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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Petcock Valve Left in Prime
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Message started by attiii on 05/23/13 at 17:47:08

Title: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by attiii on 05/23/13 at 17:47:08

I came down to our parking garage (I live in a large apartment complex) to discover that someone had been messing with my bike, including moving petcock valve to the prime position. It's possible it has been in this position for as many as 3 days- is my bike safe to start? The owners manual suggests not...so I am curious what the best course of action is.

Thanks for helping a total newb!

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by Serowbot on 05/23/13 at 18:30:08

It's fine... (just check that they didn't steal your gas)...(PRIME is the position a gas thief would use to drain your tank)...
...put it back to ON, and go...
;)...

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by Digger on 05/23/13 at 19:37:12

4B5E5E4343432A0 wrote:

....is my bike safe to start?...

I'd check the oil level first, on the off chance that you've got a leaky needle valve.

If the oil level is where you left it, start 'er up and go for a scream....

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by attiii on 05/24/13 at 08:19:06

Thanks for the info! Relieved to know it's not as bad as the manual makes it out to be! Gas thievery- hadn't even thought about that, but thankfully, it still remains!

I still have the original petcock on my savage- from what I've read here I should change it out for the Yamaha Raptor?

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by Dave on 05/24/13 at 08:48:10

Since you still have your owners manual......I might guess that the bike is reasonably new? The stock petcock has been known to work fine for a long time for some owners....not so long for others. The symptoms of the failing stock petcick can be misleading, and they always seem to happen at a bad time (Like cruising along at 70mph on a busy interstate while you are in the middle lane). I suppose the modifications that reduce vacuum, and storage of the bike in climate extremes may promote early problems.

The Raptor is one way to eliminate a potential problem - but so is disconnecting the clutch safety switch, the kick stand safety switch, and the neutral safety circuit. These modifications are deemed to be excessive.......and some may view the Raptor the same way.

Me......I have a Raptor.....but then I don't have a clutch or kick stand switch anymore either? I do still have my neutral light! ;D

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by apache snow on 05/24/13 at 08:57:55

My stock petcock seemed to be working OK but I put a raptor on anyway. I did notice after installing the raptor that my idle RPMs increased a little. I figured it was due to no longer having a vacuum draw on the carb. Or it was my imagination. I did have to turn it down slightly. :)

Oh yeah, I have only forgotten one time to turn it on when starting the bike. It will let you know pretty quick if this happens. I have not forgot to turn it off when I am through riding.

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by Routy on 05/24/13 at 16:40:46

5B606D7A6B677C7A6169647B080 wrote:

A very intellengently well written post/answer !! :)

Title: Re: Petcock Valve Left in Prime
Post by attiii on 05/25/13 at 07:30:01

Agreed Raptor (and thanks Dave!)

For the record it's a 2000 with just over 10k miles. It's my first bike and I'm loving it!