VF500 int. petcock help/question

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by tom p, Jan 18, 2018.

  1. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    one of the parts that where missing when I bought a 1986 int vf500 was the petcock. finally tracked one down. . and of course it being used and bought off ebay it leaks from the "riveted" face. what are my options if any? any way to work around the problem. a petcock w/o the vacuum and being left in the "on" position will flood the carbs.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  2. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    the "search" is my friend, found the answer.
     
  3. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Tom on my '86 it attaches to the #1 intake.

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  4. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    update : one of the parts that where missing when I bought a 1986 int vf500 was the petcock. finally tracked one down. . and of course it being used and bought off ebay it leaks from the "riveted" face. what are my options if any? any way to work around the problem. a petcock w/o the vacuum and being left in the "on" position will flood the carbs.
     
  5. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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  6. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Tom, is the thin o-ring in place between the tank and petcock? Also what about the tank strainer? Bear with me, I'm going by memory, it has been a while since I had mine pulled out.

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  7. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    it leaks where the tip of the screwdriver is pointing, as you can see the "face plate " is riveted.[​IMG]
     
  8. tom p

    tom p New Member

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  9. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    theres a NOS for sale on EB for $500. ill buy a whole new bike before I pay $500. I see rebuild kits for the diaphragm part/end.
     
  10. tom p

    tom p New Member

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  11. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    I agree, that's ridiculous.

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  12. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Consider installing a fuel on/off valve and filter beyond the petcock.
     
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  13. motorhead1977

    motorhead1977 New Member

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    That fuel tap looks a lot like the one on my 87 NC24 VFR400 R which is NLA and unobtanium in the real world. I happened to find one from a very nice seller in the UK but paid a price for it (Gladly I might add). Even with what I paid for mine the eBay one listed at $500 USD is way too much. Any chance you can drill out the rivets and install screws? I know working on it like that is not something I'd like to undertake without a spare but since it isn't usable in it's current condition anyway, whats to lose?
     
  14. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    I'm on it, thanks
     
  15. forgriffindor

    forgriffindor New Member

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  16. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    thanks, I had tried to bypass the "vacuum" but seems the carbs got "flooded". unburnt gas was leaking into the cylinders and out the exhaust. which makes believe a float valve was stuck open ? ive cleaned the carbs and before install all float needles seemed good ???
     
  17. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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  18. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Anytime you are filling carbs that have been completely drained, as they are filling, take a screwdriver handle (or chunk of wood, or...) and tap on the carbs a little. Floats can (and often) get stuck in the fully open position just because they are completely extended and get "cocked" ever so slightly. Just takes a light rap on the carbs to release. Seen it many, many times. Actually last night... bench testing some VF750F carbs that I rebuilt and one of the carbs started spewing before I could give it a love tap.
     
  19. forgriffindor

    forgriffindor New Member

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    Yeah the love tap method works. I just used it maybe 10 minutes ago.


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  20. tom p

    tom p New Member

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    thanks for everybodys help. I believe I have the petcock fixed. took buying two used units to make 1 good one. no leaks and when I "draw" on the vacuum line I get gas flow. hopefully ill get it on the track shortly
     
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