PETCOCK: On or OFF?? POLL

[Colin]

Leave it on all the time, I do have a Dan Marc electric valve though. I never heard of hydrolock until I bought the Valk.

Even when I used to ride for a living first with the Triumph's, then the BMW's and finally the Honda's just before I retired NONE of us ever shut off the petcock. You only ever did it if you wanted to play a trick on the following rider (we didn't have permanently allocated bikes).

[BIG--T]

UDATE:   64 of 50 leave it on

[cutter]

only time it gets turned off is for tank removel or away on vacation with out her..... 

[BIG--T]

only time it gets turned off is for tank removel or away on vacation with out her..... 

Be sure to vote!

[Serk]

UDATE:   64 of 50 leave it on

Er, sorry to be anal retentive, but it's 64 do to 50 that don't, not 64 of 50...

It'd be 64 of 114 if you wanted to word it that way...

(Sorry, but it took me a few minutes to realize what you were trying to say, so wanted to point that out...)

[BIG--T]

UDATE:   64 of 50 leave it on

Er, sorry to be anal retentive, but it's 64 do to 50 that don't, not 64 of 50...

It'd be 64 of 114 if you wanted to word it that way...

(Sorry, but it took me a few minutes to realize what you were trying to say, so wanted to point that out...)

???  57.3 % = ON

[BIG--T]

UDATE:   64 of 50 leave it on

Er, sorry to be anal retentive, but it's 64 do to 50 that don't, not 64 of 50...

It'd be 64 of 114 if you wanted to word it that way...

(Sorry, but it took me a few minutes to realize what you were trying to say, so wanted to point that out...)

???  57.3 % = ON

67 on, 50 people OFF

[BIG--T]

the only time i turn mine OFF.....is when i trailer. I learned the hard way. First time i trailered...i left it on....and gas DID start flowing....and i had gas in my oil....and gas dripping out of the exhaust!

other than trailering, mine is always ON....or on reserve............

Good idea, thanks for the tip!

[Willow]

Usually I turn mine off.  Sometimes I don't.  (200,000+ Valkyrie miles without a problem.  Stock petcocks). There was no entry for that on the "poll".  It doesn't matter though.  I won't any longer vote in any of XGUY's polls because I refuse to be a participant in feeding his obsessive paranoia.    

[rainman]

Same here...habit since I was 10 years old.  Who the hell is telling people to leave the petcock on?  That's just silly! 

I never turn mine off, except to remove the tank. 

[hotglue #43]

If ya ever have the occasion to put yer bike on a trailer.... would be a good idea to shut it off..... what with all the bouncing of the carb floats going down the road.   

I might add.... if ya see my bike on a trailer... CALL 911...... it's either stolen... or things have gone real bad!!!!!!

[BIG--T]

Usually I turn mine off.  Sometimes I don't.  (200,000+ Valkyrie miles without a problem.  Stock petcocks). There was no entry for that on the "poll".  It doesn't matter though.  I won't any longer vote in any of XGUY's polls because I refuse to be a participant in feeding his obsessive paranoia.    

MY Obsessive paranoia??? There was obsessive paranoia when I first got on the board and learned of hydrolock!! I think I have helped people with the polls because people with vast knowledge on the subject has really educated me and others. If you want to slam somebody, find the guy that started this crap!!!!

BTW, The poll is entitled PETCOCK- Do see the word hydrolock anywhere???

[BIG--T]

Same here...habit since I was 10 years old.    That's just silly! 

I never turn mine off, except to remove the tank. 

Who the hell is telling people to leave the petcock on???   The Valkyrie manual.

[BIG--T]

If ya ever have the occasion to put yer bike on a trailer.... would be a good idea to shut it off..... what with all the bouncing of the carb floats going down the road.   

I might add.... if ya see my bike on a trailer... CALL 911...... it's either stolen... or things have gone real bad!!!!!!

[QOTFU]

What's a petcock? J/k i found out last week when I ran out of gas!

[hotglue #43]

What's a petcock? J/k i found out last week when I ran out of gas!

