Cork Fuel Taps

[davemac]

Hi Guys,
Just joined the Forum and I've got an A10, engine no. DA10 2058 frame no. EA 1391 I believe it's a 1958 Golden Flash although it's got an aluminium head and RR front end. Anyway  I was interested reading your comments on cork fuel taps. The old girl was in storage for 15 plus years, for various reasons, and about 9 months ago I decided it was time to get it out. I made sure I turned it over every month or so and apart from replacing a lot of the gaskets cause they'd gone hard the only real problem I had was the fuel taps - no fuel in the tank - cork dried out big time. Bought a couple of new ones, ( dear as poison), fitted them in - problem solved. Unfortunately a serious bill came in and I had to pospone rego. for a few months. Now I did leave fuel in the tank thinking it would keep the cork moist. I know what you're goin' to say but I'm still a novice so that's my explaination. Anyway to cut a long story short the cork was buggered again and I wasn't going to buy any more so I went to a wheel bearing company and went through their stock of "O" rings. I found a size that seemed right but three was slightly loose with four too tight. I decided on three per tap and bought 12 to fit both sets for bugger all cash. When I fitted them up it still leaked so three wasn' enough. After some serious patience and manipulating I got four of them on the plungers and into the shafts. Although they were very tight to operate, I needed a pair of plyers initially, I can now pull them out by hand. So far they have worked brilliantly and they cost me next to nothing.   

[bsa- bill]

Sounds like a worthwhile mod provided the o-ring rubber is fuel proof.
Cork is OK (11 years in my bike so far and no leaks) provided you soak them in fuel for a few days before fitting (or some use water )
I bought two plungers complete with corks fitted that I keep in a jar of fuel on a shelf in the shed as a quick fix should the need arise, as with most standby things they have not been needed, strange though the fuel in the jar has never gone bad.

All the best - Bill

[davemac]

Hey Bill,

The guy I got the 'O' rings off assured me that they were oil and fuel resistant so I guess only time will tell, aye.

Davemac

[MG]

Hi Dave!

Welcome to the forum!
There are O-rings available that are made from fluororubber. These have a greyish colour, unlike the normal rubber O-rings that are deep black. This fluororubber really is resistant to fuel and mineral oil. If you ever come to take a japanese engine apart, you will very probably find those O-rings. That's why they stay oil-tight through many many years.

Cheers, Markus