1986 VT500 Fuel Reserve Switch Leaking

[MidnightBlue]

Hi,

It's finally warming up and I've had the bike out several times. I need to fix or replace the fuel reserve switch. It will leak right out through the switch after I shut the engine off and lean the bike over or when I turn the switch to OFF or RESERVE. It's not a slow drip, it's a fast leak. Do I need to replace the entire unit? It doesn't look like I'm supposed to be able to take it apart (except for the accelerator pump).

Thanks

[tubes_rock]

I've never really looked too closely at the one for the VT500. My wife has a Honda 450 from the same era and it's riveted together, so it has to be replaced as unit. I've seen other Hondas where the petcock is held together by screws and you can (and I have) repair those.

So I guess the short of it is:
Rivets = replace
Screws = repair

I've not tries drilling out the rivets and replace them with screws, but someone so dedicated could probably make that work.

--Justin

[still_bluenoser]

Just replace it. I've drilled the riveted ones apart, tapped the holes and put them together, but rebuild parts are hard to find unless you dont mind blocking off the vacuum shut off portion, (not accelerator pump)

["Captain D"]

My Buddy (with the Magna probem) has JB Weld on his petcock, it still leaks...
IF It were me, I`d replace the faulty one with a rebuildable petcock...
My $.02,
Dennis

[MidnightBlue]

Thanks. What's my best option for buying that assembly?