We limit access by GUESTS to protect our members from spam, hacks and trolls. Please register to gain access to all our resources.
Posted by Tfrank59
- July 16, 2016, 10:17:32 AMI think I can handle it 
Posted by Trall
- July 16, 2016, 07:02:13 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on July 15, 2016, 13:08:15 PMif you remove the petcock from the tank there is a screen in there. My bike had been sitting for awhile and I was having distance issues and so someplace I had heard that this screen can get clogged with old fuel and it would sort of turn into a varnish type thing and not allow the fuel to go through, so just to be sure I remover the petcock and cleaned said screen. This is also another filter to prevent crud from entering the carb.
+1 like Ratman said. You can remove the Petcock with the tank in place. First disconnect the fuel line to the Petcock, 2nd have a extra long piece of fuel line 1/4 or 5/16 will do route to a gas can, 3rd drain your gas.
4th need Ratman to answer what do you use to clean the screen after you remove the Petcock ?
Posted by Tfrank59
- July 15, 2016, 16:38:19 PMOkay, I'll do that. thanks.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 15, 2016, 13:08:15 PMif you remove the petcock from the tank there is a screen in there. My bike had been sitting for awhile and I was having distance issues and so someplace I had heard that this screen can get clogged with old fuel and it would sort of turn into a varnish type thing and not allow the fuel to go through, so just to be sure I remover the petcock and cleaned said screen. This is also another filter to prevent crud from entering the carb.
Posted by Tfrank59
- July 15, 2016, 12:12:56 PMWell unlike my other bike, which I can switch to reserve easily on the fly, this petcock is hard for me to do--got like a detent or something makes it tricky while rolling. anyway, not that big a deal, and no, Ratman, I haven't cleaned any screens or what in the tank--what's that about? I was into my carb last fall to rejet, and everything looked great, like new, but haven't touched the fuel system between the tank and carb for any maintenance. BTW, I really like the vacuum petcock for this one feature--don't have to shut off the gas!
Posted by greenbarn
- July 15, 2016, 10:22:41 AMQuote from: kw-retrorider on July 15, 2016, 03:54:36 AMGents: I routinely drive until it hits reserve. Unlike my W650, it does not just miss or sputter for a minute....it gives you a definative and sudden loss of power....so you know it is the fuel. Always have time to switch on the fly, unless it happens as I am coming to a stop. If the engine is at idle or decelerating down to idle....and it's time.....it will die when it comes down to idle. That requires flipping the petcock and then restarting. When that happens, just a glance at the odometer confirms it is fuel.
Beyond that, perhaps it takes some practice making the switch...or just refilling a comfortable mileage ahead of running out. I'm usually getting a low of 45 and a high of 55, for an average of 50 mpg.....so at about 150 miles...but anything over a 100 would keep me from going on reserve.
Ditto for me- this is the same experience I've had with my 800. The first couple times, I had to pull to the side of the road. After that, I figured out a way to switch it on the fly.
Posted by kw-retrorider
- July 15, 2016, 03:54:36 AMGents: I routinely drive until it hits reserve. Unlike my W650, it does not just miss or sputter for a minute....it gives you a definative and sudden loss of power....so you know it is the fuel. Always have time to switch on the fly, unless it happens as I am coming to a stop. If the engine is at idle or decelerating down to idle....and it's time.....it will die when it comes down to idle. That requires flipping the petcock and then restarting. When that happens, just a glance at the odometer confirms it is fuel.
Beyond that, perhaps it takes some practice making the switch...or just refilling a comfortable mileage ahead of running out. I'm usually getting a low of 45 and a high of 55, for an average of 50 mpg.....so at about 150 miles...but anything over a 100 would keep me from going on reserve.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 14, 2016, 23:39:27 PMhave you by chance cleaned the screen inside the tank?
Posted by Tfrank59
- July 14, 2016, 23:32:16 PMwell I don't normally go on reserve but have been getting extra crappy mileage lately, not sure why. I usually can go 110 miles no sweat before reserve, but she went dead right at 100 last couple tankfuls.
Posted by gdrudd13
- July 14, 2016, 07:56:06 AMMine usually sputters for a bit before it dies. Well, usually long enough to reach down and switch to reserve. I usually just pull the clutch in and coast so I only slow down a little bit. Usually I just try not to hit reserve, but that doesn't always go as planned.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 13, 2016, 22:54:03 PM 
ok the once I did hit reserve was on a major highway and it did sputter and spit, switched over and took a sec but ran fine. I pulled in for gas, forgot and left the valve on reserve, filled the tank, switched it over to run before I moved the bike, took a long time to get it running and running without farting. Seemed to be just the crud in the tank, since then I have cleaned the tank and had no issues since.
Posted by Tfrank59
- July 13, 2016, 22:50:26 PMSo this isn't a problem, I guess, just a gripe/question. we've got this vacuum operated fuel valve, right? Does that explain why, once she needs to go on reserve, rather than sputtering for a few seconds (or a minute) like most other bikes--thereby giving you a chance to reach down and switch to reserve--my Drifter engine just always dies. Then I hurry to get out of traffic (Murphy's law--that's where you'll be), switch the thing to reserve, then crank her for 10-15 seconds to get running again. Sorry to vent, but is that everyone's experience with the vacuum petcock or just mine?