Fuel petcock?

[reallyniceguy]

Pardon my ignorance, butI understand that when the bike is off, the petcock needs to be set to off?
When the bike is going to get started, its set to on? and when its low on gas its set to reserve?


I have my bike in my room and noticed it smelled like gasoline alot, I had the petcock on all the time, is that how it works? I read the manual and I cant find anything on it. I guess its one of those things that are common sense? which I dont have

any insight is greatly appreciated.

[cad600]

Pretty much that is how it works. I never turned the petcock to off and did not have any problems from it. But I could smell gas a bit more than usual. However, these bikes are carbuerated so the smell of gas is always going to be present.

[DonTZ125]

Turning off the petcock is a really good idea. If left on and one or more of your float valves stick open, your carb(s) will flood and fill your engine with fuel - never a good scene.

[override67]

The only time I touch mine is before winter storage.

[reallyniceguy]

U know, I started to close it last night.. and now my bike starts up the first time every time. Right now its night and it was cold outside, started immediatelly. I think it was getting flooded with the petcock open. Colds starts are good now and no gas smell inside my house.(closed it last night.)

[M in KC]

Is it possible for fuel to reach the carbs without the fuel pump running? I agree with Don on gravity fed fuel systems, hydro-lock is not good. But I didn't give it much thought on positvely pressurized fuel delivery fuel systems.

[DonTZ125]

These bikes are "assisted-gravity"; they will quite cheerfully flow without the pump. There is a certain point in the tank level where the fuel head may or may not overcome the float valve, and your bowl levels start getting random.

[M in KC]

Thanks for the pearl of wisdom Don. I will change my routine accordingly as I have seen what a hydro-locked motor looks like.