Gravity Feed Carbs: Should I Change The Petcock?

so im not going to put my fuel pump back in. my katana ran fine without a pump, so i think it shouldnt be a problem to not have one on my vfr.

BUT the katana ALSO had a vaccum petcock that was easily accessible whereas the one on the vfr isnt acessible and is just an on/off switch.

any ideas on what petcock i could get that would bolt on and have a vaccum fitting on it?

any ideas?

flyguyeddy, Apr 24 2009, 10:32 AMany ideas?

Superhawk has a vacuum op. petcock and IIRC has the same mounting design. I have some pics of it I can send you later for comparison.

I've no experience but have read that the pump ensures pulling the full fuel tank capacity so you might expect somewhat less range. Dunno'.

I've seen people run their VFRs without a fuel pump. They can't run the last gallon or so out of the tank, so it reduces the range, gotta keep it topped up. Also, if you have a gravity incident and the bike ends up on its side, air can get in the lines and it will be difficult to start. Other than that I expect it will work fine for you.

I actually went the other way with my Yamaha TDM - installed an electric fuel pump where it didn't have one before. I am quite pleased with the results. The thing that was driving me crazy, was that when the bike went to reserve, it would stall out and then it wouldn't start again until I sat on the side of the road for ten minutes or so. Probably similar to what happens when the bike ends up on its side - air in the lines. I have also found that it's easier to start it up when the float bowls are empty, with the fuel pump there to fill them back up.

Buy a used pump its an uphill run to the carbs I tried it already. Did not work for me and you can forget about trying to get it too wheelie... Honda is not known for putting parts in that don't belong on vfr's.

I hear any 83 civic carb version fuel pump works great. And fit is near perfect for many honda V4's

ej90vfr, May 8 2009, 01:59 AMBuy a used pump its an uphill run to the carbs I tried it already. Did not work for me and you can forget about trying to get it too wheelie... Honda is not known for putting parts in that don't belong on vfr's.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

If you search at google you will find lots of RC30's (VFR750R ; the superbike version of the VFR750F) doing a wheelie...
They do NOT have a fuel pump. Carbs are also CV type, just a little bit bigger and the RC30 is more thirsty.

Only when the fuel tank is almost empty you will notice a difference between a bike with or without fuel pump.

vfroem, May 8 2009, 10:34 AM

ej90vfr, May 8 2009, 01:59 AMBuy a used pump its an uphill run to the carbs I tried it already. Did not work for me and you can forget about trying to get it too wheelie... Honda is not known for putting parts in that don't belong on vfr's.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

If you search at google you will find lots of RC30's (VFR750R ; the superbike version of the VFR750F) doing a wheelie...
They do NOT have a fuel pump. Carbs are also CV type, just a little bit bigger and the RC30 is more thirsty.

Only when the fuel tank is almost empty you will notice a difference between a bike with or without fuel pump.

lol leave it to "the man" to put down naysayers

elizilla, Apr 24 2009, 12:06 PMI've seen people run their VFRs without a fuel pump. They can't run the last gallon or so out of the tank, so it reduces the range, gotta keep it topped up. Also, if you have a gravity incident and the bike ends up on its side, air can get in the lines and it will be difficult to start. Other than that I expect it will work fine for you.

I actually went the other way with my Yamaha TDM - installed an electric fuel pump where it didn't have one before. I am quite pleased with the results. The thing that was driving me crazy, was that when the bike went to reserve, it would stall out and then it wouldn't start again until I sat on the side of the road for ten minutes or so. Probably similar to what happens when the bike ends up on its side - air in the lines. I have also found that it's easier to start it up when the float bowls are empty, with the fuel pump there to fill them back up.

supers sorry for the thread-jack, but hey E- can you PM me with your thoughts on yer TDM? I think I want one. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.........