Petrol taps beware of cheap imitations

[jhg1958]

I bought a petrol tap from ebay for my A10. Today on the first real run with it fitted it started to leak. I got home and tightened the banjo nut only to find the casting fracture.  I have contacted the seller and it will be interesting to see his reply. I should have been wary as it was chrome plated hiding any casting defects. 

Next one I buy will be from Burton Bike Bits or TMS and not chrome plated.  What do other people use if they do not have the original tap?

John

 

[Rex]

BAP taps usually.

[Kickaha]

I use Pingel but I'm not concerned about originality

[muskrat]

G'day John.
I had almost exactly the same problem recently. Bought two BAP taps from a semi reputable (ebay) dealer in Sydney. The right (reserve) one fitted and tightened nicely. The main tap screwed into the tank but on nipping up the nut it snapped. After a lengthy debate with pics he sent me another.
Cheers

[jhg1958]

Pingel! Wow over 100 quid each! I am not worried about originality but that is a bit steep. Mind you  I found I needed 2 taps open to get up steep long hills! But the expense!

[morris]

Just bought two of these for the SA. Good quality, happy with them. Do watch out because they’re taper threaded so they don’t screw in all the way. Turned a stainless steel ring to hide the excess thread.
E-bay item 144998652920

[Brian]

I use the BAP style but its important to make sure you get quality ones. Mine are made by Paioli in Italy, they are easy to turn on and off, dont leak and modern fuels dont affect them. And you can change the lever so open is with the lever either in the up or down position.

[Colsbeeza]

I got mine recently from Andrew Guttman - Cheeserbeezer. Good quality and don't leak.
Col

[BSA_54A10]

I gave up on correct looking taps decades ago
Right now in the new tank I am running a needle valve generator tap https://www.gaspares.com.au/products/PTC794?q=petrol%20tap&product_code=PTC794&per_page=&product_page=&search%5Bcategory_url%5D= $ 14 wholesale and $ 20 all over the webb.
PIA as they require 4 turns to open fully but never leak
The old tank ran Chinese chook chaser taps .
Like the others above that have failed they are zinc castings but at $ 5 a piece who cares
Simple trick is to buy some BSP end plugs
Most BSA tanks are 1/4" BSPP
Then drill them and tap to metric size
A lot of the Chinese taps are UPP which can be forced into BSP holes
Over the years I have spent a fortune on replacing BSA fuel taps and wasted thousands of hours repairing them
A riding friend who shall remain nameless uses Indian Enfield taps .
Whie I am not afraid to open the wallet I do object to forking out $ 40 for taps that start to leak almost the first time they are used .

[Rex]

Do watch out because they’re taper threaded so they don’t screw in all the way.
E-bay item 144998652920

The tank threads are parallel, so using this type will inevitably distort the tank threads to some degree.
I wouldn't use them.

[Triton Thrasher]

If you can live without a reserve on the tap:



They’re made for domestic heating gas.

[groily]

Quite agree. Got 'em on a few things TT, with the garish bit hoicked off and a bit o' stainless or ali sheet cut to suit. Pennies, compared to most other options (where you get what you pay for - maybe!). They don't leak and some of mine have been in place for years.
Can buy or make & mount a brass gauze filter tank-side - with a bit of plain pipe to create reserve on one side even. Inline external filter probably more convenient though, as clean-able without having to drain anything.
I use the larger versions for oil line taps, with a (reasonably) discreet fettle to earth out a mag or disable a coil.

Very practical for daily riders (but not for winning any shows). Horses for courses, as always. Me, I'll happily swap 'look' for 'leakproof'.

(In emergencies, a drilled-through brass BSP plug with a plain spigot soldered up the 'ole and a dirt-cheap inline tap from a lawnmower shop or whatever has got me out of trouble in the past  . . . .)

[Topdad]

I'm sure I replaced mine with from Paul Goff ,beren on for 8-10 yrs and no probs

[RDfella]

My favourite type of tap. Not had one fail yet, though had to change one recently as it was getting stiff to operate. Appear to be brass.

[sean]

I bought some  Indian ones were all my supplier had in stock  the threads were so loose had to use teflon tape on them and one leaked at the on off lever just junk .