Those fancy billet petcocks (FAIL)

Johnnymac · Jun 3, 2012

Well, I finally got time today to work on my Combat. She has been running great so I have spent more time riding than working on her for the first time recently...which is obviously a good thing. Well, a few months back I ordered a set of those machined billet petcocks from Steadfast Cycles. I paid a pretty penny for them.

Well, after I drained my tank today and installed them, the threads on the brass part (where the fuel line attaches to) gave way and stripped. Now I have a completely useless and expensive part. I have emailed Steadfast to see if they will replace it, but they only have a 2 week return policy. DOes anyone know who the actual manufacturer is for these? Surely they have a warranty on them?

john robert bould · Jun 3, 2012

Look like alloy, :?:

concours · Jun 3, 2012

You say stripped, it kinda looks like the brass nipple only had flutes turned on it, shrunk fit into the aluminum body perhaps? Or am I not seeing clearly?

1up3down · Jun 3, 2012

will it take a Heli-coil?

Johnnymac · Jun 3, 2012

The Brass part isn't supposed to come out....

I was tightening the compression fitting from the fuel line on to the petcock. When it was just about as tight as it needed to be, the brass part came loose from the alloy body. So, when I tried to back off the fuel line fitting from the petcock, the brass part came out of the petcock body.

I'm sure that this could probably be fixed, but this was a relative highend part and I shuoldn't have to. Hopefully Steadfast cycles will assist. I sent them a message and hopefully will be able to swap it out.

donmeek · Jun 3, 2012

HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH STEADFAST, BUT, JIM NOLL AT BRITISH BIKE CONNECTION SELLS THESE AND HE BACKS HIS PRODUCTS UP 100%. WHICH IS WHERE I RECOMMENDED TO BUY THIS ITEM ON A PREVIOUS THREAD.

geo46er · Jun 3, 2012

Hi,
It appears that the nut which pulls the hose barb against that brass piece may be a bit too long (or that the brass piece was too short) and that the nut tightened against the aluminum valve body pulling the brass piece out. This may be something to check before trying to connect a replacement.

GB

mikeinidaho · Jun 3, 2012

I would be tempted to run a pipe tap in there , then thread in a brass 1/4 inch pipe threaded hose barb. I know you paid good money and want them to replace it. Cheaper for Me to fix it than screw around shipping parts back for replacement. Rather ride than wait for parts.

swooshdave · Jun 3, 2012

Is that piece even threaded? It might just be a press fit. Shove it back together and see if it holds. And lay off the Wheaties.

SGOUD2 · Jun 3, 2012

Something similar happened to me with one of these petcocks (not stripped though). I put it back with red Locktite and now each time I connect/disconnect the fuel line, I am VERY carefull and use minimal force. I also immobilise the alloy body when I remove/put back the gas line.

drp · Jun 4, 2012

I have (2) sets, one is on my Commando and the other on my Triumph. Both purchased from Jim Knolls. They both work very well but the nipple unscrewed from the block on one of each set. Standard procedure now is to put red locktite on the threads and I am very careful during removal (holding body with a wrench & only snugging fitting). My only complaint is for the $ they should have broached an "allen key" shape on the ID of the nipple to help in tightening.

They are little bit of trouble but better than buying bunches of petcock that leak.

Dave

Johnnymac · Jun 4, 2012

Thanks for the replies guys. I heard back from Steadfast cycles and they are going to replace them. whew. I am relieved.
Still a bit concerned though on these. Both of the pieces had very tight threads. They are correct, but tight. The threaded fuel line nut on my fuel lines goes on effortlessly on my existing petcocks.... and on my previous OEM style petcocks. I can tighten snugly with my fingers.... no leaks. These alloy one require me to use a wrench to fully install the fuel line. One one of them, I was never able to fully tighten the fuel line compression nut enough to snug up the fitting and seal the connection. (No, I didn't not cross thread them)

On the second petcock, I was able to fully snug up the fitting and it was leak free, but when I tried to back off the fuel line nut, the brass nipple came out of the petcock assembly.

This surely shouldn't happen with a high end piece like these....

For those of you with these, were the threads really tight as well? They must all be made by the same manufacturer.

On a good note, I did have MUCH better fuel flow.

AussieCombat · Jun 4, 2012

Hey Johnny,
The new ones look to be shorter in length, than the originals taps.
Is that so.?
If so, they would be helpfull to us useing Jims Carbs where the fuel goes into the top of the bowl.
AC.

CanukNortonNut · Jun 4, 2012

SGOUD2 said:
Something similar happened to me with one of these petcocks (not stripped though). I put it back with red Locktite and now each time I connect/disconnect the fuel line, I am VERY carefull and use minimal force. I also immobilise the alloy body when I remove/put back the gas line.

+1 here. Yes to above. :shock:
As I have had the same thing happen. Used Red Loctite to re-attach and next time use only enough snug to make liquid tight. As SwooshDave said (lay off the Wheaties) Treat it like an AMAL Mk1 ..... only enough to make a leak proof fit. It still is a great petcock IMHO.
CNN

Johnnymac · Jun 4, 2012

I certainly wasnt trying to strip the thing..... But it was not tight enough to bring the compression fitting into contact with the brass nipple.... Therefore dripping fuel everywhere. When i tried to tighten it, the brass gave way and stripped. I hope my replacemnt ones are machined better, i literally couldnt thread my fuel line nuts on the brass nipple by hand.... By contrast, every other petcock ive tried i could almost completly tighten with my fingers alone.

Not sure if these are any shorter than the originals, i have already boxed the damaged ones up so i will measure once the new ones arrive.

donmeek · Jun 5, 2012

Im suspecting that maybe we have a different manufacturer out there. I have bought 8 of them from BBC, 2 sets for myself, and 2 sets as gifts for others. No one has experienced what you have gone through. You are absolutely right, with a high priced item like this, they should install and work perfectly.

Johnnymac · Jun 5, 2012

I think that I may get a different brand/type of petcock. I will wait and see if the threads on the replacement set are as tight as the ones I'm sending back. I may go with a BAP petcock instead. Is there a better option out there?

batrider · Jun 5, 2012

I thought the BAP was crap

but many people have and like them. On mine the rubber swelled and the lever stuck in position. Plus I could never get straight on the position of the lever. One side is up and the other down for ON. Drove me crazy. Took them off two of my bikes that use 1/4 Gas fittings.

DogT · Jun 5, 2012

The BAP have been working for me, but I'm not thrilled with them, fuel delivery is slow, but sufficient. I'm still working on getting my old EW ones back on.

Dave
69S

79x100 · Jun 5, 2012

If your fuel unions are as original then they'll be 1/4" BSP - 19 t.p.i. - If your taps have been made for US machines and are actually NPS then you'll be forcing the nut onto an 18 t.P.i. stub.

Batrider, originally BAP taps with the small levers worked so that both main and reserve were down for on. However, the current version with the stubbier levers seem to have the reserve upside down. Are they still made by the same manufacturer ? I have a feeling that you can take them apart and alter how they operate, or did I use an old main front plate ?

Those fancy billet petcocks (FAIL)

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