GUEST? Registration opens up many more resources which are not available to guests. Registration is free, we never sell or give others access to your information.
Posted by Tfrank59
- April 13, 2016, 09:08:47 AMI like option three – ride all winter! Man Troll you're old – I've only been riding since '74, but I've never had this carb problem either, except on bikes I inherited from other people. 
Posted by Troll
- April 13, 2016, 08:14:18 AMYa know, there are really a couple of ways to avoid this kind of issue with a carb, and they are pretty easy to do...When you store for the winter, you add fuel stabilizer to the tank, but that's where most people stop....There is a drain screw on the float bowl...you can either drain out the fuel and put the valve on PRI so treated fuel fills the bowl, or run/ride it for a while after you dose the tank to be sure the stabilizer is actually IN the bowl, or....you can RIDE THE BIKE MORE OFTEN!!!! In over 50 years on 2 wheels, I have NEVER had this problem...ever!
Posted by Pooh
- April 13, 2016, 01:25:03 AMPetcock was fine. The carb was gunked-up and the float was stuck solid. Cleaned it all out and added an inline fuel filter. Also flushed the tank. Runs great again, thanks for the help!
Posted by dkeshish
- March 24, 2016, 02:59:13 AMQuote from: Pooh on March 23, 2016, 13:55:41 PMThanks, I'll check both. So if the petcock is in the "on" position, it should not let fuel pass unless the bike is running?
the petcock issue is a quick check. Just know that almost certainly once you correct the problem you need to change your oil.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- March 23, 2016, 22:27:00 PMGreenBarn you are right and I understand Old Drifter, because my Harley if you left the petcock in the on it would drain overnight. I'll say Troll is correct and that the float is, or was stuck. I have never had any issues with my petcock (touch wood)
Posted by greenbarn
- March 23, 2016, 21:33:30 PMI don't think there is an "OFF" position on the petcock. Only "on", "res" and "pri". The on and reserve positions both rely on engine vacuum to open the petcock--- it should not flow any fuel in these 2 positions unless the bike is running. the "PRI" position just dumps fuel straight through in order to prime the carb, in a situation such as running out of gas, etc.
Often times, though, they leak fuel through when they are in the "on" position. This floods the carb and runs gas through the motor and exhaust.
Posted by Old Drifter
- March 23, 2016, 21:21:15 PMQuote from: CDNRatMan on March 23, 2016, 20:47:05 PMCorrect, plus being an Ex-Harley rider I'm used to the "old style" petcocks.
that is because you ride a 1500.....lol and don't have a carb on yours....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- March 23, 2016, 20:47:05 PM that is because you ride a 1500.....lol and don't have a carb on yours....
Posted by Old Drifter
- March 23, 2016, 20:24:12 PMSorry, I was unaware that there wasn't an actual "off" position.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- March 23, 2016, 17:11:57 PMThe first winter I had my bike I took the petcock out and cleaned it because I thought the strainer screen inside was plugged, but took it apart and cleaned it and replaced it. I have never had any issues with the petcock and I leave it on, because there is no real off on the bike for this, it is Prime, On or Reserve, this is not like the old Harley's if you did not turn off the petcock you might return to ind an empty tank. So if you have the petcock and the float bowls working properly then you should not have any problems.
Posted by Old Drifter
- March 23, 2016, 15:22:00 PMQuote from: Pooh on March 23, 2016, 13:55:41 PMIt's always a good idea to turn it off (manually) anyway...IMHO.Thanks, I'll check both. So if the petcock is in the "on" position, it should not let fuel pass unless the bike is running?
Posted by Pooh
- March 23, 2016, 13:55:41 PMThanks, I'll check both. So if the petcock is in the "on" position, it should not let fuel pass unless the bike is running?
Posted by dkeshish
- March 21, 2016, 00:31:03 AMI posted a while back that when I parked my bike I would smell gas the following day. After 1 day there would be a puddle below the exhaust. I removed the main line hose leading out from the petcock just to see if it was leaking and it turns out it was the petcock.
Quote from: Pooh on March 17, 2016, 15:15:25 PMMy 04 ran great last week. Parked it in the garage and the next day saw fuel dripping from the exhaust pipe,just before the muffler. Bike was hard to start then while running, fuel poured out from that spot. ran terribly before stalling. After it quit, fuel dripped from the vent hose, too. I opened the fuel cap while it was running but no change. Any ideas? Thnx
Posted by greenbarn
- March 18, 2016, 20:18:12 PMYep, what Troll said.
You might check the vacuum controlled petcock as well. Mine stopped working a couple years ago. If you are getting that much fuel through there, I'd guess both are bad. My petcock went bad a couple years ago, I noticed it when I had the fuel line off. It is supposed to automatically close when the bike is off, and only opens when vacuum is applied (bike running).
Posted by Troll
- March 17, 2016, 20:11:30 PMStuck float...crap under the needle. Just like when the toilet won't stop filling...