gas selection

[rowdy0452]

have a 1997 katana and was wondering which direction was which? i have it to the right or rear now and runs fine just wondering if this is correct.

[numus]

have a 1997 katana and was wondering which direction was which? i have it to the right or rear now and runs fine just wondering if this is correct.

http://katriders.com/wiki/index.php5?title=Petcock

Unless yours is backwards, you are on prime. You don't want to be on prime.

[rockat]

Yeah, that would be prime. And as long as your floats are working properly, you should be fine with it on prime. At least, that is how it is with post-98 kats.

[jmoles95]

If your floats arent ok then your gonna run into probs

[Tempted]

Like 3 gallons of gas in your crank case.

[ZukiFred]

Prime should only be used to prime the carbs, whether your floats are working properly or not you should never leave it on prime.

[rockat]

Prime should only be used to prime the carbs, whether your floats are working properly or not you should never leave it on prime.

Can you explain why one should never leave the petcock on prime?

[steves]

Prime allows fuel to flow past the petcock. If your float valves aren't working right, they will continue to let fuel flow. It's gotta go somewhere, so it normally ends up leaking into the carb body, down the intakes, and over the pistons.

[ZukiFred]

Prime allows fuel to flow past the petcock. If your float valves aren't working right, they will continue to let fuel flow. It's gotta go somewhere, so it normally ends up leaking into the carb body, down the intakes, and over the pistons.

Also if there is something as simple as a crack or hole in the fuel line the fuel will go everywhere and become a fire hazard.

[rockat]

I mean, assuming that the floats are working as they should. I don't leave my bike on prime just cause...but I wondered why one should never leave the petcock on prime. Is the explanation simply to avoid the potential for your bowls to become flooded?

[steves]

Yes. There are 2 lines of defense, one is the petcock and the second are the float valves.

With older bikes the petcocks had "on-off-prime" positions. Some folks still like the manual ones.

Also the floats are way more likely to fail then the petcock.

[rockat]

Got it. Merci