Topic: Which petcock for this tank?

[thunderzy]

I need a petcock for my '75 cb550. I have read that there are two types of petcocks. I dont know which one I need. Here are a few pics of the underside of my tank. Someone please tell me what I need.

Thank you
Zack

[IndyFour]

You need this one....

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1971-honda-motorcycle-cb500-fuel-tank-fuel-valve/o/m9140sch393508

Your bike is like mine.  Either the tank is older than the bike, or it was left over from an earlier model when it was built or something.  The later petcocks had just a single stem that screwed into a single hole in the bottom of the tank.  On ours, the petcock is held against the bottom of the tank (sealed by an o-ring) by two screws and washers inside the sediment bowl.  The reserve tube sticks up into the tank through the center hole in the tank.

In your pic, it looks like the holes are plugged.  You'll need to clear the holes and make sure the threads on the outside two holes are o.k.

[thunderzy]

Thanks for the reply. Any idea why the former owner would plug the other holes? What can I clear the holes with?

Thank you for the info and link.
Zack

[IndyFour]

It's hard to say.  Maybe they didn't want to bother replacing the petcock with the correct one and rigged it somehow?  Not sure how to get the holes cleared....probably depends on what was used to close them up.

[thunderzy]

well i ordered the part you linked me to. Hopefully I can figure out how to install it.

[ekpent]

Is it just me or does that Petcock spot look like a Crime Scene    

[BeSeeingYou]

Is it just me or does that Petcock spot look like a Crime Scene    

You didn't buy that bike off a guy named  Joran van der Sloot did you?

[thunderzy]

hahahaa! No. it just needs so be cleaned up.

[thunderzy]

I cleaned up the petcock tank area. Ordered and received the petcock, along with 2 screws, and 2 washers. I'm little confused as to where the washers go. Probably a stupid question. Do they go on the inside of the petcock or on the tank side?

[IndyFour]

The petcock mounts to the tank with the little handle facing out.  The o-ring seals it to the tank.  To do this, remove the sediment bowl and screen.  The washers go onto the screws first and then the screws go up through the petcock and into the tank threads.  Did that help?

[thunderzy]

THANK YOU!!! That is a huge help. I didn't want to install it everything and then take it apart. I prefer to ask first. Thanks again.

Zack

[rangelov]

Be sure to paint or coat the tank where you cleaned it.  Rust will happen there otherwise.