Fuel valve (petcock) died

Hello, all.

If your bike is hard to start, this is a problem you might have and not suspect...

For the past year, after rebuilding the carbs, replacing fuel lines, cleaning out tank, etc. my 1997 KZ1000P ran perfectly, until it didn't. Bike started a tad slower than usual. I stopped to get gas on my way to work. At lunch time, I wanted to go get a burger and the bike wouldn't start. Either no gas or no spark; not even a "pop." Had a AAA flatbed take it to the local wrench. Turns out, the internal rubber parts of the fuel selector had disintegrated, blocking flow. Not to mention clogging the fuel filter and silting up the float bowls. I had no idea this was even possible. Replaced selector, cleaned out float bowls, etc. Now runs fine again.

Cheers,

Dave

Especially if you use the Ethanol gas(most of us don't know if the gas has Ethanol in it). It's nasty on all rubber parts of the fuel system. I've read about fuel lines suffering internal swelling, restricting the gas flow.

Read this:

Ethanol in today’s Gasoline

Today's gasoline(for the most part)contains Ethanol, not friendly to carb parts(floats, jets, and rubber fittings, including diaphrams on the CV carbs, and the vacuum operated petcock). Read this:

Ethanol In Gasoline Problems (E-10, E-15, E-20, E-30, & E-85)

Certain materials commonly used with gasoline may be incompatible with high-level ethanol blends, causing them to degrade and contaminate the fuel. Metals that have been shown to degrade over time in the presence of high-level alcohol blends include brass,(floats & jets) lead, zinc(carb bodies) and lead-based solder.

Nonmetallic materials that degrade when in contact with ethanol include natural rubber, polyurethane, cork gasket material, leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyamides, and certain thermoplastic or thermoset polymers.

On the other hand, unplated steel, nickel-plated steel, stainless steel, black iron and bronze have shown resistance to ethanol corrosion, with nonmetallic materials like reinforced fiberglass, Buna-N, Neoprene rubber, polypropylene, nitrile rubber, Viton and Teflon meeting acceptable usage standards with E85.

1. Ethanol can break down resins and fillers in fiberglass gas tanks, causing them to leak.

2. Resins leached from fiberglass tanks can go through the fuel system, sticking to valves and other internal engine parts.

3.These deposits have caused bent pushrods and have clogged intake valves.

4.The alcohol attracts water, leading to increased corrosion in metal gas tanks.

5.Water in the fuel affects the octane and leads to knocking and decreased performance.

6.Ethanol acts as an efficient solvent, gradually cleaning out the accumulated gunk in fuel tanks and lines, and clogging carburetors.

7. Certain rubber gaskets and fuel lines are weakened by ethanol. Some rubber fuel lines may develop internal swelling, restricting the flow of gasoline. My understanding is the Silicone fuel lines resist the effects of Ethanol in gas.

8. The Ethanol in the gas has been reported to attack the glue used in gas filters, rendering them useless, as the paper filter medium is now coated with glue. It also softened the filter hose connection ends, causing possible failure.