Interesting observation about petcock
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Snohomish county WA
Interesting observation about petcock
I was watching videos about the 94 heritage special and noticed something about the petcock location in the tank. I saw some of them in the middle of the left hand tank and some at the back. Mine is towards the rear. So what I mean is that I saw a few bikes with the petcock in front of where the horn is mounted and some behind. Mine is behind.
Just wanted to know why?? Anyone have any information about that?
Just wanted to know why?? Anyone have any information about that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SW Ohio
When you're talking about true petcocks that are gravity/vacuum fed for carbed motorcycles. It's mostly about where the lowest point in the tank is. So while the end of the tank nearest the rider may look like the lowest point, it may not be because of how the tank is mounted to the frame.
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: South Carolina
The location of the petcock was originally toward the rear of the tank, my `89 original tank had it in this location, but sometime in the `90s it was moved toward the middle of the tank for reason unknown (maybe that part of the tank is beefier).
I am currently running mid `90s fuel tanks on my `89 Softail with the petcock at middle of tank.
I am currently running mid `90s fuel tanks on my `89 Softail with the petcock at middle of tank.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
With the petcock in the middle, imagine if you went to two or four inch over on the front end.. How much fuel capacity do you think you would lose?
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From: Long Island, New York
I would guess the petcock moves with the lowest part of the tank, as mentioned. Different years, the curve of the tank changes and the petcock moves.
My 1946 and 1959 have the shut off valve (not a petcock back then) in the front left side of the tank.
Like I said, HD likes to move them around.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
My petcock is forward of middle. Later of the same models are to the rear. It depends on the model and year of the bike.
Until '90, the bikes had a butterfly carb with fuel inlet and choke on the forward, and cables on the rear.
CV40 in '90-up, the cables are on the forward, fuel inlet and choke on the rear plus the carb is a LOT taller so tanks got redesigned... plus horn mounts and all that.
Until '90, the bikes had a butterfly carb with fuel inlet and choke on the forward, and cables on the rear.
CV40 in '90-up, the cables are on the forward, fuel inlet and choke on the rear plus the carb is a LOT taller so tanks got redesigned... plus horn mounts and all that.
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Long Island, New York
Did I mention my 1991 Sportster has the petcock on the right side, very inconvenient especially when trying to keep the bike running while attempting to switch to reserve. Of course that would be on the first test ride after tank lift and not realizing the reduced capacity. Pushed the bike 1 mile that day to a gas station.