petcock peeves
04-17-2008 | 10:40 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
From: Fredericton, NB Canada
petcock peeves
So I stored my '98 VTR last fall (first year I own the bike) with a full tank of gas, added stabilizer and, since I didn't find a fuel shutt off, just turned off the bike and removed the battery.
This Spring, replaced the battery and she fired up just great. Loaded her up in the back of my truck to bring her to the dealer the next morning for a new tire, chain, sprockets, etc...
Next morning I found all the gas from the tank in the box of my truck.
Dealer said a needle in a carb stuck and ordered 2 new ones. That weekend I read-up on the VTR fuel system and it said the petcock is vacuum operated and should only deliver fuel when the engine is running.
Sure enough, next week, the dealer says "You need a new petcock". I said "No thanks, I have a dog, but seriously is my bike ready?"
So I have a petcock on order. They tried cleaning it but that didn't work.
Anyone else have this problem? Next year..... same thing to store it but maybe drain the bowls?
On a side note, they said the clutch had to be bled as it at air-locked over the winter. They said this is a common problem.
This Spring, replaced the battery and she fired up just great. Loaded her up in the back of my truck to bring her to the dealer the next morning for a new tire, chain, sprockets, etc...
Next morning I found all the gas from the tank in the box of my truck.
Dealer said a needle in a carb stuck and ordered 2 new ones. That weekend I read-up on the VTR fuel system and it said the petcock is vacuum operated and should only deliver fuel when the engine is running.
Sure enough, next week, the dealer says "You need a new petcock". I said "No thanks, I have a dog, but seriously is my bike ready?"
So I have a petcock on order. They tried cleaning it but that didn't work.
Anyone else have this problem? Next year..... same thing to store it but maybe drain the bowls?
On a side note, they said the clutch had to be bled as it at air-locked over the winter. They said this is a common problem.
04-17-2008 | 11:31 AM
#2
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
I have never had the VTR one apart but I believe there is a rubber diaphram in the petcock that could fail and cause it to flow fuel with the bike off... Since its a '98 and 10 years old its quite possible as rubber degrades over time. I usually empty the carb bowls even though I do run stabilizer in the tank, I have seen a lot of gummed up carbs over the years and do my best to prevent it now.
Maybe others have had this issue but if the diaphram did let go its possible that the fuel actually came out of the other port on the petcock that doesn't have a hose connected to it - just a guess there and its also possible that you had a stuck float and the carb overflowed...
Maybe others have had this issue but if the diaphram did let go its possible that the fuel actually came out of the other port on the petcock that doesn't have a hose connected to it - just a guess there and its also possible that you had a stuck float and the carb overflowed...
04-17-2008 | 12:10 PM
#4
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Yes, the rubber diaphragm is pulled open by vacuum and allows gas flow when the bike is running. 10 years old now so.......
Don't know about the clutch issue as I'm not real familiar with storing issues since we ride all year here.
Don't know about the clutch issue as I'm not real familiar with storing issues since we ride all year here.
04-17-2008 | 12:11 PM
#5
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 284
From: Warren, NH
The petcocks do go bad. In order for the fuel to get into your truck bed you would need both the petcock and needle and seat to go bad. Not uncommon for the needle and seat to stick after a bike has been in storage. Most of the time a couple taps on the side of the carb and they will free up and you won't have a problem again. It has been sitting for a lonf time they could be varnished up bad enough to need replacemnet. Tough saying with out seeing them.
As far as the clutch getting "air locked from sitting" I have never seen this. The only way for air to get into your sytem from sitting is if there was a leak somewhere. Did your clutch work when you got it out of storge?
As far as the clutch getting "air locked from sitting" I have never seen this. The only way for air to get into your sytem from sitting is if there was a leak somewhere. Did your clutch work when you got it out of storge?
04-17-2008 | 12:15 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
From: Fredericton, NB Canada
Thanks folks,
Should get the bike back tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you know how things go.
Looking forward to trying the new tire. Had a Michelin Pilot Power but switched to Metzeler M3.
Yes, some of you are very lucky to be able to ride all year long... on the other hand... Canada's a good place to find low mileage bikes
Should get the bike back tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you know how things go.
Looking forward to trying the new tire. Had a Michelin Pilot Power but switched to Metzeler M3.
Yes, some of you are very lucky to be able to ride all year long... on the other hand... Canada's a good place to find low mileage bikes
04-22-2008 | 06:12 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
From: Fredericton, NB Canada
FYI
got the bike back; new tire is awesome. In the words of Borat: "Very nice, I like very much".
I think I'm going to need a new clutch master cylinder rebuild kit though. The lever has to be almost all the way out before engaging. The mechanic said he bled the clutch. The rebuild kit is $65.00 from Honda.
got the bike back; new tire is awesome. In the words of Borat: "Very nice, I like very much".
I think I'm going to need a new clutch master cylinder rebuild kit though. The lever has to be almost all the way out before engaging. The mechanic said he bled the clutch. The rebuild kit is $65.00 from Honda.
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