Atlas gas tap

triumph2

triumph2

Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Messages
370
Country flag
Is there a specific tap (petcock) for the Atlas?
I find a regular tap is hidden behind the top frame tube and is difficult to get to.
 
triumph2 said:
Is there a specific tap (petcock) for the Atlas?
I find a regular tap is hidden behind the top frame tube and is difficult to get to.
Click to expand...
FWIW I use a push pull tap sold as ethanol proof by Paul Goff in the UK. If you use a fat sealing washer - the Dowty type that has a rubber insert sandwiched in copper, you can position the tap parallel to the frame rails. The original taps had two corks and gave a reserve. I dont trust cork taps if avoidable.
 
All I can say is good luck!, I restored my 650SS 10 years ago and brought a new Enotts tap off Rabers [pull for on turn for reserve] It started leeking a year later, new corks lasted a while then leaked again so as I have been restoring an Atlas I brought 2 taps [pull for on with a separate pull for reserve on the same tap] supposedly british made. alas yesterday I noticed the one on the 650 is weeping to the carbs [bugger]
 
There some good taps out there, but most are pull ON, no reserve. The Atlas fuel tank has only one bung, so an OFF-MAIN-RESERVE is mandatory.

Pingel makes an excellent ethanol proof rotary OFF-MAIN-RESERVE but not with BSP threads. I called Pingel and asked if they would do a custom one off. The answer was No, but the guy I talked with said they were considering offering one. If enough of us were to contact them, maybe we could push them into it.

http://www.pingelonline.com/prodcat/fuel-valves.asp


Give Pingel a call .... toll free for us in the US 888 474 6435

Slick
 
nortonmews said:
Hi
I recently had to replace my 650ss tap and ended up getting this one

https://www.aceclassics.co.uk/products/triumph-petrol-tap-and-sealing-washer-f1717/


I did buy a cheaper lever type but the reserve was non-existent with a Norton tank. I'm not sure how long this type will last as only just fitted.

Good luck with your search
Click to expand...
That looks like a good solution. What does Ace say about ethanol resistance? I tried the lever type Dyno Dave describes but I was not confident in the quality of the construction. The push pull with no reserve that I got from Paul Goff has now lasted 3 years.
 
I still use the original Ewarts tap, it has taken a couple of cork changes to get it right but has been fine for a few years now. I do not ever put fuel with ethanol in any of my bikes . The reserve function is not as reliable as I would like,I think that fuel can leak through the tap so that you are using up the reserve while still on main. The plungers for this tap are a bit special having an extended nose of slotted brass. Some years ago I bought on E bay a dealers stock of new old stock plungers.Since then I have NEVER seen these for sale anywhere,perhaps I have the Worlds supply!. The corks are new but well shrunk so I replace them,The difficult item is the fixing screw which is a bit special Don't loose it. Cork quality is the key.
 
I installed the usual lever type. They are ALL very awkward to use. Mine has held up for years. No reserve. I consider the bottom of the Norton badge is when I fill up. The tank is deceiving, you lose at least one inch of capacity because of the way it is built.
 
I got back from a ride yesterday and looked in the tank, nearly dry. The reserve fuel has seeped through the tap while still on main. The bike (99) will do up to 100 mpg if just tootling along at 40 mph so a seep is all it needs. I am running a bit weak !, and need to carry a liter bottle of fuel in the panniers.
 
norton bob said:
I got back from a ride yesterday and looked in the tank, nearly dry. The reserve fuel has seeped through the tap while still on main. The bike (99) will do up to 100 mpg if just tootling along at 40 mph so a seep is all it needs. I am running a bit weak !, and need to carry a liter bottle of fuel in the panniers.
Click to expand...

You guys must have a different tank than mine.....as I don't see how you could have fuel "leak past" the reserve to the point of almost emptying the tank while riding

It's just a seperate oriface, the main will have a tube sticking up a few inches, reserve pulls from the bottom.

