Joined
·
414 Posts
Draining a non vacuum tank via the petcock is easy but, how does a person drain the newer model year petcocks that have the vacuum system?
Tank Draining. Vacuum Petcock. How?
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Joined
·
144 Posts
Put a hand powered vacuum pump on the vacuum hose or put some air pressure (a couple of pounds)on the vent hose that hangs out under the bike. You could also just put a funnel and bucket under the petcock and unscrew it from the tank.
Joined
·
756 Posts
I used a syringe - the vacuum hose fit to the syringe nipple and this gave all the vacuum needed. That was Easy!
Joined
·
13,452 Posts
Well the question is why are you draining it but i am from the funnel and bucket camp. Makes a 5-10 minute job into seconds.
Joined
·
414 Posts
My reasoning is this. I store my bikes year round up in my barn. Seems that the snow came a bit early this year and appears that it's going to stay. The fuel in the custom tanks were already close to three weeks old due to that most of my riding was on the Deluxe. The ramp to the hayloft is too slick for me to safely take em out to burn up the old fuel so they can be topped off with fresh stuff for the winter duration. So I want to get out the old stuff and replace it with new, add the sea foam, run em till it works it's way in, drain the bowls, cover them up and kiss them goodnight for the rest of season. I really was planning to do a bit of Dec. riding but it looks like it ain't gonna happen. I love winter but hate not being able to ride. I didn't want them to sit with half good and half bad fuel till spring . Anyway that was my thought. The 5 to 10 minute job does make a lot of sense if I can do it without giving myself and the engine a gas bath. Thanks guys.
I'm kinda with stich on this as far as draining the tank. I'm so messy, I'd do it oustside and just be ready to "clean up"
I'm not sure I would bother with refilling it as I would probably put it up in a dry warm place not even mounted on the bike. Just spritz the carbs, after run oil the top end, remove the battery, and put her to bed.
Luckily... I don't have too many non riding days due to cold weather and snow. Unfortunately... I get too many non riding days beacuse of "surface of the sun" temps
![]()
I've never had to store a bike here.
I'm not sure I would bother with refilling it as I would probably put it up in a dry warm place not even mounted on the bike. Just spritz the carbs, after run oil the top end, remove the battery, and put her to bed.
Luckily... I don't have too many non riding days due to cold weather and snow. Unfortunately... I get too many non riding days beacuse of "surface of the sun" temps
I've never had to store a bike here.
Joined
·
2,487 Posts
I've thought about this for a long time and due to the rusting potential of the tank I'd do the following.
So long as you've still got a bit to drain I'd add a few ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil or even plain motor oil to what's in there. Take the tank off, agitate the heck out of it to get the oil in all the corners then drain it.
So long as you've still got a bit to drain I'd add a few ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil or even plain motor oil to what's in there. Take the tank off, agitate the heck out of it to get the oil in all the corners then drain it.
Joined
·
849 Posts
Good ideas above....
Here's what I do and have recently done since I've had my engine out for about 2 months working on it and waiting for parts:
Simply set the petcock to "reserve" so you are getting all the gas out including from the bottom of the tank.....then simply suck on the hose still connected to the petcock that normally connects to the r/h carb on the other end (suck it just like a straw) you'll see gas flow out and when it's empty simply refill with FRESH gas and a 1/4 cup of "Seafoam".
Then maybe run the bike for a few minutes to get the fresh/seafoamed gas thru the carbs and shut her down for the winter. Your gas will be JUST FINE until spring and you won't have to have a completely empty tank sitting around inviting rust etc.
Just my 2 pennieth (to quote the Shepster)
![]()
Here's what I do and have recently done since I've had my engine out for about 2 months working on it and waiting for parts:
Simply set the petcock to "reserve" so you are getting all the gas out including from the bottom of the tank.....then simply suck on the hose still connected to the petcock that normally connects to the r/h carb on the other end (suck it just like a straw) you'll see gas flow out and when it's empty simply refill with FRESH gas and a 1/4 cup of "Seafoam".
Then maybe run the bike for a few minutes to get the fresh/seafoamed gas thru the carbs and shut her down for the winter. Your gas will be JUST FINE until spring and you won't have to have a completely empty tank sitting around inviting rust etc.
Just my 2 pennieth (to quote the Shepster)
Joined
·
849 Posts
Actually once you get the suction going it kind of keeps going by itself like a cyphon and it only took 5 minutes.....of course my tank was only about 1/2 full.
Joined
·
1,158 Posts
Never had a bike to wrench on or learn how to wrench on it. Asked a similiar question over the summer and listened to Stitch. Took the tank off the bike, walked it over to where I had made my little draining setup, and unscrewed the petcock. No big mess to speak of, and it worked like a charm!
![]()
Joined
·
38 Posts
Never had a bike to wrench on or learn how to wrench on it. Asked a similiar question over the summer and listened to Stitch. Took the tank off the bike, walked it over to where I had made my little draining setup, and unscrewed the petcock. No big mess to speak of, and it worked like a charm!
![]()
Dakota,
That is a 5 Gallon bucket and it is nearly FULL! What did you do with all that gas?
Regards,
Joined
·
13,452 Posts
That's a lot of gas for the lawnmower.
Joined
·
1,158 Posts
Troy used almost all of it for the lawnmower etc..... but I'll admit I had a decent fire that week. It was fresh gas and while getting ready for fresh paint I found out I had a hole in the underside of the tank near the top- my car was full and his truck is a diesel so it went into cans and the lawnmower.
Joined
·
849 Posts
Gas in that bucket looks orange......had you just recently tried to "line" the inside of your tank and it wasn't quite dry yet or is it just the lighting making it look orange ?
Just wondering cuz I had an "orange gas syndrome" thread a couple yrs ago on the old forum.....
Just curious
Just wondering cuz I had an "orange gas syndrome" thread a couple yrs ago on the old forum.....
Just curious
Joined
·
1,158 Posts
Nope, hadn't done anything to the tank yet as far as that goes- part of the reason I had to drain the tank was I found out there was a leak. We ended up sealing AND welding the tank. It's a pink bucket in the late afternoon sun, so I think that must've been why because I can remember looking at it and just being amazed at how easy it was, not that the gas looked odd.
Joined
·
13,452 Posts
It's a breast cancer search for a cure bucket.
Joined
·
414 Posts
The syringe in the vacuum line worked perfectly. All the ideas were good but I gotta say special thanks to PhotoDoc. No mess. No straw sucking. Just dribble dribble done. Now the old allis chalmers has some more to drink. Think I'll go have a beer. Thanks again guys.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
