Should Fuel Petcock be Closed?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 2,650
From: Milwaukee, WI
That muscle memory was hard to overcome, too...
I sold my '89 Heritage (carb) and got my first EFI bike. I was constantly reaching down for the fuel petcock every time I started or shut off that EFI bike. I'll bet I did that for at least 2-3 months before I "learned" it wasn't necessary..
I sold my '89 Heritage (carb) and got my first EFI bike. I was constantly reaching down for the fuel petcock every time I started or shut off that EFI bike. I'll bet I did that for at least 2-3 months before I "learned" it wasn't necessary..
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 480
Likes: 321
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
Yep, mussle memory works both ways. I ride a '66 with the petcock, and '21 without. Summer on the Shovel, and winter on the M8.
Sometimes on the Shovel I'll get about 50 yards, and the engine quits, I immediately know I didn't turn the petcock on. Probably a good anti-theft device.
Another difference is the shift patern, the Shovel has a reverse shift pattern, 1U3D. On both bikes I've been at stoplights where my foot automatically decides to "make sure I'm in first", and put me in high gear. Light turns green, and I stall out, feeling real stupid.
Sometimes on the Shovel I'll get about 50 yards, and the engine quits, I immediately know I didn't turn the petcock on. Probably a good anti-theft device.
Another difference is the shift patern, the Shovel has a reverse shift pattern, 1U3D. On both bikes I've been at stoplights where my foot automatically decides to "make sure I'm in first", and put me in high gear. Light turns green, and I stall out, feeling real stupid.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 980
Likes: 1,368
From: South of Heaven
He wasn't new to bikes so it probably was the beer
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 138
Likes: 69
From: 21014
Yep, mussle memory works both ways. I ride a '66 with the petcock, and '21 without. Summer on the Shovel, and winter on the M8.
Sometimes on the Shovel I'll get about 50 yards, and the engine quits, I immediately know I didn't turn the petcock on. Probably a good anti-theft device.
Another difference is the shift patern, the Shovel has a reverse shift pattern, 1U3D. On both bikes I've been at stoplights where my foot automatically decides to "make sure I'm in first", and put me in high gear. Light turns green, and I stall out, feeling real stupid.
Sometimes on the Shovel I'll get about 50 yards, and the engine quits, I immediately know I didn't turn the petcock on. Probably a good anti-theft device.
Another difference is the shift patern, the Shovel has a reverse shift pattern, 1U3D. On both bikes I've been at stoplights where my foot automatically decides to "make sure I'm in first", and put me in high gear. Light turns green, and I stall out, feeling real stupid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,821
Likes: 7,455
From: OH
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
Faulty shutoff petcock leaks gas
I've heard of it happening, and it could lead to disaster, but in 50 years and more bikes than I should have owned, many of them equipped with petcocks...never had one leak. The manual says to do it everytime you shut off the engine. Technically, that's true. I definitely shut them off if I wasn't going to ride for a couple of days, or during long spells like the winter months. But more often than not, I have left it on overnight, with no leakage. I maintain my things and my bikes were fairly modern, in good condition, so that may have helped. On an old bike with questionable carburetor, or other issues, yes, shut it everytime.
Over 2 weeks without running? Yes, I agree -shut it to "off". Every stop during a ride ? No, I wouldn't... as long as theres vacuum and valve, and diaphragm is good, it should be fine.
Over 2 weeks without running? Yes, I agree -shut it to "off". Every stop during a ride ? No, I wouldn't... as long as theres vacuum and valve, and diaphragm is good, it should be fine.
Last edited by Hathaway; Aug 16, 2025 at 04:38 PM.