fuel valve question

tjvk · 04-20-2011, 08:23 PM

when not using the bike for a few days, which position should the fuel valve be as there is no off indication.
the options are on, reserve, and pri...i am assuming pri?

JWR · 04-20-2011, 08:27 PM

It is off in the ON position...vacuum makes it flow.
The PRI position allows gas to run out...gravity.

Just leave it in the ON position.

blaine · 04-20-2011, 08:51 PM

Welcome to the forum.As JWR said just leave it in the on position.It needs vacuum from the engine for the fuel to flow.That's why there is no "off" position.(Another Canadian on board I see)
:cool:

geezer · 04-21-2011, 10:29 PM

it would be a good idea to run the carb out of fuel while it sits for long, dont let the ethonal get you

mrlmd1 · 04-21-2011, 11:25 PM

You would have to drain it from the bottom of the carb if you want to do that, if that's what you mean, You cannot "run it out of fuel" by running the engine, as there is no way to shut off the fuel unless you unhook the vacuum hose on the petcock.
I have had my bike sitting idle for weeks at a time and have never had any problem starting it again. If it's going to sit for months, put stabilizer in the fuel and run it for 5 min to get it all through the fuel system. Some people advise against emptying out the carb for prolonged times because rubber and seals dry out.

The Prime setting on the carb is to run fuel into the carb if the carb has been drained, or if the bike has been sitting for months unused. You should not leave it on that setting for more than a minute or two, switch back to Run, because if you have a problem with a stuck float or needle valve not closing properly, you will be spilling gas out of the carb all over the floor when you walk away from the bike.

blaine · 04-21-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

If it's going to sit for months, put stabilizer in the fuel and run it for 5 min to get it all through the fuel system. Some people advise against emptying out the carb for prolonged times because rubber and seals dry out.

:plus1: Also the tank needs to be kept full to keep corrosion from forming.
:cool:

alanmcorcoran · 04-22-2011, 12:05 AM

With all of this talk - we should mention that it can be confusing to tell whether you are in Reserve or ON. Take a close look at the switch with a flashlight anfd you should see an embossed arrow that points to the position. Also, sit on the bike and, without looking down, practice locating and flipping the switch. When you get below the "reserve straw" in the tank, the bike will sputter and start to stall. With a little practice, you can flip to reserve as you're going without having to stop or restart the engine. Then it's important to remember to switch back once you filled the tank again. And reset your trip odometer.

I've never had to use the prime setting, and I've let mine sit for as long as three weeks or more.

geezer · 04-22-2011, 11:07 PM

the petcock got me the first time it ran outa gas, man did that suck, cause if you just look at the lever on look like res you know?? haha good advice there.

mrlmd1 · 04-23-2011, 09:27 AM

Look at the pic on pg. 7 of the manual posted on here. The LONG ARM of the petcock selector lever with the arrow points to what you want to select, NOT the short arm of the lever. Do not leave it on Reserve by mistake instead of On because if you run out of gas, you are out of gas, period, with no reserve left.
There is only one tank, the Reserve draws from a tube lower down in the tank than the On position, as can be seen in the photo attached, so you have about 0,3 gal. left to go another 10-15 miles to get to a gas station. When you fill up again, don't forget to switch the lever back or ON so you have your reserve. Check and reset your odometer each time you fill up to determine when to fill up again and if you do it every 100-150 miles, you should be OK.
In this pic below, the petcock is in the ON position, with the long arm facing forward.

Water Warrior 2 · 04-23-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Look at the pic on pg. 7 of the manual posted on here. The LONG ARM of the petcock selector lever with the arrow points to what you want to select, NOT the short arm of the lever. Do not leave it on Reserve by mistake instead of On because if you run out of gas, you are out of gas, period, with no reserve left.
There is only one tank, the Reserve draws from a tube lower down in the tank than the On position, as can be seen in the photo attached, so you have about 0,3 gal. left to go another 10-15 miles to get to a gas station. When you fill up again, don't forget to switch the lever back or ON so you have your reserve. Check and reset your odometer each time you fill up to determine when to fill up again and if you do it every 100-150 miles, you should be OK.
In this pic below, the petcock is in the ON position, with the long arm facing forward.

I vote for a sticky. A good pic and a good bit of info.

04-20-2011, 08:23 PM	#1
tjvk Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: leamington,ontario Posts: 9	fuel valve question when not using the bike for a few days, which position should the fuel valve be as there is no off indication. the options are on, reserve, and pri...i am assuming pri? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-20-2011, 08:27 PM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: fuel valve question It is off in the ON position...vacuum makes it flow. The PRI position allows gas to run out...gravity. Just leave it in the ON position. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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04-20-2011, 08:51 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: fuel valve question Welcome to the forum.As JWR said just leave it in the on position.It needs vacuum from the engine for the fuel to flow.That's why there is no "off" position.(Another Canadian on board I see) :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-21-2011, 10:29 PM	#4
geezer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: dahlonega GA Posts: 563	Re: fuel valve question it would be a good idea to run the carb out of fuel while it sits for long, dont let the ethonal get you __________________ 99 gz 250 and a currently dismantled fzr 1000
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04-21-2011, 11:25 PM	#5
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: fuel valve question You would have to drain it from the bottom of the carb if you want to do that, if that's what you mean, You cannot "run it out of fuel" by running the engine, as there is no way to shut off the fuel unless you unhook the vacuum hose on the petcock. I have had my bike sitting idle for weeks at a time and have never had any problem starting it again. If it's going to sit for months, put stabilizer in the fuel and run it for 5 min to get it all through the fuel system. Some people advise against emptying out the carb for prolonged times because rubber and seals dry out. The Prime setting on the carb is to run fuel into the carb if the carb has been drained, or if the bike has been sitting for months unused. You should not leave it on that setting for more than a minute or two, switch back to Run, because if you have a problem with a stuck float or needle valve not closing properly, you will be spilling gas out of the carb all over the floor when you walk away from the bike. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-22-2011, 12:05 AM	#7
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: fuel valve question With all of this talk - we should mention that it can be confusing to tell whether you are in Reserve or ON. Take a close look at the switch with a flashlight anfd you should see an embossed arrow that points to the position. Also, sit on the bike and, without looking down, practice locating and flipping the switch. When you get below the "reserve straw" in the tank, the bike will sputter and start to stall. With a little practice, you can flip to reserve as you're going without having to stop or restart the engine. Then it's important to remember to switch back once you filled the tank again. And reset your trip odometer. I've never had to use the prime setting, and I've let mine sit for as long as three weeks or more. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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04-22-2011, 11:07 PM	#8
geezer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: dahlonega GA Posts: 563	Re: fuel valve question the petcock got me the first time it ran outa gas, man did that suck, cause if you just look at the lever on look like res you know?? haha good advice there. __________________ 99 gz 250 and a currently dismantled fzr 1000
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04-23-2011, 09:27 AM	#9
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: fuel valve question Look at the pic on pg. 7 of the manual posted on here. The LONG ARM of the petcock selector lever with the arrow points to what you want to select, NOT the short arm of the lever. Do not leave it on Reserve by mistake instead of On because if you run out of gas, you are out of gas, period, with no reserve left. There is only one tank, the Reserve draws from a tube lower down in the tank than the On position, as can be seen in the photo attached, so you have about 0,3 gal. left to go another 10-15 miles to get to a gas station. When you fill up again, don't forget to switch the lever back or ON so you have your reserve. Check and reset your odometer each time you fill up to determine when to fill up again and if you do it every 100-150 miles, you should be OK. In this pic below, the petcock is in the ON position, with the long arm facing forward.
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