Topic: Slow gas flow--petcock questions

[50words]

I did some searching, but this problem doesn't seem to have been addressed before. Or I missed it, in which case I apologize for the repeat.

I just got a new seat and repainted my tailpiece and gas tank. Just a bad rattlecan job to cover the places where paint had peeled, nothing special.

I probably was a little rough on the petcock during the sanding and painting. I wasn't particularly careful about settng it on the petcock, etcetera. When I finally put the tank back on and made ready to fire it up, the petcock felt like there was sand in it when I turned it to 'on.' And once it was on, the bike ran rough, like it does when it is running out of gas. Something finally clicked when I drained the carbs just to see what the gas looked like. It was clear, but there was very little that drained. So I checked the petcock. Flow was very low out of main and reserve.

So I figure I need to pull the petcock to clean it. The grainy feel makes me thing I need to do more than just run carb cleaner through it. Should I take it apart and soak the bits? Will I need a petcock rebuild kit? It has never leaked so far as I know.

Finally, should I be worried about rust in the tank? It could be that I just got dirt in there from where I set it while sanding, or sanding dust, but I suppose it could be something else.

Thanks in advance.

[Buffo]

you may have freed crud that was in or attached to your tank while moving it around. I would just take it off and carb cleaner in a can it while twisting ther valve open and closed. then clean out your tank, which can be a pain in the ass...you can use a water hose...just make sure you dry that puppy as fast as you can. there are a lot of gas tank cleaning methods.

I like to do things once so I usually go a little overboard. while your tank is off and needs a cleaning anyway you should think about POR15-ing your tank. POR 15 is hands down the BEST!!!

you may want to rebuild your petcock anyway...how old are those o-rings....

Don