I haven't ridden the bike for awhile now as I'm awaiting some fuel tap parts. The fuel taps on the bike are original push pull type Ewarts taps. These taps use cork sealing rings and are notorious for leakage. There is a common modification to O ring for Ewarts and the PO has done that. From my reading, the only fuel tap that leaks more than an original Ewarts is an Oring modified Ewarts! Plus they are damn hard to push and pull with the oring in there.
The taps were leaking when closed but after some use seemed to seal up OK when left open. My temporary solution was to leave them open all of the time. On the second day home with the bike I parked it overnight on the side stand.
The Carb float didn't like this and managed to flow lots of fuel into the engine. Not aware of this, I started the bike.
It sounded off somehow. I looked back at the tailpipe and saw raw fuel spraying out!
I shut the bike off , went in the house and ordered some ball valve type taps like I have on my other bikes. They just seem to work. Originality will have to go out the window on this item.
Years ago I burned up a good Matchless G80 due to a leaking Ewarts tap. It's good to know that they still leak!
The new taps and their adapters are here (BSA tanks have a 3/8BSP thread, most British taps are 1/4") but I failed to notice that the spigot nut on the end of the fuel hose is only 3/16" BSP whereas the new taps are 1/4".
New spigot fittings are on the way.
Glen
