a problem as mine, (over tightened knob), which does make them leak. As a result, maybe he has just been letting it sit all this time, rather than deal with it.

[Oldfishguy]

Honestly, I would pass on the bike . . . no matter how cheap it is.

What your seeing is probably the tip of the iceberg when it comes to historical care of the machine.  I would not expect a one item fix when something so simple to fix has allowed to fester.

I here is an old statement about boats : "The most expensive boat is the free boat"

Let it go.

[gordonv]

Being capable to work on the bike, saving $1000 round trip shipping a bike from HI, if the price was right, I would do it. But your buddy isn't me.

Unless the fuel continues dripping, I would drive it with a bad petcock, also KNOWING what to listen for if you get a hydro lock. If it has broken gears, you may not be able to hear them, but it shows up as unable to start, as the starter turns but the engine doesn't.

I would be more concerned with the condition/date of the tires.

Then the concern of what to do after. You say it might be kept?

Someone bought and posted about the cheap China petcock, put it on his tank. We're waiting on a long term review. I suspect it was sitting for a time too, so don't forget carb cleaner and fresh fuel.

[mauigts]

Ended up passing on the bike. If it were me, going in, I would know what items to check, and would know pretty quickly whether it had reasonable care , in  taking care of it. But since it is not me, and he is NOT familiar with Valks, I would feel bad, if he had a problem, while his original intent was to do a group ride with a bunch of buddies for the Reno run. It would have been worth the price, even if you parted it out, with the prices on parts I keep seeing. It has 66K on the engine, so would at least need to know the U joint had been replaced.
It was on the CL, for California, (hemet) and he was asking 1600.00, if anyone is out in that area

[gordonv]

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/hemet-deal-of-the-day/6900408563.html

[jdp]

There's a guy on here(jimCs) or something like that, anyway he told us about an OEM Honda petcock that works on our bikes from another model for $44.00 no vacuumed line and you can mount your off on rod and knob to it, just get in the habit of turning it off when you stop.

[John Schmidt]

I see it has a salvage title which would turn me off right away if I were doing it long distance like you are. You have no way of knowing what else is damaged on the bike with a salvage title.