KZ400S Petcock

Hey guys, i've given up hope of finding a rebuild kit for my stock petcock, and i can't find much information for the 400 (mostly 1k and 650).

Does the similar looking CB petcock actually work?

What is the correct spacing for a Pingel plate?  44mm?

I've seen mention of the Tourmax petcock, or similar suzuki working on a 650, but what about the 400?

Thanks

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationIs it one of these:



I've never had any luck with rebuild kits. I'd just get a new one. That's cheap.

44mm is pretty common on 70s models, but I would measure the bolt hole spacing center-to-center to be certain.
 

I can guarantee that any cheap knock-off petcock is absolute crap. I just bought one. A so called "upgraded" petcock for less than the cost of a rebuild kit, LOL. It was such crap to look at, with internal holes too small and jagged castings, I could see the thing leaking fuel as I held it in my hand, no need to install and find out. I just threw it in the trash. A $20 lesson.

As others have said, measure the bolt holes and if you can't find the Kawi part, try OEM Yami, Suzi or Honda parts. You'll find one that fits.

I learned my lesson about the Chinese petcocks on ebay a long time ago.  never going down that road again.

I had hoped someone would already know the measurement, since there are so many 400's out there...  
This petcock has been on the bike for god knows how many decades, and once i pull it off, there is 99% chance it won't seal again. 
Since there's such a small window of comfortable riding weather up here, that I'd hate to miss any of it.

Dennis Kirk is just up the road, and i can get a CB750 replacement petcock from K&L delivered tomorrow, just trying to figure out if it will bolt right up, or if i should go with a Pingel adapter plate, and the 22mm thread on version from the smaller CB's...


Here's the K&L application chart , if anyone knows of a specific model that is a better option.
I'd like to maintain the 2 outlets, rather than plumbing in a Y fitting.

I've put Chinese petcocks on many of my bikes (because I always swap out auto fuel taps with manual ones), and had a problem with a leaky one just once.

I'm putting a Chinese manual fuel tap on my KZ440 project bike, too.

I know I will have zero problems resulting from this.

I was drawn to this forum originally when I asked for help with my 550. However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that everyone is an "expert" here. I've probably been in "humble beginner" mode for too long.

The upside, of course, is that I learned a few things along the way. Among them, that it sounds good and wise to say that Chinese petcocks are all junk because China. But real-world experience teaches me that they're actually fine.

wrote:

I've put Chinese petcocks on many of my bikes (because I always swap out auto fuel taps with manual ones), and had a problem with a leaky one just once.

I'm putting a Chinese manual fuel tap on my KZ440 project bike, too.

I know I will have zero problems resulting from this.

I was drawn to this forum originally when I asked for help with my 550. However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that everyone is an "expert" here. I've probably been in "humble beginner" mode for too long.

The upside, of course, is that I learned a few things along the way. Among them, that it sounds good and wise to say that Chinese petcocks are all junk because China. But real-world experience teaches me that they're actually fine. 


 

i wouldn't say "ALL" Chinese parts are bad, but it's a roll of the dice for sure.

4 years ago, i replaced the petcocks on my XS1100 (it has two), with generic ones off ebay, and they leaked like a sieve.
i worked with the seller to get replacements, which also leaked.  I decided to cut my losses, and purchased two more off of amazon, which didn't fit at all, despite being listed as "direct fit" with good reviews...
ultimately i ended up buying pingel adapter plates, and name brand universal petcocks...
i lost several weeks of riding due to that whole fiasco, plus a bunch of money, and i'm not willing to do it again.

I'm lucky enough that i have a well known company nearby, that carries parts from brands i trust.
i just need to know that i'm ordering the right part the first time.

I've bought 2 items that were made in China; neither was bike related. Both items turned out to be absolute trash that I thew away.  Is everything made in China trash?  I don't know, but I do know that I will not buy anything made in China again.  Ed

wrote:

I've bought 2 items that were made in China; neither was bike related. Both items turned out to be absolute trash that I thew away.  Is everything made in China trash?  I don't know, but I do know that I will not buy anything made in China again.  Ed

Pretty much everything. It's made to price point. So, cheap stuff on ebay most likely junk. But not everything made in China junk obviously. For example, I found pretty much all electronics on my Africa Twin in made in China. Time will tell but I doubt Honda would put junk stuff on bikes. 

Remember those houses built where the contractors bought Sheetrock made in China that had sulfur in it? It caused all the copper plumbing and electrical to corrode.
Or the poisonous baby formula?
And poisonous dog food? Or those McDonald's glasses made with cadmium paint? Yum.

Back when KZ400.com was still around the recommended course of action was to use a early model CB750 4 hole gasket in the petcock. That's what mine has...

ThatGPzGuy
Back when KZ400.com was still around the recommended course of action was to use a early model CB750 4 hole gasket in the petcock. That's what mine has...

That's the info i was looking for.  Thanks.