Topic: Opinions Wanted: Fuel Overflow Inevitable?

[crazypj]

Back in their day, these Hondas did not leak when parked, and were especially noted for this trait. They were, of course, being measured against Harleys and British bikes, for the most part, as that was the whole crop back then.
Even BMWs leaked often then.

But, the 750 and 500 did not.


I use the petcock regularly, both to keep it working and to preclude another unique problem found here at high altitude: sudden wide barometric changes. Here, the mercury can swing from 29.9 inches (a normal HIGH pressure day here) to 27.0 and back again in an hour.

 When they didn't leak it was oil leaks and compared to Torry Canyon bikes at the time (Exxon Valdez for younger readers  )
I think he said it only happened when bike was on side stand?
 I seem to remember the CB500 and CB750 building a little 'tear' or two when on side stand , usually didn't drip until bike was moved upright. Never knew them leak fuel if on main stand though.
 I remember the R series BMW's with 'beige'/Khaki carbs well, really didn't fit the image BMW riders wanted 
PJ

[bradweingartner]

I think hondaman brought up a good point about the petcock, whether he knows it or not.

It's important to plan for the unforseen. Just because you've gotten your bike not to leak, doesn't mean it would be a good idea to stop using the petcock. My carbs don't leak in general anymore, sidestand or not. But ONCE in a while, they can and will. Just bum luck perhaps, change in the weather, just a little peice of dirt... Who knows.

But this sort of thing is akin to using the parking brake on a car. The manual clearly states you should use it every time you park. Yet, 99% of the people I know don't use the bloody thing. Autmatic or manual. Sure, I would love the convenience of not having to use my petcock, or using my parking brake. But I do.

Not because my car rolls away every time I park it, but because it COULD roll away. Just one extra step in my shut-down procedure... Sound familiar?

[andy750]

Not because my car rolls away every time I park it, but because it COULD roll away. Just one extra step in my shut-down procedure... Sound familiar?

I use the parking brake in my manual car every time I park AND put it into first gear just in case the 13 year old parking brake should fail. And yes I turn off my petcock on my non-leaking K4 carbs every time I park as well.

cheers
Andy

[Gordon]

I use the parking brake in my manual car every time I park AND put it into first gear just in case the 13 year old parking brake should fail.

Of course you do in a car with manual transmission, but what about in an automatic?  I'm just asking because even though I only owned manual trans cars for the first 15 years of my driving life and always had to set the parking brake, now that I drive an automatic I never use the parking brake unless I'm parked on a hill.  I know I should use it all the time, just in case, but for some reason I don't.

[CBGhia]

I have always had a manual trans in my car, but last year I bought an automatic.  I am so used to grabbing the parking brake that I do it in the new car too.  It is just habit. 

[kghost]

Well....

Mine don't leak....generally.

They will leak slightly if I push them in the garage and leave them.

But the garage gets mighty hot in the summer. Gas expands.....

[crazypj]

Well....

Mine don't leak....generally.

 
PJ

[jmckinne]

UPDATE

A day after Hondaman suggested polishing the float pivot area and the brass float arms I went ahead and did it. It was a zero cost fix and only took about 45 minutes to do all 4. I did not reset my float levels.

In the ~2 weeks since I haven't had any leaks. I would definately have had them before. I leaked at least every other day before. We have had some wide temperature swings here so any temperature induced effects would have shown up too.

Thanks HondaMan!

During the same wrenching session I stopped all my oil leaks too, without using any new gaskets or seals. The bad news was that I'd already bought a new gasket set and had it shipped to me for a cool $100

When if the bike leaks fuel again I'll revive this thread.

[andy750]

Well done! And good update and outcome.

How did you stop all your other oil leaks?
cheers
Andy

[HondaMan]

UPDATE

A day after Hondaman suggested polishing the float pivot area and the brass float arms I went ahead and did it. It was a zero cost fix and only took about 45 minutes to do all 4. I did not reset my float levels.

In the ~2 weeks since I haven't had any leaks. I would definately have had them before. I leaked at least every other day before. We have had some wide temperature swings here so any temperature induced effects would have shown up too.

Thanks HondaMan!

During the same wrenching session I stopped all my oil leaks too, without using any new gaskets or seals. The bad news was that I'd already bought a new gasket set and had it shipped to me for a cool $100

When if the bike leaks fuel again I'll revive this thread.

At least, it will make it safer when smokers walk by. Not as big a risk as in the '60s, now, but still there!

Ride safe.

[jmckinne]

andy-

Near the end of my long post in this thread I describe the oil leak fixes...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36651.75