K&L Petcock for Honda Valkyrie

[nogrey]

 My general philosophy on purchasing parts/tools/whatever is "go with a quality brand". Things are not always "cut and dried" though. I have used K&L products several times and have in general been pretty pleased with the quality of their products. When they came out with a petcock replacement for the Valkyrie, I thought it might be worth a try. I have 2 Valkyries, an Interstate and a tourer. My tourer is my "around town" bike and the Interstate is my travel bike. So I figured I'd try the K&L on my tourer. Also had a few friends try it on their bikes. Here are the results: One friend almost immediately removed it. He habitually turns his fuel valve to "off" as a matter of good practice. He noticed that when he'd forget to turn it back on, it made no difference. Fuel delivery was normal no matter what position. So he ditched the K&L and purchased an OEM.
Another friend just finished up a 3,300 mile trip through Canada and is still running it with no issues.
I sortof "forgot" about mine and shipped my bike to Attic Rat recently for his GLH upgrade. Bob tested the K&L with a vacuum tool. His comment when I went to pick up my bike was "I don't like it". He said that sometimes it would deliver fuel with vacuum and other times not. Wasn't sure what to make of it but didn't like it. Well, It just flat failed in Vernal Utah. No fuel. Fortunately, my friend I was riding with had a spare, used OEM that a friend had given him "just in case". I diagnosed the issue immediately and we made a roadside repair. Back up and running in less than an hour.
So, if you're considering a K&L petcock to replace the OEM, all I can say is "2 out of 3 owners of K&L petcocks would never buy one again!". Oh, and I intend to make that 3 out of 3 as soon as possible.
I don't mind trying new things once in awhile if it seems plausible. I also don't mind sharing my failures if it will help others.
Happy trails VRCC friends. Thank God for good VRCC friends all over the world.

[Savago]

Interesting report.

I wonder if anyone else have tried the K&L petcock?

[DGS65]

I just installed an OEM petcock as well my cheap Ebay special deal lasted about one year and failed.  I'm very happy with new one I had forgotten how smoothly the Honda valve actually works!

[Crackerborn]

I am very happy with the Pingles on both the Ladies. What vacuum? Gravity won't ever fail. 

[Disco]

Glad your friend had a spare, Greg!  

[Disco]

Gravity won't ever fail. 

Especially when you fail to turn it off...      Unless you have a Dan Marc.   

[Crackerborn]

Gravity won't ever fail. 

Especially when you fail to turn it off...      Unless you have a Dan Marc.   

Dan Marc is the forgetful ones best friend. Even on the vacuum fed petcocks.   

[nogrey]

I am very happy with the Pingles on both the Ladies. What vacuum? Gravity won't ever fail. 

I had a Pingle hi-flow on my first Interstate. They are pretty bullet-proof. I'd say that's the way to go except that I really like the way honda set up the shut off on the OEM one. I was able to switch to reserve while riding when I had the pingle, but it took some getting used to and was not easy. I also did not like the fact that the stem was shorter. It decreased my reserve fuel to about 20 miles or less. That's cutting it a little too close for my liking.
I figure the first OEM petcock, lasted 22 years. A new OEM will probably get me through the rest of my riding years.