Has anyone tried the Manual Petcock from RPM on an '84?

[Bryce]

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFJPetcock

I had to clean up my petcock a few months ago because the vacuum shut-off wasn't working, and it fixed it at first, but today when I went to drain the carbs for winter I discovered that it wasn't doing its job again.  So I'm thinking I'll try a manual petcock.  Has anyone used RPM's manual petcock on an 84?  I'm just wondering if the fuel line on an 84 will match up (not sure if the size of the hose changed over the years?)

Thanks,

-Bryce

[FJmonkey]

I upgraded to the 84/85 petcock and ditched the E-Reserve crap.... Manual is way too old tech....

[Pat Conlon]

Bryce, a short answer is no.
Have you given any thought on how you are going to shut off your gas with the manual petcock?
Would it be worth it to you to spend another $42 and have this necessary function done automatically?
RPM stocks the new oem petcock for your bike for $170 vs $128 you would pay for the manual.

[Bryce]

I'd just pull off the side panel to access it.  Only takes a minute.  To me it's not about saving a bit of money, it's more about the peace of mind of knowing the stupid thing isn't stuck open.

[oldktmdude]

I'd just pull off the side panel to access it.  Only takes a minute.  To me it's not about saving a bit of money, it's more about the peace of mind of knowing the stupid thing isn't stuck open.

The petcock on my '85 is still the original as far as I know. That means it's over 28 years old.  A new one from RPM should be good for at least 20 -25 years service. Better to spend a bit extra and not have to worry about forgetting to turn a manual off every time you stop.
   Just my opinion but buy the proper part for the job.    Regards, Pete.

[Pat Conlon]

I'd just pull off the side panel to access it.  Only takes a minute.....

It might seem that way, but remember, you have to take the seat off to get the side cover off...
If you are on a trip, that means the luggage comes off before you can get the seat off.

You will need to do this every time you shut off your engine..without fail...every time. Don't forget.

If you don't manually shut off the gas you will...sooner or later.. Flood your carbs with gas causing gas to puke out your float bowl vents, wash down your cylinder bores with raw gas along with filling up your crankcase with gasoline. If you don't notice this happening and you try and start your bike you can hydro lock your motor and break some expensive internals...
If this happens within your garage, the puddle of gas under your bike will be quite impressive....it's amazing how far a couple gallons of gas spreads out on a concrete floor.....
...about the time you do first notice the smell of the gas fumes, your water heater or furnace will cycle on....

How about now?    Is it worth the extra $40..?

[Bryce]

You will need to do this every time you shut off your engine..without fail...every time. Don't forget.

If you don't manually shut off the gas you will...sooner or later.. Flood your carbs with gas causing gas to puke out your float bowl vents, wash down your cylinder bores with raw gas along with filling up your crankcase with gasoline. If you don't notice this happening and you try and start your bike you can hydro lock your motor and break some expensive internals...
If this happens within your garage, the puddle of gas under your bike will be quite impressive....it's amazing how far a couple gallons of gas spreads out on a concrete floor.....
...about the time you do first notice the smell of the gas fumes, your water heater or furnace will cycle on....

How about now?    Is it worth the extra $40..?

Don't worry, the manual petcock on my dirt bike hasn't killed me yet.

[ribbert]

I'd just pull off the side panel to access it.  Only takes a minute.....

It might seem that way, but remember, you have to take the seat off to get the side cover off...
If you are on a trip, that means the luggage comes off before you can get the seat off.

I imagine it would get easier after you had broken all the lugs off the side cover with repeated removal.

Seriously, all good points Pat. Anyone that's had a manual petcock knows that you WILL forget. I have a gas furnace in my non vented garage (old style with a permanently lit pilot) and I'm VERY aware of fumes. On a couple of occasions I have found large pools of fuel with sufficiently overpowering fumes to wonder just what concentration you would need to ignite it. It was much stronger than I would ever dared create a spark or flame in.

We had a demonstration at trade school (outside the building) on just how little fuel in a confined space it takes to make one hell of an explosion. It was very impressive and drove the point home. I have never forgotten that.

Noel

[oldktmdude]

Don't worry, the manual petcock on my dirt bike hasn't killed me yet.

The petcock on your dirtbike is easily reached without the need to remove seat and side cover. It wouldn't take long before you would regret not fitting the proper part.

[movenon]

I'd just pull off the side panel to access it.  Only takes a minute.  To me it's not about saving a bit of money, it's more about the peace of mind of knowing the stupid thing isn't stuck open.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3251.0   
George

[rktmanfj]

I rode a borrowed FJ ('86) a few months ago that's sporting a little plastic Briggs & Stratton fuel valve, right behind the rear left corner of the tank.

You still had to remove the seat, but at least the side covers stayed on.  It was enough of a PITA that I'd replace with a solenoid valve or something if it were mine.

But for a few days, it was okay.  

[ribbert]

I have mentioned here before that I fit purpose made electric fuel shut off valves to gravity fed cars. Ignition on-valve opens, ignition off-valve shut, simple.
They are compact and cheap.

Noel

[rktmanfj]

I have mentioned here before that I fit purpose made electric fuel shut off valves to gravity fed cars. Ignition on-valve opens, ignition off-valve shut, simple.
They are compact and cheap.

Noel

Yes, I remember that, but here we have yet another thread going that direction...   

Do you have any specific units that you feel might make a good setup for the FJ?

[racerrad8]

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFJPetcock

Has anyone used RPM's manual petcock on an 84?  I'm just wondering if the fuel line on an 84 will match up (not sure if the size of the hose changed over the years?)
-Bryce

Bryce,

I just did a check and I have sold 11 of the manual petcocks in the last couple of years. It does have a 3/8" hose nipple that requires a clamp compared the stock 10mm nipple. As mentioned by many others it does require the removal of the side panel to access the lever. I believe one member here added some sort of cable/pull to his so he did not have to remove the cover. It seems like there was a picture of it here, but I can't find it right now.

The other point that was made, the original petcock lasted for all these years and the new Yamaha unit will last around the same time frame too. So, bolting in the proper petcock can be looked at as more of an investment as the original petcock lasted almost 30 years and if the new one lasts another 30 years the cost per year is only around $5.70 a year.

Or you can search for Noel's recommendation of an electric shut off valve and I believe it has also been posted here about a vacuum operated shut off too. I do not offer those items, so I have no experience with them.

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

I have mentioned here before that I fit purpose made electric fuel shut off valves to gravity fed cars. Ignition on-valve opens, ignition off-valve shut, simple.
They are compact and cheap.

Noel

Yes, I remember that, but here we have yet another thread going that direction...   

Do you have any specific units that you feel might make a good setup for the FJ?

Cars have plenty of room and the units I use have bracket mounts integral with the body and tend to be largish but I have seen more compact versions that would be better suited to a bike.

This is not something I've done myself on a bike as I have fuel pumps. A fuel pump conversion on gravity feed models would be my personal choice though. Better filtration, less sensitivity to flow issues and no petcock. Fueling issues are a perennial topic here but rarely about pump models.

Having said that, gravity, solenoid, pump, manual, vacuum, they all work if in good order and everyone has a personal preference for different reasons. As long as fuel flows to the motor (and continues doing so) there is no one barrow to push.

Whatever floats your err... float.

Noel