Fuel Petcock

Basically this post a cry for help. I have been searching for a non-leaking fuel petcock for over a year now. I have found none from local boneyards or off the internet. Does anyone have one they wouldn't mind selling me?, or ideas? NOTE: I do NOT need a rebuild kit, the problem of leaking is NOT o-rings or the vacuum diaphragm. The leaking is out of the rotating 90 degree fuel elbow. Anyway, I know this is the tech forum, but I don't know a better place to randomly ask. Thanks.

(Is there a reason that new petcocks are non-existant?)

Post edited by: b4schroer, at: 2007/04/15 14:22

Had similar problems. Solved them this week by adding a non-stock Fuel Petcock from Z1. www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1744

The parts included:
1) Petcock - Custom Chrome - Single Outlet 3/8 NPT MC12727.
2) Petcock Adapter Plate ??mm 3/8 NPT. Check with Z1 for exact bolt spacing before ordering.

Note that gas outlet direction is to the right and directs the fuel line into the frame. It was tight but usable. Z1 may have one that directs the fuel line out the back and towards the carburetors... a definite improvement.

I followed the instructions and used the sealer included and it worked first time.

Took my first drive of the 2007 season on Wednesday with no problems. But snowed 3 inches the next day... welcome to Canada.

Please include your bike model and your location in your signature to improve the quality of the replies.

Best of success!

thanks bill . . . however, isn't the petcock you got NON vacuum? Just on or off? I suppose I could get one of those, but isn't ideal to have what the factory had on there . . . a vacuum operated petcock? I still don't believe that NO ONE is selling those vacuum pet cocks unless someone can testify(which I would like) that an on/off petcock will work just as nice.


Finally, my bike model and year is in my signature area. My region is Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sorry, I should have read your post more carefully!

Mine (1977-B1) was not vacuum operated to start with nor is the replacement.

On the one hand, if you are unable to find a vacuum operated replacement your work-around is to plug the vacuum line and use a manual fuel petcock. The bike will work fine. On the other hand, if your are looking to keep it stock or stockish the used parts route may be your only solution.

Best of success and have a great riding season.

The easy solution is to track down what other Kaw models used the same oval shaped o-ring that mounts the petcock to the tank, then just find a dealership that has a NOS one lying around.

I did this exact thing about 3 years ago for my '78 KZ650, and IIRC the NOS petcock I bought was from a Kawi Police 1000 - still going strong and hasn't leaked a drop. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $90~$100.

The most you might have to do is remove the back cover over the diapragm and rotate it so the vacuum fitting faces a desirable direction.

You have the exact same problem with your petcock as I did...the fuel elbow leaked. I just took mine apart, cleaned up well and used JB weld and reassembled. It hasn't leaked since 2005. Be sure to note the direction the elbow faced BEFORE JB welding it.
If you also have gas leaking THROUGH the valve, you can either buy the Suzuki replacement part from Z1 or the Pringle valve. The Suzuki will fit with a minor modification and is vacuum type. It's about $35. The Pringle is twice that...
Or...you can get REALLY cheap and do what I did, I simply installed a $7 in-line gas valve that I bought from a mower shop. Works fine. Now I can finally turn off my gas when I want. I have NO leaks at all.
I figure to eventually replace my petcock but for now, this worked great for me.

Post edited by: davenkids2001, at: 2007/04/15 21:58

Had the same problem.

I just replaced mine with a Suzuki vacume petcock (otherwise I would have had to enlarge the hole or whatnot). Took vacume source from one of the carb balancing hose fittings on the intake manifold.

Works fine, finally.

davenkids2001 wrote:

You have the exact same problem with your petcock as I did...the fuel elbow leaked. I just took mine apart, cleaned up well and used JB weld and reassembled.

loctite 609 works well here also...steve

I just had that problem with the rotating elbow on mine. I put a little bit of rtv sealer on mine and put it back in and left it to dry and my elbow piece stopped leaking kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,33/f kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlab...w/catid,3/id,125324/ unc,view/catid,3/id,125324

Choose the second link

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