Z1 1973 leaking petcock problem...can you help?

[toycollector10]

I bought a recondition kit and fitted it...didn't work.

I fitted a new rubber sleeve with the holes in...didn't work.

I bought a complete repro unit, and now, that doesn't work either and it's leaking.

The problem is that there seems to be something in the petrol down here in New Zealand that turns the rubber parts to goo. Softens and distorts them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I have heard of Pingel petcocks. Who has used one?

Thanks....TC

[zince]

Hi

Had exactly the same issues on my 72 , tried the repair kit and it still leaks, fited a Pingle .....no leaks !

Bought mine from Debben , easy fit and bolts straight on.... not riginal looks but no more problems since , so think that is the way to go .

Good luck

Cheers

Vince

[Taffus]

Hi
Same here, pingel from debbns no more problems.............

[Pigford]

Pingel..... say no more

[davejames]

Seem to recall reading somewhere that the failure rate for the replacement petrol taps/kits (standard) ones was 75% or something stupid. Sounds like pingel is the way to go.

[toycollector10]

Thanks for your input. I've just ordered a Pingel off Jeff at Z1enterprises.

Fingers crossed......

[cra-z1]

You will like the Pingel. Put one on my 73 after rebuild failed also on the stock petcock.

[toycollector10]

I don't like the look of it. I'm going to butcher up my reproduction Made in China reproduction petcock and see if I can bury the Pingel in behind it.

I think it might be able to be done but I don't know how to attach the dummy body, which will be painted matt black like the original, over top of the pingel.

Possibly use some plastic metal (Kneed-It) somehow....

Pictures to come later, maybe, if I have some sucess.

Exit stage right not holding breath

[bunnysZ]

also have this problem... if you want it to look original why didnt you buy the replica of the original that z1 enterprises sell...?
Petcock - Kawasaki Z1 KZ900 - Replica of the original design, 2 fuel outlets out the back ...

[toycollector10]

Like I said Bunnyz...I bought one of those reproduction pet cocks, but not off Z1enterprises, I bought mine on eBay.

It didn't work, the rubber liner that slips over the barrel swelled up and went all mushy. Hopeless. And I left positive feedback.

Having said that, there is a problem with the additives to the fuel down here.

This issue might take some time to sort out.

[Jeff Saunders]

The 'replica' petcock we sell is more than likely a genuine one. From careful examination against an original one, I found zero differences. We buy many parts through PMC in Japan. One of the things they often do is repackage genuine Kawasaki parts under their name.

When we first starting buying from PMC, I assumed everything they sold was aftermarket - but when a batch of mudguards arrived one time, we could see a different label under the PMC sticker - carefully peeling it back revealed a Kawasaki parts label. Since then I've been doing much more comparision of parts. Many of them are truly the same as original.

A few years ago we did see some really rough repro petcocks - and they were junk - the lever was so stiff you'd fear breaking it every time you used it. And the holes in the rubber cone were too small to flow enough fuel under full power. Not good.

[toycollector10]

The pet cock I bought on eBay had CHINA cast into the lever.

My problem is that the rubber parts just aren't standing up to something that has been added to the fuel here.

I would love to try a correct reproduction pet cock from Z1enterprises but I just don't want to risk spending even more money on an uncertain outcome.

I probably won't be able to live with a Pingel. That's assuming a Pingel won't also leak.

Maybe I'll wind up ordering the correct looking tap from Z1enterprises in the long run.

One last thing, has anyone got the rubber sleeve that slides over the barrel of the leaver to spare for me. I'm getting desperate down here. An old original rubber sleeve might do the trick for me.

[Taffus]

Heatshrink???