Topic: CB400f - petcock pics (replace or rebuild)

[lohebohi]

One of our CB400f bikes has a leaky petcock.  We have disassembled it and inspected the innards.

I always thought there was a screen in there based upon rebuilt kits for different bike on eBay.  Did the CB400f not have a metal screen?

It appears that we have a flat rubber piece with slits in it.  The rubber piece appears to be completely worn out.  Could that be the cause of the leak? 

The O-ring appears to be in decent shape so I don't know if that was causing the leak.  Maybe it was.  We never had gas in the tank so we are basing the leak diagnosis from the previous owner and the dirtiness of the petcock.

Also when I was trying to remove the petcock I actually tighten it a little before I realized it was reverse threaded.  It moved about 30 degrees before I tried the other direction.  Once it was turned 30 degrees, it got really tight and would not turn anymore and the orientation was not correct; meaning the lever to turn gas on and off was tucked slightly under the seat.  The petcock could function at that orientation, but it would look funny and be a little hard to reach from the seated position.  Could the fact that I was able to tighten the petcock 30 degrees be the cause of the leak?  Is there a way to get the petcock tight and face the proper direction?

And finally should the entire unit be replaced or just the innards (I love that word)?

[lohebohi]

Another innard photo of everything.

[kghost]

Looks rebuildable to me.

I would replace all the rubber bits. The one with the slit looks homemade.

A new gasket under the petcock should fix the rotation issue and any leaks.

[realdeal001]

I don't think that's fixable.  I think you should just get another bike. 

[kghost]

Yeah RealDeal001, and sell you the old one?

[realdeal001]

No . . . i'm kinda partial to the Suzuki Savages . . . much better bike.

[kghost]

Savage? WTF?

Did you stumble onto this board by mistake?

You do realise what SOHC is right?

[realdeal001]

Of course I do . . . I'm from Baltimore

[Einyodeler]

No . . . i'm kinda partial to the Suzuki Savages . . . much better bike.

 


Yeah , looks real Savage to me

[dusterdude]

baltimore,that explains it

[kghost]

Baltimore? That explains it.

Savage? Must be a real wild man!

[dusterdude]

uh huh

[lohebohi]

Neil knock it off.  He is my friend and he is only kidding.  He is really fat and the Savage was the only bike that did not bottom out the springs.

[lohebohi]

In my group of friends we have;
Me - 75 CB400f
Marcus (my roommate) - 77 CB400f
Aimee (my gf) - 75 CB400f
Jeremy - 90 CB400f CB-1
Jason - XS650
Neil - 1987 Savage 650
Adam - XT350, CM185, works at lead engineer at http://www.zippersperformance.com/

[lohebohi]

When you say " I agree a new seal should fix the position on the tank."

You are talking about the round disc with the slits right?  If so I am guessing the new rubber gasket should have the proper thickness in order to get the petcock in the right position.  If mine is homemade, it could be not-thick-enough requiring a little extra turning to make it seal.  The previous owner probably chose proper petcock position over tight fit.

The local Honda dealership listed no parts for the petcock.  Only the entire assembly for $40.  We did not check any aftermarket parts catalogues though.  This isn't something universal that a service guy might be able to recommend a part from a different bike is it?