Fuel Petcock on Titan/Sidewinder

[Titan98]

First of all, Let me explain that I'm new to V-twin bikes and basically an idiot when it comes to working on one. I have a 1998 Titan/Sidewinder. That I noticed about 2 months ago I had a small fuel leak at the petcock only when it was in the "open" or "Reserve" position. I rode to a shop about 3 miles away and after getting there the leak had gone away. A couple months later, out of nowhere, my bike started trying to die on me while riding and backfiring. Then shut down on me, after draining my fuel and putting fresh fuel in, which I don't believe the fuel was the problem, I rode about 2 miles and the same thing started happening again. I got it running by switching to reserve but it still tried to die and backfired the whole way home. A friend seems to think my fuel petcock is bad or the fuel line running to the carb. I don't even know what type of petcock it is? Straight? Vaccum? I would appreciate any advice on the subject or where to start. I can get nothing from Titan, of course. Thanks to all who can shed any light on this matter for me...

[Dave63]

Can you post a pic?

Most of those I *believe* used Pingle high flow petcocks. Parts are available for those, as are replacements.

A vacuum petcock will have a vacuum line running to it, however, most petcocks thaty are older, (like yours) will have a rubber "disc" inside, behind the selector lever, and the rubber degrabes and starts to fail.

The rubber gets bunched up once, and turning the lever pulls it enough to tear it, or cause a leak. When it stopped leaking, is when the rubber slipped back in place.

You can take it apart and look at it, but if you do, be prepared to have to rebuild it or replace it if it's torn.

The size of the threaded bung that comes off the tank is what you need to know and you can order a universal petcock from places like JPCycle.com.

[Titan98]

I'll get a pic on here today. I'm at the firehouse so it might take a minute. Thanks for your reply. This looks like a great site..

[Titan98]

Here is a pic of the bike. My wife is going to get me a close up of the petcock when she gets off. I'll try to get it on here tonight.

[gruss]

Originally Posted by Titan98

My wife is going to get me a close up of the petcock when she gets off.

ah, to be young again !
this thread could go south really fast!

just funnin with ya titan!

g

[Titan98]

yeah yeah, I've been gettin messed with all day because I've been saying "petcock" at the firehouse... I can take it...

[gruss]

good man!
we gotta laugh to keep from cryin!
g

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Titan98

yeah yeah, I've been gettin messed with all day because I've been saying "petcock" at the firehouse... I can take it...

Yeah......don't say that outloud.

I can see enough of the petcock in the pic to tell you, It's a Pingle. No vacuum. Straight fuel delivery.

[gruss]

lol !!!!
g

[gruss]

by the way titan, thats a good lookin scoot ya got there!
g