Subject: Re: Stupid newbie question #1, petcocks
Author: Patrick Hayes
Date: Jan 25, 2005, 1:42 PM
Post ID: 1718272366
AJ Huff wrote:
| not. Please bear with my ignorance, they are three position, left (9:00), down (6:00), right (3:00). Which direction is open, which is shut? I can get the bike to start in all three positions, but cannot get it to idle for more than a few minutes so that doesn't really tell me much. Also should both sides be in the same position? |
Guzzi used several types of petcocks and some owners also changed to
aftermarket versions. So, it is really difficult for anyone to answer
this precisely for you. You'll really have to drain the tanks down to
analyze what you have.
Some petcocks have two internal stems. One sits higher than the other.
When fuel level gets below the higher stem it stops flowing. Turning
the valve opens the lower stem for an additional or reserve supply.
Some petcocks only have one flow level. You drive the bike on one until
it runs dry. Due to the internal shape of the tank there is always an
extra supply captured on the non-opened side. Open the second valve and
you use that supply as a reserve.
Pull your petcocks, disassemble and learn what you have on your bike.
Generally, the bikes will run just fine on only one petcock opening
unless you have some other fuel flow restriction.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA