Fuel tap

Hi Paul, For some unknown reason this tap is now exceedingly rare.The commercialy availiable replacements are usually single action without reserve and look very diferent. I spent best part of a year looking for a replacement plunger for mine.It is perfectly possible to buy new filter tube and solder in,Corks are also availiable and the tap can be dismantled ,new cork fitted and re-riveted togerther.Corks are unlikely to be the right size though but can be made from scratch or re-sized. However there is another solution,I have a few brand new old stock main and reserve long plungers with fitted corks . Dismantle your tap,send me a photo of the parts ,and if i can match it then i'll sell you one.If you decide to repair your one ,take a photo of the plunger BEFORE disecting as the plunger can be easily assembled wrongly and only one way works. PM me if required. If you decide to try an alternative tap then you could sell me your remains and i'll re-furb it for another rivet counter like me!!.I have a selection of new taps that I bought, none of which do the job.

The tap on my 99 had no reserve and my local supplier didn't want to sell me one as "they all leak". The tap on my Guzzi has both a reserve and an "on" and has never leaked. I bought a new one and had a connector made up to attach to the threads on the tank. Very neat.

Previously paul_clements wrote:

The original fuel tap on my 1966 650SS, stored in the shed for 23 years, has seized solid and the filter has disintegrated. It is the "pull on/turn and pull for reserve" type. It looks like chrome plated brass and has EWARTS US PAT 758264 & ABROAD stamped into it. I need a replacement. As it's the same as was on 3 other dommies Iowned,I assumed there must be loads of other dommies fitted with this type of tap and thereforea direct replacement available. I can't find one. Does anybody know where I can get one?

yes that sounds about right too me as most things from Plumstead fell apart !!

Hi Anna, The fitting we are talking about was fitted at Bracebridge st from 1959, so a bit before plumsteads dirty deeds!.Mine is still in use 54 years later.

Hi Anna, The fitting we are talking about was fitted at Bracebridge st from 1959, so a bit before plumsteads dirty deeds!.Mine is still in use 54 years later.

well my bikes have the race type taps on, and not the pull /push type.

the race type are no bother at all, yours anna J

AS the tap body is brass it can't be rust. Most likely dried fuel. The cork is the only thing in contact with the body. Keep at it.My information shows this tap was fitted to lightweights and slimlines from 1959 till the Mercury.

I use these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUARANTEED-EWARTS-PETCOCK-REPAIR-KIT-UNRIVALED-QUALITY-EFFORTLESS-INSTALLATION-/171483454065?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ed35da71&vxp=mtr

I must admit, a friend of mine makes them & It's my ebay ad. Anyone in the club that wants any, it will be at wholesale cost to club members. Pull out the old, slide in the new. It's really that simple. It comes pre lubed with aircraft lube that will not wash out with fuel & o-rings are a stnadard size & cheap to replace, although I have yet to get a request for a replacement o-ring. Unaffected by any pump fuel.

If you need a body, send me a pic of your old one, as there were different models. I have some old original ones in the garage. I also stock the corks, but I am sure you can get them in the UK easily, as Wassell stocks them.

Skip Brolund

HI Skip, The parts look good quality ,however they are nothing like the ones we are talking about. I have been through all the commercial sites.I think in the past those who wanted to keep the double action tap went through the re-cork routine ,which usually means buying corks from multiple sources to find one that fits.

Hi Robert, these replace the pull & turn type plungers. Are you refering to the push-pulls ? Show us a pic of what you need. Mine has the 2 orings where the cork would normally be.

Cheers,

Skip Brolund

Hi Skip, These orrig fittings use a longer plunger which has a brass slotted valve at the end which switches from main to reserve ,the action is pull on and turn to lock,then pull on again for reserve,They look like the normal single pull ewarts but with a longer body. !/4 BSP male both top and bottom. My bike has many orrig fittings that are usually swopped for pattern. levers, seat,pillion rests,brake switch,rear light,etc. It used to sport full period touring kit inc a fiberglass engine enclosure that somehow improved cooling, Ala Vincent Black prince, All far too heavy ,so now only Craven panniers . I will remember how to post photos, just need to remember where the computer lives!.

Hi Paul, I would put the tap in a cup and pour on boiling water, then repeat a few times once its cooled. Cant rust or hurt it .remove small plunger retaining screw ,turn to free and pull out plunger.You will notice that the plunger is about 12mm longer than any on sale.I'm surprised you have had 3 bikes still with the orriginal taps .If you decide to buy a new one from me that will give you a spare one to practise re-furbing on. Let me know where you find corks that fit!.I have decided to keep my "stock" for a while to help NOC members first ,in time i'll put whats left on E-Bay.Perhaps Skip will get some made, I doubt there is enough demand.

When I look at photo's of restored bikes ,often with the caption"orriginal" I can't help myself, I have to count up the Non orriginal features, Invariably when i get to 25 or so I lose interest . Is this some form of illness?.Anyone else have it?. Is there a cure?.

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

When I look at photo's of restored bikes ,often with the caption"orriginal" I can't help myself, I have to count up the Non orriginal features, Invariably when i get to 25 or so I lose interest . Is this some form of illness?.Anyone else have it?. Is there a cure?.

One solution is not know the original bikes well enough... unless you're in the market then have someone along who does.

The 99 I'm restoring has such a mixture of Atlas and Dominator parts I've given having it be "orginal" so just won't use the word!

Filters are sold on E-Bay and can be soldered in (although I have not done it) The reserve tube that was inside the filter can be remade if gone, with a recon plunger (or one of my spares from my box) you should be back in business.I have looked at all the likely webb sites and there is NO current substitute for this tap. Another owner has fitted a thread adaptor to a Guzzi tap ,but I have not found one on sale.The Long body ewarts rarely appears SH on e-bay although Norville sold a rough one a month or so ago.

OK ,I will sort it.