TOPIC:

Petrol tap on my IoM is extremely stiff to operate. This is very annoying as the IoM has twin high level exhausts so its very hard to get your fingers to even reach the fuel tap, let alone turn it.

Because its so hard to reach/turn I can see that it has been left on in the past and the carb has leaked as there is a petrol stain on the LH engine cases. I dont like leaving fuel taps on.

Any suggestions on how to make the fuel tap turn easily?

Can they be dismantled and lubricated (some sort of petrol resistant grease, perhaps????)

Even without the twin pipes they are fiddly to get to, spray a little WD40 and jiggle until it frees off is probably the only way.
John

can they be dismantled like other old Italian fuel taps???

Jiggle 1st dismantle after

so I left it sitting for 2 days with PB Blaster (great stuff) sprayed around the tap - made not a blind bit of difference!

Still super stiff. the tap does appear to be capable of disassembly - it has 2 small screws holding the plate around the lever just like the taps used on old Guzzis Ducatis and Laverdas from the 70s.

Not game to remove them though unless I was sure there was a source of rubber seals......

I would expect any O rings in the tap to be stock sizes so should be readily available, bite the bullet and go for it.
Regards
John