Cheap manual fuel tap - 44.26mm hole centers

[tkent02]

Apparently there is a KTM petcock that has the right hole spacing. I know a big KTM flows enough fuel.

[jbthomp]

With the adapter plate the OP linked to in his first post you can use any Petcock you want. You could even put a hose barb in it and use an inline Petcock if you feel the need. The way I see it is the simpler the setup the less likely it is to fail. At least with a manual Petcock I will know for sure my gas tank won't empty itself into my crankcase overnight. I just use an inline Petcock that they sell at Lowe's for the tractors and such. It flows more than enough fuel for my 550 and is about as reliable as it gets. I think it's more of a personal preference than anything. What works for me may not work for you.......

[Grimly]

Apparently there is a KTM petcock that has the right hole spacing. I know a big KTM flows enough fuel.

X-referencing the Pingel listings, it seems the KTM adapter plates are all for 34mm bolt spacings, but their list isn't exhaustive; indeed, has huge gaps with many common bikes not on it.
I found the XJ700 and XJ900 both use 44mm bolt spacings, but manual cocks for them are just as scarce as for the GSs. Not quite as scarce actually; you can buy a Yamaha-approved aftermarket manual cock for $94. Whoopee doo.

[wymple]

I won't pay the rip-off price for an OEM petcock that I still won't trust. I have a twist valve between the petcock and carbs just to be safe anyway.

[JTGS850GL]

New OEM petcocks don't usually have a problem. 30+ year old ones do.

[Grimly]

Further delving has revealed that manual petcocks are available for the early XS650 (XS1, XS2) and the XS500, which have 42mm bolt spacing and it looks possible the normal jiggling tolerances might allow them to fit with a touch of a rat-tail file. However, a direct fit has proven to be the XS650 Custom/Special of 1978-84, according to one poster on the KZ650 forum (the KZ650 B1 1978 uses the same spacing) who owns both bikes.
As far as I can measure from the side on my tank, the XS650C/S uses about a 45mm spacing, so should fit with no jiggling, the hole diameter allowing a straight fit.
I'm going to pick one of these up in the next few weeks and see how it goes. Cheap enough to find out. It won't go to waste, as my own 650C/S is needing a manual tap anyway.

[Carter Turk]

I looked at the first post didn't see which bike you were trying to find an adapter plate for, but the amount of research you've done in time, probably has paid for 3 manual Pingel petcocks, if they have the spacing your looking for. I've had one on my Kat since 1996, has reserve and served me well.

However, recently the gasket between the plate, ( I think I had to make one) started leaking. I pulled the petcock, and the screen was totally clean, even though I've never done any thing to the inside of the tank. The paint surface where the plate mounts to was uneven and flaking. Made a new gasket used Threebond 1211, and is leak free again.

Have a stock petcock on my wife's 1150, with no issues since we've owned it (1998).

[tkent02]

Further delving has revealed that manual petcocks are available for the early XS650 (XS1, XS2) and the XS500, which have 42mm bolt spacing and it looks possible the normal jiggling tolerances might allow them to fit with a touch of a rat-tail file. However, a direct fit has proven to be the XS650 Custom/Special of 1978-84, according to one poster on the KZ650 forum (the KZ650 B1 1978 uses the same spacing) who owns both bikes.
As far as I can measure from the side on my tank, the XS650C/S uses about a 45mm spacing, so should fit with no jiggling, the hole diameter allowing a straight fit.
I'm going to pick one of these up in the next few weeks and see how it goes. Cheap enough to find out. It won't go to waste, as my own 650C/S is needing a manual tap anyway.

Excellent, let us know.