Stock Petcock

[Promagnaman]

My new to me 2000 interstate has a petcock issue. It doesn't seem to leak, it just turns round and round like it is loose. The previous owner said he never used it. I put a phillips screw driver in there to see if there was a loose screw, but couldn't feel anything. It is supposed to warm up to 32 degrees here today so I thought I would look at it again. Hopefully it is a simple fix. I wonder if I have to take the tank off to check this out. I have not had the tank off before so I would have to be really careful. Any insight about how to fix this and keep the stock unit would be great. Thanks...

[John Schmidt]

It's possible the plastic shaft from the outer knob to the petcock is broken. That would let it go round n' round. If you look closely, just to the left of the knob is a small bolt that will let you partially remove the knob assembly. If it's broken, the entire thing will come loose. Internally, the petcock won't let you turn it 360 deg.

[Promagnaman]

Thanks for the reply. I will try to check this out more in the next day or two...

[olddog1946]

When I got my bike it did the same thing, found the set screw inside had never been tightened down into the petcock..all I had to do was tighten it...

[Promagnaman]

Is it a regular or phillips screw? Last night I tried to put a phillips screw driver in there and tighten it up but it didn't seem like there was a screw in there. I need to look at it more closely with a flashlight to see what's going on. It would be awesome if it were as simple as that then I wouldn't have to order any new parts etc...

[R J]

It is a phillips and some times it is a little bear to get ahold of the screw with the screwdriver........

If you do get to where you are in the head of the screw, be careful when it starts to tighten up. it will strip out.

PS:   It is very possible that the screw has fell out.......   I don't remember the length or size of it anymore.    I got a replacement at the hardware store.

[Promagnaman]

Thanks...

[Promagnaman]

 I loosened the screw took the chrome plastic lever assembly off. It looks like the square part of the stock petcock that the lever attaches to is broken off. The previous owner had the bike in to a shop last year to get the carbs cleaned and serviced and I believe that is when it must have happened. They put a small spacer in there to fill in that 1/4 inch area . I looked at the parts fische and it definitely does not show that spacer. The petcock works, and does not leak so I am fine for now, but I may need to order a new one and would like to stick with the stock setup.

I found a used one on ebay but wonder if it is any good.

[MP]

I would say it is.  Pinwall takes parts off wrecked bikes, so should be good.  If not, Pinwall will stand behind it, and ship another.  While it is off, befoe install, I would go ahead and put a cover set in it, ie rebuild the diaphram, and I would get a new screen for it.

Just like new then.

Flip side is, that will cost about 70 or so sawbucks.  I believe a totally new one, with screen, is about $100.

MP

[Promagnaman]

I'll have a few days to figure it out since there is a blizzard warning up here in ND for today and tomorrow! Thanks for the reply...

[Chillerman]

If the petcock is ok, you could just replace the plastic selector for less than $20. #7 in this fiche.

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=148103&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1998&fveh=3466

[Promagnaman]

The plastic selector is fine. The square area where the plastic selector attaches to the petcock is broken off, that is  where the problem is.  I put the long screw back in to the petcock and tightened it up a little bit and it turns fine to all three positions on, off, and reserve.

[MP]

I'll have a few days to figure it out since there is a blizzard warning up here in ND for today and tomorrow! Thanks for the reply...

I live in SW ND.  Give me a shout or PM. I may have a selector knob I could send you.

MP

[Chillerman]

The plastic selector is fine. The square area where the plastic selector attaches to the petcock is broken off, that is  where the problem is.  I put the long screw back in to the petcock and tightened it up a little bit and it turns fine to all three positions on, off, and reserve.

Sorry, I didn't read your post properly. You can still get the oem petcock from the same fiche for $110 if you wanted to keep it stock.

[Promagnaman]

I think I will go that route. How many fuel lines are connected to the petcock? It looks like just one. Then I imagine there is a vent hose connected under the tank. That is the way my Magna is.

How hard is it to replace the petcock assembly? Do you just take off the tank, drain the gas, and loosen the nut that holds the petcock on and then slide it out? Thanks for the help...

[Big Rig]

Yes inquirering minds want/need to know...