More likely your little straw making the main higher the reserve has fallen off as there is no way you bike would run out on the road if the fuel level was below the main intake and just leaking past the reserve unless you were on reserve.....
 
norton bob said:
I got back from a ride yesterday and looked in the tank, nearly dry. The reserve fuel has seeped through the tap while still on main. The bike (99) will do up to 100 mpg if just tootling along at 40 mph so a seep is all it needs. I am running a bit weak !, and need to carry a liter bottle of fuel in the panniers.
Click to expand...

100mpg 1st prize for having the most fuel efficient Norton ever produced.
I agree with 1down5up, you should check your tap main tube.
BTW the Norton fuel taps were common to all other British motorcycle brands, so don't restrict yourself to looking at Norton dealers, people like Russell Motors, etc will stock them.
 
If I were capable of posting a photo I could show you the orriginal part in question and you would then realise that NO ONE has it advertised.And yes I visit Russel Motors but only if Les is there, And yes it is possible for the fuel (in very small quantities ) to pass the slotted brass valve from reserve to main. If the bike was doing 60 mpg I have no doubt that it would be very apparent that fuel starvation was occurring . The 99 when tested was found to be well capable of 100mpg (with correct carburation) .Mine is running very weak since I fitted a new 106 needle jet ( may try raising the needle ,or go back to the old worn one, ) On 1960 tanks they only had one tap which included reserve .Pull for on then turn and pull again for reserve. I had intended to buy up some old Ewarts taps and restore them for club members only, but those that rarely come up for sale are mostly too damaged ,wrong type, wrong threads, missing bits, and silly prices . I have restored another one for the 67 Atlas.
 
Last edited:
My interest aroused I looked up some road tests conducted at MIRA ( Motor Industry Research test center) and 1 test got 98 mpg and another with twin carbs showed 103mpg ,but the tech said the milage recorder checked out 4% wrong ,so only 99mpg. Oh dear. For those who are interested in these things I once did 520 miles on 10 gallons in an Austin Healey with twin carbs. But that was because I had no more money and wanted to get home from France. It helped having no windscreen (I took it off).
 
@norton bob

Is this the part you refer to?

Atlas gas tap


The slotted part is at the right end; the slot is not visible.

I agree there is no seal at the right end except for the slip fit of the slotted shaft into the bore of the housing. It is beyond my comprehension, however, that enough leakage could occur to allow even a fuel stingy engine to show no sign of fuel starvation. In my Atlas, when the fuel level drops below the main standpipe, there is a sudden loss of power.

You seem to be well acquainted with this type of Ewarts tap. Surely you would agree that IF the standpipe were to break off at its' base, the tank would potentially run dry, even if the reserve were off.

Slick
 
Similar ,but not the same. Must learn how to post fotos. The tube is fine ,but has never kept enough fuel back for more than two or three miles on reserve, So I guess it has always been that way. I always carry a syphon and a small plastic water bottle in the panniers along with a compressor and enough tools to mend a puncture,fit a gearchange spring, repair a chain, hotwire the ignition,fit a cable, replace a head gasket . At one time or another done all of that by the side of the road. Most unlikely roadside repair was replacing a snapped halfshaft on the Healey which also needed the diff removing to get the splined bit out.I carried a spare A35 shaft as it was a weakness exposed by fitting a supercharger to the 998 Cooper moded motor. Life was fun then.
 

Similar threads

jms
Atlas Rocker Oil Feed Line
Replies
3
Views
98
Matchless
Matchless
norton bob
Atlas Production Racers
Replies
2
Views
150
Matchless
Matchless
jms
Correct Speedo and Tach gauges for a 1967 Atlas
Replies
8
Views
335
jms
jms
MikeG
Atlas gas tank/fuel tap
Replies
1
Views
844
Bodger
B
mean gene
Sidecar install on 750 Atlas
2
Replies
28
Views
592
mean gene
mean gene
Back
Top