Total Motorcycle Community Forums

If I did not turn the peacok to "Off" my 79 Honda CB750K would leave a little puddle of motorcycle pee (gas) under it. Because of that I always turned it off. The issue was part a safety issue since the puddle would be under the motorcycle and on top of the transmission, and part wasting gas/polluting issue.

Could have been an easy fix but I never wanted to spend the time or energy to do it

My 1982 Guzzi had twin fuel taps and if they were left on my dual carbs filled flooded and spilled all over. It just became a habit to turn them on when you got on the bike.

I don't think I've ever turned my petcock to off... except for when I park it for the winter, we'll see how that goes over when I try to start it up in a week or two.

Based on the advice of some forum members last year I started turning my petcock off. Then I drove of several times with it off, and wondered why the bike died a few feet down the road...

I'm not sure if it really helps in an newer bike, but it's a tiny thing that takes a few times to get used to and can't hurt so I do it.

The best part is at a light to pull up next to a buddy lean over like you're adjusting something and turn their petcock off.

If I'm out puttin' around and make several stops I don't bother to turn it off . When I am done for the day , I turn it off when I park . I no longer forget to turn it back on .
Regards, Wizzard

I was taught in the MSF course to turn it off if I wasn't riding, the exception being bikes (like my ZRX) that don't have an off position. In my bikes case the on position only works if there is vacuum from the engine, so essentially it is off position when the bike is off. If you have an off position, I say use it. It will also make it a real problem for a thief who doesn't know about that fact.