Petcock puzzle

straygator · Post by **straygator** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:04 pm

Had to walk 2 mi again to get fuel. My 87 petcock will not flow in the ON position, but flows fine in the RES position. Had it apart and can not find anything wrong. Anybody know what wrong?

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:41 am

I would guess that the tube that sticks up into the tank is clogged. Mine did the same thing, but I never fixed it.

WickedFZR1K · Post by **WickedFZR1K** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:02 pm

I am not sure if 87 and 88 are like 89-95 with the electric switch over, but if they are, maybe the switch is bad and stuck on reserve side???

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:30 pm

87 and 88 are not like 89 and up. They are totally manual...

There is an "on/off" petcock on the bottom of the tank, and there is the regular petcock out on the frame where the rider can reach it. Two fuel tubes come off of the one on the bottom of the tank. One is Normal, the other is reserve. Switchover is done at the one mounted to the frame. You could pull off both and see if they both flow. If the "normal hose" doesn't flow, then it's probably a clogged tube. If they both flow normally, then it must be in the switchover petcock on the frame.

straygator · Post by **straygator** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:40 pm

Thanks guys, the tank petcock flows fine, it's the frame petcock that's the problem. I've had it apart and seems OK, but when reassembled I blow into each tube with the selector in each position. Flow stops when I select ON. The're $41.oo at bike bandit, which is too much for such a small inconvience ... till I run out of gas. I'll just switch 'em and if it ever happens again, switch 'em back and be on my way.

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:15 am

Yeah, I know what you mean. I didn't have any choice though. I took the tank off so many times that I ended up breaking the frame mounted petcock. Cost me $50.00 with postage. I still had the problem where it wouldn't flow in the "on" position even with the new petcock. SO, I figured it was the tube in the tank.... had too many other issues going on at the time to mess with it.