Main fuel tap standpipe

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My KTM has a crossover so all the fuel drains to the fuel outlet valve. Doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to eliminate one petcock, use a 3-way and add a crossover to a metal Norton tank. You'd only need to add one bung or incorporate the crossover into the 3-way.
 
And while we're at it, lets use a vacuum-controlled petcock and eliminate the moving parts that wear out and leak.
 
Following a similar thread here:-


https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/after-market-petcocks.27890/page-2#post-422121

I bought some of the 3 position taps last month for my T140 with Mikunis, and they work well, but the right-angled outlet doesn't work well with Amals on a commando apparently (according to CNW). They're available in the US & Canada from here. Often called Paioli though mine have a different name on them (can't recall what) but may be to Paioli design, they sure look like them (as used on late Triumphs like the TSS and various Italian bikes).

http://www.britcycle.com/Products/621GasTaps.htm

Got totally fed up with the "slosh the trapped petrol over to the other side" shenanigans, and this is on a light-ish Mk1 850 Roadster, I'd hate to do this with a Mk3 Interstate, for example. Taking the tank off seems like a crazy reserve mechanism to me also? So I did the two reserve tap thing on mine only a couple of weeks back.

So confident was I, that the petrol now remaining on the "reserve side" of the tunnel, would take me at least 10 miles (pure guesswork), I cruised serenely past a petrol station last week, confident there was one further up the road. I ran out one mile short, about 7.5 miles!

Ideally I'd like more, and I guess there are variables like how bumpy/twisty the road you're on is, as to how much fuel is left in the "trap", but mine and dommie nator's experiences seem pretty matched?

Wish I'd waited until this thread came up!
 
So the only practical solution is to use two three-position petcocks, turned to On, Off or Reserve at the same time. You'd run out sooner,but have a larger reserve and use all the available fuel in the tank.
 
I think you only need 1 three position tap, although 2 of these would double the reserve at the expense of the regular range without reserve.

If the right tap is a regular on off main tap, no standpipe, it will drain the right side completely.
Then the left side gets a three position with a tall standpipe to give a decent reserve.
This will drain the left side completely.
The stand pipe on the Pingel is 2.5" long.
Not sure how much fuel this equates to in a Roadster tank, but my guess is, more than 9 miles.

Glen
 
If the right tap is a regular on off main tap, no standpipe, it will drain the right side completely.
Then the left side gets a three position with a tall standpipe to give a decent reserve.
This will drain the left side completely.
The stand pipe on the Pingel is 2.5" long.
Not sure how much fuel this equates to in a Roadster tank, but my guess is, more than 9 miles.

The experiment I did had the left tap in the off position until the right side drained though. Having a standpipe on the left one wouldn't give it any more range if you think about it.

The better way would be the three position taps on both sides to give more warning the fuel is getting low.
I'm fairly used to the limited amount of fuel the Roadster carries now and can check on the move with my flip cap.
 
I see your point. Yes two 3 position taps would be good there. Tall stand pipes would help then, if the object is to have a couple of litres on reserve. This should equate to 20 miles or so.
I get away with one but it's a different tank shape, there is more depth of separation between the sides. The reserve amount is a bit over 2 litres on it.
 
OR...simply determine how many miles the bike runs on a tank of gas (carry an extra gallon with you), reduce that mileage by, say, 20 percent (or whatever you are comfortable with) and figure on looking for a gas station at that mileage. No need to fool with "reserve" taps at all.

If you know that your Roadster's range is, say, 120 miles, and you run out of gas because you elected NOT to refuel before that point, whose fault is that? ;)
 
If you know that your Roadster's range is, say, 120 miles, and you run out of gas because you elected NOT to refuel before that point, whose fault is that? ;)

Good point of course. I just wish I had a trip meter to make that easier.
 
How does that work? I assume you have to input your mileage and fuel capacity etc?

You input how many miles before you want to be notified - I have 120 entered. When you gas up you reset the fuel mileage counter.
 
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