fuel tap corks

[gammakeith]

The Scott started OK after its winter rest but incontinence from both fuel tap and block drain precluded any enjoyment of the Bank Holiday sunshine. It has a push-pull fuel tap with reserve lever. I am assuming that it has some sort of cork inserts? Are these easy to make out of a wine cork (hic) or is a special sort of cork needed? I have a set of cork borers (used for lots of things but never cork) so I should be able to sort something out myself. My prior experience with fuel taps are of the o-ring and rubber seal variety so I am a bit at sea 🙂 I couldn’t face removing and draining tank tonight so will have a go tomorrow evening…..

Thanks!

Keith

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

Hi Keith,
I’m sure that I have seen an advert for replacement corks somewhere, but can’t find it at the moment. Anything made up of ‘granulated’ cork, glued into sheeting like a tablemat, will be attacked by ethanol in petrol, as per my article in the latest Yowl, but wine bottle cork ought to be OK.
I pulled the lawnmower out from five or six months hibernation this morning, expecting a lot of hassle starting its 50cc Briggs and Stratton side-valve engine. A can of “Easystart” to hand, and a can of fresh petrol, plus a plug spanner at the ready, I gave the starting cord a half-hearted yank, and it started instantly !! What was I saying about ethanol……
Brian

[Deleted User]

Hello Keith On the older push pull taps the plunger is adjustable to squash the cork ie expand it . Regards DF.

[gammakeith]

Thanks guys! I will remove the tap tonight and investigate if the plunger can be tightened or if I need to sort replacement cork. The tap is from its rebuild in the 70’s so I’m not sure if that counts as “older” or not. I suspect not 😆

Keith

[Deleted User]

The man who supplies replacement corks for petrol taps is Paul Goff, tel 01494868218, in Prestwood, Bucks.

[Deleted User]

Many tap’s corks can’t be “tightened” as the newer design precludes it, and before attempting to deal with that awful man Goff, try the old trick of putting the plunger c/w cork in boiling water for 10 seconds.Usually works a treat!

[gammakeith]

Its all stripped now and appears to be a standard Enots sliding tap with reserve lever. There is no more tightening up possible so new corks are probably for the best. I’d forgotten that TMS (Nottingham) is on the way home for me so I’ll pop in tomorrow and see if they can sort me out. I’m sure Triumphs must have used those taps at some point!

Thanks,

Keith

[gammakeith]

Well TMS didn’t have any 🙄 Still I found a seller on ebay that will supply for £2.10 so I’ve gone for that. I did look at a wine cork but it was quite crumbly so I’m pretty certain it would not have been much good. I’ll just have to take another bike to the Eastern Section meet on Sunday 😳

Keith

[chris wastell]

I think it has to be champagne cork. That makes £2 from ebay good value!

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