Are 1/4" NPT Petrol Taps compatible with BSP Threads

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
83
Country flag
Can petrol taps with 1/4" NPT threads be screwed into 1/4" BSP threaded Norton Petrol Tanks and seal properly?

I seem to spend a lot of time at home on the computer these days!
I ask because I found some "Zodiac" brand Petrol Taps in a shop online in OZ that have a choice of vertical outlet or a horizontal rear facing outlet. (I am not sure how you would obtain the correct rearwards orientation if the tap was tight facing the front being a taper fit) Why I really like these taps is the fact they have three stops Off - On - Reserve in each tap. Hopefully these taps will be compatible.
 
I’ve heard that you can run a tap in the tank thread or a die on the petrol tap and ‘make’ them fit. Sounds like a botch to me though.

I’d say the simplest option is to buy Paoli style taps. They come with a parallel BSP thread, on/off/reserve, 90 degree outlet. No butchery required.

Matt at cNw sells them. They are available elsewhere too, but I’m a bit anal about petrol taps cos there’s some really shit copies out there, so I only buy from very trusted sources.

They’re neat, flow well, shut off well, don’t leak. Nuff said really...
 
Last edited:
Slightly gratuitous picture opportunity....

I make these up for myself. 1/4" ball 'gas tap' with 1/4" BSPP threads.

Better flow than most anything else out there.

Taps identical, no reserve.

Not the easiest tap to use because they screw in as far as the go and operating lever may not line up where you want it.....but hey...racers don't fuss too much about that sort of thing!


Are 1/4" NPT Petrol Taps compatible with BSP Threads
 
Last edited:
Slightly gratuitous picture opportunity....

I make these up for myself. 1/4" ball 'gas tap' with 1/4" BSPP threads.

Better flow than most anything else out there.

Taps identical, no reserve.

Not the easiest tap to use because they screw in as far as the go and operating lever may not line up where you want it.....but hey...racers don't fuss too much about that sort of thing!


View attachment 15291

I use that kind as well, with no gauze, but with an inline filter in the hose.

Good flow, no leaks, long-lasting and cheap. You can adjust the orientation with washer thickness.
 
Slightly gratuitous picture opportunity....


Not the easiest tap to use because they screw in as far as the go and operating lever may not line up where you want it.....but hey...racers don't fuss too much about that sort of thing!


View attachment 15291

I think you can get adapters to screw in to the tank first to get over that problem.
 
Are 1/4" NPT Petrol Taps compatible with BSP Threads

Here what mine looks like.
Heading out to do some Striper fishing now.
 
I use that kind as well, with no gauze, but with an inline filter in the hose.

Good flow, no leaks, long-lasting and cheap. You can adjust the orientation with washer thickness.

To fit the gauze filters I bought 1/8" Gas Thread taps. I prefer not having in line filters hanging around! My tanks are aluminium and drained after use and no fuel enters my tank without me seeing it as it goes in from a 3 or 5 litre jug! The taps are removed occasionally for cleaning, I don't find much on them.

As for the orientation, you make a good point, but on my race bikes I take the tank off more than most...so in fact the odd orientation often suits me as with the levers tending to the inside, I can quickly get a spanner on the hex on the tap to stabilize it whilst I am an loosening the union....handy if in a fluster on a race day....

Won't suit a show pony!
 
Last edited:
I can quickly get a spanner on the hex on the tap to stabilize it whilst I am an loosening the union....handy if in a fluster on a race day....

Won't suit a show pony!

That’s why I used to use dry break couplers on my race bikes. No need for a tap at all. Plus tool-less tank removal in seconds !
 
That’s why I used to use dry break couplers on my race bikes. No need for a tap at all. Plus tool-less tank removal in seconds !

I did that on my Suzuki GSXRs.....after the standard tap and filters....

I guess turning on fuel and ignition becomes a ritual!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top