Petcock question

[Bronson]

Hi: I'm a newbie, and new to Valks. My bike was left sitting by the PO for years. It's a 2000 standard. I had the carbs cleaned and synced and needle jets replaced, but I think the idle is lopey yet. Acceleration is good however. I took out the plugs and gapped them. They look good. While fooling around I noticed that the engine does not stop running when the petcock is turned off. I felt it was running long enough to drain the bowls, but it never gave any indication of low fuel.
Since reading on this forum, I find petcocks can be an issue. Is this possibly related to idle? Any info on either petcocks or idle issues are welcome!
Bronson

[The Anvil]

It can take quite a while to drain those bowls just idling, much longer than I thought possible the first time I tried it with my ZX7. Just FYI.

[Hoser]

You would need probly 5 or more minutes at Idle to empty the bowls, if it keeps running you prbably need a petcock rebuild or replacement.  I got tired of rebuilding it every two 0r three years and bought a replacement manual pingel petcock, and turn it off manually everytime I get done with a ride. The tech archives are your friend. Search petcock for oodles of opinions.  Hoser

[donaldcc]

It can take quite a while to drain those bowls just idling. . .

You would need probly 5 or more minutes at Idle to empty the bowls . . .

I agree.  I like the stock petcock alright and have taken apart and reassembled after I got nervous that it didn't turn off right away.  I know now that i didn't run it long enough to drain it dry.  

I test it every now and then while riding between 60 & 80 mph.  May take 2 - 5 miles before it starts sputtering, but much faster than sitting at idle.

[greggh]

A true test for the petcock would to turn to the off position while driving down the roadit may tak a couple of miles but if working properly it will do the intended job of shuting of the fuel flow.
I test mine at least once a month.

[Rio Wil]

Last time I did this, 60 mph, 5th gear, level ground, turned off petcock.....68 seconds to start missing.  Turned petcock back on and took 2-3 seconds to refill carbs to stop sputtering.

[Ricky-D]

I think there is an inherent problem with testing the petcock the way presented. ie: running with the petcock turned off.

The petcock "turned off" could still be supplying a small amount of gasoline which would not be detected by using the "run with off" method.

The bike having six carburetors means that not all carburetors will be equally fed when shutting off the petcock. Some carburetors will still be getting gas while others will be absolutely drying up.

The only true way to test the petcock is to disconnect the fuel line and observe what occurs when you shut off the petcock.  The vacuum arrangement is easy to overcome and should not be an impediment to this procedure.

***

[Bronson]

Thanks for all the info! I ran it longer in the evening and it did finally die. As for the idle, it is doing better today. I met another valk rider today and he felt the idle was fine, ran like his did. Maybe the cam is a little hot and causes this loping sound. I was going to adjust the valves today to see if that was an issue. Perhaps all is well, and it's just a rider issue.
I suspect the Pingle shut off is a good mod regardless. I find they are available in a vacuum controlled and full manual configuration. Any thoughts on which is best?
Bronson

[fudgie]

Thanks for all the info! I ran it longer in the evening and it did finally die. As for the idle, it is doing better today. I met another valk rider today and he felt the idle was fine, ran like his did. Maybe the cam is a little hot and causes this loping sound. I was going to adjust the valves today to see if that was an issue. Perhaps all is well, and it's just a rider issue.
I suspect the Pingle shut off is a good mod regardless. I find they are available in a vacuum controlled and full manual configuration. Any thoughts on which is best?
Bronson

Manual. You turn it off anyway, at least I do. Havent heard from those that run a vac operated one. Non vac is more common here.

[valkyriemc]

Thanks for all the info! I ran it longer in the evening and it did finally die. As for the idle, it is doing better today. I met another valk rider today and he felt the idle was fine, ran like his did. Maybe the cam is a little hot and causes this loping sound. I was going to adjust the valves today to see if that was an issue. Perhaps all is well, and it's just a rider issue.
I suspect the Pingle shut off is a good mod regardless. I find they are available in a vacuum controlled and full manual configuration. Any thoughts on which is best?
Bronson

Manual. You turn it off anyway, at least I do. Havent heard from those that run a vac operated one. Non vac is more common here.

Well when your 60 forgetting comes easy. Vacuum Pingel for me. Clean install, no problemos. As I've said before I'm glad that malfunction is in my rear view mirror.
http://www.pingelonline.com/powerflo_1311_vacuum.htm