Subject: Fuel Valves and Cap Gaskets, the real deal.
Author: Tom Bowes
Date: Aug 21, 2001, 7:07 PM
Post ID: 1707952631
Dave, Ian, Tim, Rich, Kevin, et al......
I've been down the(figurative)long road with the fuel tap gaskets and
the gas cap gaskets, and have developed solutions for both.
First of all, let me inform everybody on the list that Cheeshead and
Gordon at MG Cycle have replacement gas cap gaskets for loopframes. They
are made of BUNA and are die cut to be a perfect fit. Take the cap
apart, install the gasket, reassemble, no more leak. I don't know what
their price is, call them and see.
As far as using BUNA for the fuel tap gaskets, it doesn't work for two
reasons. First of all, it is too soft and tears easily when you rotate
the valve. Secondly, it seems to lack the chemical resistance to remain
in constant contact with gasoline that may or may not contain ethanol.
My guess is that if you try to use a cork composite gasket you will
eventually have the same problem because the rotor of the valve will
tear off bits of cork until the thing fails to seal. After an initial
failure using the BUNA gaskets, I have switched to a die cut Viton
gasket, with excellent results.
I had to pull my tank off last week to replace the generator, and the
tank still had two gallons of fuel in it. With the Viton gaskets I was
able to place the tank horizontally on the shelf in my garage and the
fuel valves did not leak so much as one drop! I am planning on sneaking
off to the Adirondak rally this weekend and will bring some samples with
me. You guys who attend can try them out. If they work I will make them
available via MG Cycle.
Tom
'70 (July '69) Ambassador
99.8% Complete, 10% Left To Go
'82 V50-III
Shelby Township, Michigan