Don't cha just hate it when ya go to reserve..... go fill up..... forget to switch back to main...... then run a bunch of mile and switch to reserve  ..... then realize you are already on reserve.... ACK..... don't ask how I know...LOL

[Hoser]

I turn mine off everytime I stop------old harley habit-----so far no problems----knock on wood---

When I forgot to cut it off my old harleys, nortons and more, the worst that would happen they would leak a little gas- never heard the term "hydrolock" back then or heard of anybody experiencing anything like it. It wasn't until I come to this forum that I heard the term!!

A  vertical engine most likely will not hydrolock cause the gas will drain past the piston rings,and into the crankcase.  No gravity in play in a valkyrie piston.  Hoser

[Hoser]

I've never entered into this discussion thread before because the overwhelming majority has always said – with authority & conviction – that it MUST be turned off. Interestingly enough; they're the same people who have had trouble with theirs.

I have never turned my off. . . except when removing the tank. It's just not necessary and can only lead to the part being worn out prematurely. I'll stop with that . . .

It won't flow gas even if you leave it on taking off the tank, if it is working properly.

[T-Bird]

I would be interested in what DDT or Tank do. With close to a million miles between them I wonder if they keep it open or close it. I hope they read this and chime in.

[BIG--T]

I would be interested in what DDT or Tank do. With close to a million miles between them I wonder if they keep it open or close it. I hope they read this and chime in.

There ya go! I hpoe they read this and answer. Since the manual states it and I'm sure the Honda engineers may know a little more than anyone one the board......I hope! But whatever they do I'll follow!

[BigAl]

You guys need to check out modern technology.

It's called fuel injection.

Leave mine in the on position all the time, even on a trailer.

They put a vacuum attachment on the thing for craps and giggles I guess.

It turns itself off.

ON ON ON ON

[Hoser]

Fuel injection on a Valkyrie?  Not that I know of.  Except a Rune.  Hoser

[franco6]

when I rebuilt the leaky petcock last year I found the O ring on the off ,where the ball sits, had caved in on one side leaking gas on that position. was it worn because of age or because the shaft to the position indicator was not aligned properly.
installed a new one and again found the alignement of the whole assembly to be critical to the proper function.

Just curious, did you cut it off when parked overnight?



Actualy I rarely turn it off but not aware of last owner s habit

[rmrc51]

If the bike isn't running, my petcock is OFF. Last year I changed over to the Pingel along with the DanMarc fuel shutoff and I still turn the Pingel off. Gives me more peace of mind.

[BIG--T]

UPDATE: 57.1% leave it on.

[Hoser]

You know what?  I'm still going to turn mine off when I park my bike.  You want to start a poll on who cares who wins the poll?  Hoser

[BIG--T]

You know what?  I'm still going to turn mine off when I park my bike.  You want to start a poll on who cares who wins the poll?  Hoser

It's all about personal choice and what ever makes you feel comfortable. This poll hasn't anything to do with winning or losing! I and many people on this board are curious and just want to know. I don't know about you, but I like to educate myself on Valkyries and everything else that interest me. There is hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something. Thanks to all of you that share invaluable information about the Valkyrie!!!

[BigAl]

I have changed my mind, I love the old girl I guess and if it will make it live longer I will turn it off.

In fact it is off right now.

But the Valkyrie,, I will leave it on.

Nah just kidding the petcock is off as we speak.

Cheap Insurance for sure.

I have had a lot of carbed bikes that would spew overnight out the overflow.

And make a huge mess in mom's basement.

But I never took into consideration about the horizontal boxer style engine, ending up the recipiant of the gas instead of the floor.


AL

[NW roller]

I had a mechanic friend of mine tell me to turn it off. He is a HD mech from way back. i just went out and got my owners manual that came with my 1999 interstate. It says on page 20  On- normal position for riding. OFF - for parking,storing,or transportation.  RES - for extra fuel to get to gas station for re-fueling. I typed  it word for word.  That being said I will continue to turn mine OFF.