 Stiff petcock
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
There I always wanted to say that......  Actually over the last week or so, my fuel petcock has been getting stiffer and stiffer to turn. I thought I would probably be up for a new one shortly until something in the back of my memory bank re-surfaced and I remembered reading somewhere that by spraying a stiff petcock with WD-40 you can make it move freely again. Well I tried it and it actually does It work. I just can't remember if I first read it here on Bonnevilleamerica or somewhere else but if your petcock is a little on the stiff side, try hitting with some WD40. 
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
Just to give you an idea of just how stiff my petcock was getting, I was frightened if I kept playing with it for much longer it might just snap off in my hand. I'm pretty sure the extreme heat we have been having here in Sydney may have contributed to the problem and as long as it doesn't start dripping I'm sure the WD-40 has been a good fix. Hope this info helps fellow readers? 
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 80
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 80 |
So basically you're saying that a little lube is a good way to handle a stiff petcock...
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
Well it sure worked for me....... 
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202 |
mine has been just fine since I started adding marvel mystery oil to every tank of gas......
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
and here I thought this thread was gonna violate the AUP
On a serious note mine has been that way for a couple years now and never had any problem with it other than hard to turn once in a while.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Thanks for the.... "heads up!"
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
If its sticking, well chances are it's leaking too. Not profusely, but enough to piddle a little puddle on the floor when the tank is off. Replaced both of mine with pingels which took care of that problem. (I do have one of those oem petcocks my third tank. Got it from PES (Thanks Paul)).
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Mine has been sticking almost since I got the bike and has never leaked a drop, not even enough to discolor the petcock anywhere.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
If it's leaking why would it color the petcock? I didn't mean to suggest that the leakage was from around the base or past the fuel line. The only time I noticed it was when the tank was off. That is, the float needles were the defacto fuel shutoff. Thus fuel was leaking straight out of the outlet port.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Oh, misunderstood. I know mine does not leak that way either from when I have had the tank off sitting on the shelf with gas in it. So far my float needles are doing their jobs too. Not saying it isn't possible his is leaking just that mine isn't and it has almost always been hard to turn at times.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
...The only time I noticed it was when the tank was off. That is, the float needles were the defacto fuel shutoff. Thus fuel was leaking straight out of the outlet port...
I understand this to be a common issue with the OEM Mikuni plastic fuel valve. I'm just not gonna call it a pet-******.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
If you guys insist on playing with your petcocks as I do then I would suggest getting rid of that standard one and installing a Pingel petcock. They are definetely the way to go. They operate with ease, they look better in chrome and they allow fuel to flow more freely.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
when mine gets stiff I work it back and forth abit and it loosens up
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
From all I have heard the Pingel is a good quality part but at $80 to $100 a pop I'll stay with my stock one.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
when mine gets stiff I work it back and forth abit and it loosens up
No doubt! 
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
i always heard it would make you go blind!
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
i always heard it would make you go blind!
What do blinds have to do with yer petcock... geeze it's getting hard to read this screen. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
The blinds keep the sun out of your pet cocks eyes.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354 |
Last edited by Conwy; 02/03/2011 11:30 PM.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I thought I was in a motorcycle forum but now realize it's a forum for pets!
Mum was right... I AM going blind (friggin' bachelorhood)!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527 |
The last time my petcock leaked ....I reported to the shot clinic at Clark AB (circa 1975) ...and the problem disappeared quickly.
Age and experience and marriage have resulted in no recurrences of the problem.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Almost all petcocks "leak". The solvents evaporate out leaving solids, "varnish" or "lacquer" as some call it. These solid from gasoline are usually brownish or tan in color. The WD40 doesn't actually lube the petcock, it penetrates and dissolves this residue. A brand new bike's petcock will stick if left in storage or parked long enough.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I still say, give it a good working back and forth till it gives in, and is no longer stiff.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Quote:
If you guys insist on playing with your petcocks as I do then I would suggest getting rid of that standard one and installing a Pingel petcock. They are definetely the way to go. They operate with ease, they look better in chrome and they allow fuel to flow more freely.
1+ on the Pingle, whether yours sticks, leaks, or not.
Compare the two parts side-by-side, and no question you will know which one you want in your ride.
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Allowing fuel to flow more freely is useless since the stock one allows more than your engine can use already.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Stiff petcock
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 467
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 467 |
I have taken the fuel petcock/fuel bung apart twice now over the years for dirt/garbage in the tank. When I got it out of the tank I take it apart and lube up the insides with a little grease.Seems to help out pretty good.
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