Fuel tap trouble

[Stretch]

I've got an issue with both fuel taps as they have cracks in them maybe where there been over tighten before hand and leaking fuel, this is the taps it uses, do you know of any other modified taps that are out there? Or another way around replacing these?

[BSA_54A10]

They are not leaking from he cracks, they are leaking from the corks.
If they are old and have not been used for a while the corks dry out and go hard.
Plop them in boiling water turned off for 1/2 hour.

When refitting tighten the ends slightly to compress the wet  and soft corks.
If that does not work, find a good red with a cork seal drink the re.
Next day retrieve the cork and cut a new pair.

It must be a solid lump of cork, not ground cork glued together as in a floor tile or champain cork.

[Rocket Racer]

Lots of tap options!
Most taps use BSP threads so largely interchangeable.
Those taps you have are easy to dismantle and if the corks are beyond boiling are available.
If you're not concerned by looks modern taps are readily available and dont have corks that dry out and leak
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Bsp-Chrome-Brass-Ball-Valve-Tap-Male-to-Female-Thread-Air-Compressor-Hose-/361287278587
Really the choices are vast depending on you sense of asthetics and originality

[Stretch]

I bought corks but when I split the taps both had cracks in them so I need to replace the taps

[Rocket Racer]

I bought corks but when I split the taps both had cracks in them so I need to replace the taps

If the bodies have split your into either listing via the wanted / for sales, to get some 2nd hand from members or to try dealers/flea bay for a new set.
Easy enough to find whatever fuels your carb...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BSA-TRIUMPH-NORTON-AJS-PETROL-FUEL-TAP-1-8-x-1-4-NEW-/222006922833?hash=item33b0a4ce51:m:mwYfknYT2GFeqsy7VdYwsag

[terryg]

While many suppliers are out there you might ring that http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffypetroltaps.htm provides some useful information and opportunities - if only for comparison purposes.

No connection to Paul Goff other than as an occasional customer.

[terryg]

Also worth a look - https://sites.google.com/site/priorymagnetos/accessories

Parts PMP425 and PMP426.

Priory Mags is run by beezermacc of this forum.

Again, no connection other than as a customer.

[duTch]

 

Again, no connection other than as a customer.

 ..and a fellow forum buddy...

[Topdad]

I fitted 2 taps from Paul Goff after becoming totally pizzed off with leaking fuel taps    , have been fitted now for coming up for the 4 season and still working great and a very reasonable price . as per just a contented customer, Bob

[Rocket Racer]

I'm not usually big on retaining standard taps, but for the super rocket I thought I'd try  as I had a pair... Was recommended to try some brown rubber seals in place of the cork and they are far too tight to be useful. One appears to have lost a chunk when fitted (catching the grooves?). Once fitted you need a screw driver to lever them back out 
So back to square one. Corks are comparatively cheap but not sure I care enough.
I'm running more modern taps on everything else so not sure I'll bother persevering with these 
Not a show stopper yet, still some other work before I worry too much but will have to make a decision sooner or later.
There is ethanol in much if not all NZ fuel

[chaterlea25]

hi RR,
Proper corks will work ok with E fuel
Those original type taps cost quite a few bucks now
my SR has been running with these for 14 or so years, one replacement cork was needed 3 years ago
after filling with fuel in Switzerland,
I tried the o ring alternative to cork on another bike but its a PITA as its so stiff

John

[Rocket Racer]

John,
 thanks your gentle nudge is probably enough to have me try a set of fresh corks before I consign them to "the shelf".

Tim

[KiwiGF]

And Tim you will find ptfe plumbers tape is your friend for getting the corks to seal.......just wind it around the cork retaining screw to make the cork a bit bigger in diameter  some people say soaking the corks in boiling water before fitting them works well, but I've not find that helps much, however they certainly can dry out if the tank is drained and they will leak then for sure, so soaking new corks in petrol before fitting will help prevent initial leaking until the petrol gets to them anyway.

My taps are pretty poor condition but work ok. I find it more of a challenge to stop the banjo washers leaking than the corks, also the washer between the tank and tap. I've ended up having to fiddle about with putting gasket goo on the banjo washers.....

Ps I thought only Gull supplied ethanol in their fuel

[worntorn]

I'm not usually big on retaining standard taps, but for the super rocket I thought I'd try  as I had a pair... Was recommended to try some brown rubber seals in place of the cork and they are far too tight to be useful. One appears to have lost a chunk when fitted (catching the grooves?). Once fitted you need a screw driver to lever them back out 
So back to square one. Corks are comparatively cheap but not sure I care enough.
I'm running more modern taps on everything else so not sure I'll bother persevering with these 
Not a show stopper yet, still some other work before I worry too much but will have to make a decision sooner or later.
There is ethanol in much if not all NZ fuel

I was in the same state with the SR taps but hadn't stuggled with the Ewarts for decades, choosing more modern types as you mention. I did try the Oring conversion on the SR Ewarts and had no luck with that. The taps  were stiff to operate and started leaking after a few usages.

I did some reading on the Ewarts and saw the kind of efforts people were putting forth and leakage they would tolerate just to keep using them.

I then realized I am not one of these people who must have originality at all costs.
After having burned up a Matchless G80 many years ago due to leaky Ewarts, I went for modern taps on the BSA. They are dry as a bone and look just fine on there, not terribly noticeable really.
Haven't given them a thought since, it's onto the oil leaks and fine tuning the engine.

Glen

[Kickaha]

I then realized I am not one of these people who must have originality at all costs.

Me neither, I fitted Pingel taps on mine to get rid of the stock leaky junk, I'll go for function over originality any day