Leaking petcock

[seamonkeyaj]

Posting up to ask for Michael (my bf) - he's in the process of rebuilding/restoring a 79/82 KZ 650. The original petcock had no reserve, so he bought an aftermarket one to put in (the same one his buddy is using on his KZ 550 with no probs). It's chrome, screwing into a welded on chrome plate on the tank, and he can't get it to seal for shyt. He's tried teflon tape and gas tank repair putty so far - both are leaking like a seive. Does anyone have ANY ideas what else he could try to get this to seal up?

[FUKENEH]

Posting up to ask for Michael (my bf) - he's in the process of rebuilding/restoring a 79/82 KZ 650. The original petcock had no reserve, so he bought an aftermarket one to put in (the same one his buddy is using on his KZ 550 with no probs). It's chrome, screwing into a welded on chrome plate on the tank, and he can't get it to seal for shyt. He's tried teflon tape and gas tank repair putty so far - both are leaking like a seive. Does anyone have ANY ideas what else he could try to get this to seal up?

Im asuming by your desc. It is a scew in petcock? I would take it to a shop that has a tig welder and redo the petcock at the bace of the tank.

Make sure the petcock is not cross threaded or it will never seal. Tke a picture and email it to ma at oneunder600r@yahoo.com. I can tell more about it like that.

[seamonkeyaj]

I'll see if he can get a pic... I won't be over at his house again myself till at least tomorrow afternoon, and even that's if-y! :(

Yes, it's a screw in. There's a small chrome plate JB Welded to the tank where the petcock screws in - the old petcock was just metal of some sort, and sealed up ok with teflon tape. His buddy has the exact same set-up, with the chrome plate and chrome petcock (like his new one), and also sealed up with teflon tape. This one's just being a total biotch about every little thing. He's sure it's not cross-threaded, too.

[sofakingtore420]

if it aint a stress point or a bear to much wieght on it you could solder around it

[seamonkeyaj]

I don't think he wants to do anything that permanent - should the valve ever go bad, he'd have to replace the entire gas tank then, and parts are hard to find for a bike of this age. More looking for ideas to seal up the threaded connection, if there are any other ways.... :pardon: I dunno....

[sofakingtore420]

well with the solder he could actually pop it off with a screw driver to break whatever seal he had to make

[seamonkeyaj]

I will definitely mention it to him tonight, then! :)

[sofakingtore420]

solder is how i got my 73 honda cb500 to stop leaking fuel and finally idle right

[seamonkeyaj]

I'm not familiar with the process of soldering - is there going to be any concern of sparking on the gas tank? So far, that's his concern with any other ideas he's come up with....

[sofakingtore420]

you can buy a heatless soldering kit ...they sell it at walmart

[seamonkeyaj]

Might be worth a shot! goodness only knows nothin else seems to be workin! :lol:

[sofakingtore420]

that was my thoughts when i tryed it ..i still need to look at my carb needles though it still has issues idleing when cold ...but yea the solder fixed it main issue and took like 3 mins to do

[seamonkeyaj]

Yeah - he already had to replace the carb needles on his, too - it was leaking gas there too. Whoever put this bike together before he bought it did a real hack job of it!

[sofakingtore420]

i payed 150 for mine ...i expect to fix stuff on it lol ...im ust glad i got it to idle ..now its atleast ridable so i can teach my gf to ride it

[seamonkeyaj]

He's got his almost there.... Just needs it to quit pissing gas so he can ride it now! It wasn't idling right when he bought it, either. So far, what I know of that he's done: extended the swing arm, replaced/rewired the rectifier, new tires, new rear brake lines, new chain, replaced needles and floats in carbs... I know there's more, just can't think of it at the moment. He's got the new rear fender, brake light, and turn signals on order already too, and still wants to replace the seat entirely. Oh, and new chrome valve covers on order, too. It'll be ride-able after this petcock issue is solved, though.

[sofakingtore420]

mines ridable still now where near where i want it to be

[seamonkeyaj]

Looks like he got the issue solved! In the process of trying to remove the petcock from using the gas tank repair, he noticed that it wasn't leaking from the threads anymore - it was the plate that was JB Welded on. So, more gas tank repair putty around that, another night of sitting, and all seems fine! Thanks for the suggestions! :)

[sofakingtore420]

yw ..