Fuel Taps

[Brian]

About three years ago I replaced all the taps on my bikes with unleaded/ethanol suitable ones, the chrome lever type. Well that didnt work, after about 18 months or so they all buggered up. The usual problem of the rubber inserts swelling up blocking the fuel flow.

Fuel taps are a pet hate of mine, I dont give a rats backside about originality I just want taps that work and dont leak. My Guzzi's have BAP type taps and one of them I have had for 25 years and the taps on it dont leak and are as easy to turn on and off as the day they were new.

So two years ago I put a set of BAP style taps on my A10, they are Italian made Paioli taps and they are perfect, easy to turn on and off and dont leak and no sign of any deterioration of the rubber. I have just fitted another set to my B33.

So I recommend these taps, they seem to be able to withstand at least unleaded fuel, dont leak and are easy to operate. If anyone is looking for taps give them a try.

[lawnmowerman]

If you are not too bothered about looks then go for the taps used for heating oil. They are normally 1/4" BSP male one end and male or female the other end. The tap levers are black with a yellow insert. Female to female do not seem to be available so you may need some bushes which are readily available.

These taps have to meet high standards for use on heating systems and sadly, taps manufactured for classic motorcycles do not seem to have to meet the same high standards.

I have these fitted for petrol and oil on a few of my bikes and they are just "fit and forget".

I am also experimenting with the brass taper cocks which look a bit more period - so far they are performing well and there is an option to lap them in again with some grinding paste if they do leak over time.

Jim

[Butch (cb)]

I had exactly that problem with the lever types, which I’d fitted after previous problems with the plunger/cork types. The (lever type) taps passed less and less fuel until I had to get home from the pub one float bowl full at a time; fortunately it was only a few miles out. I replaced one with an all brass (taper type) item, and ran a drill through the other (???) which opened it up but somehow left it able to seal when switched off.

My two modern Guzzis (err – an ’80 and an ’81) run Bap taps and have been fine throughout.

Note – I run all my bikes on high octane which is supposed to be no/low ethanol.

[muskrat]

I'll second the BAP taps. Had a pair sitting in one of my old tanks for many years. The lever type on the cafe started leaking so grabbed the BAP's and threw them straight on. All good.
Cheers

[Triton Thrasher]

Lawnmower man has the right idea.

Those nylon spherical valves never leak and they flow plenty.

This one’s £9.50 on Ebay.

[lawnmowerman]

Lawnmower man has the right idea.

Those nylon spherical valves never leak and they flow plenty.

This one’s £9.50 on Ebay.

Yes they are the jobbies I have - you can colour in the yellow bit with a black felt tip.

Jim

[Peter in Aus]

About three years ago I replaced all the taps on my bikes with unleaded/ethanol suitable ones, the chrome lever type. Well that didnt work, after about 18 months or so they all buggered up. The usual problem of the rubber inserts swelling up blocking the fuel flow.

Fuel taps are a pet hate of mine, I dont give a rats backside about originality I just want taps that work and dont leak. My Guzzi's have BAP type taps and one of them I have had for 25 years and the taps on it dont leak and are as easy to turn on and off as the day they were new.

So two years ago I put a set of BAP style taps on my A10, they are Italian made Paioli taps and they are perfect, easy to turn on and off and dont leak and no sign of any deterioration of the rubber. I have just fitted another set to my B33.

So I recommend these taps, they seem to be able to withstand at least unleaded fuel, dont leak and are easy to operate. If anyone is looking for taps give them a try.

I used these taps on both my bikes with no problems, apart from one! there was a slight leak from around the backing nut where it screws into the tank, so I tried tightening it a bit and it snapped off! there I was standing there with my finger over the hole (like the boy at the dike) with a near full tank of fuel and no one around! fortunately my neighbour came to the rescue with a bucket.
The ones I have got are made out of die-cast and are quite week, they will snap off easily. I got mine from Draganfly so may be a cheep copy of BAP taps?
Peter

[Brian]

These are the ones I use, they are genuine Paioli, made in Italy.

http://www.bmhstore.bmh.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=136_137&products_id=954


I use some loctite hydraulic sealer on the thread and a fibre washer.

[muskrat]

Ditto ^^^^^
Cheers

[Peter in Aus]

These are the ones I use, they are genuine Paioli, made in Italy.

http://www.bmhstore.bmh.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=136_137&products_id=954


I use some loctite hydraulic sealer on the thread and a fibre washer.

Are the Italy one made of die-cast or something else a bit stronger? It worries me if I came of the bike the taps I'v got would snap off for sure causing a real fire hazed!   

[JulianS]

I use these UK made lever taps with brass body and brass taper cock. There is also an O ring which fits in the groove seen in the taper cock. Fitted about 3 years ago no leaks. First 2 photos.

There is another type of lever tap, which are a lot chealer to buy, with screw on filter, which uses a cylindrical viton type seal, which are the ones which give trouble - the holes in the seal dont quite match the tap body, the drillings in the tap dont appear to have been deburred and the body is made of an unidentified alloy. Last photo.

[Topdad]

I got mine ,after getting fed up with the original cork taps ,from Paul Goff about 5 yrs ago and they are still excellent .

[BVSR]

I am very satisfied to BAP type taps too.

[RayC10]

So...the conclusion....we all like baps :)

[Greybeard]

If an explanation is required...