running bike w/o tank..

want to start my bike up, but not ready to use the tank. What do you guys do? Can I just run the fuel line into a can of gas, do I need the petcock, etc.. Thanks, Lou

 

You CAN, but you'll need to plug the vacuum port on the intake manifold where the vacuum line from the petcock gets its vacuum from. Otherwise, you're OK as long as it's CLEAN. XJ carbs+dirt=big headache.

 

I made a service tank from a 1 gal plastic bottle. Just epoxied a nipple to it near the bottom. I added a lawnmower fuel cut off so I could turn it on/off which is handy. As Fitz said make sure it's clean. I plug it in to the hose off my petcock which includes the mandatory fuel filter.

 

I use an empty water bottle with the bottom cut off and a tire valve stem with the core out of it through the cap. works great.

 

I went to my neighbors house and asked if he had any old lawnmowers or other small engine equipment he no longer wanted. He had an old generator that threw the rod, so I took it from him and stole the gas tank from it. Mounted it up high on my shop wall and ran 6 feet of 1/4" fuel line down. Best part about that tank is it came with an on-off valve attached. Works great for tuning my bike.

 

To answer your question- - no, you can't just stick the fuel line into the top of a gas container- - it won't self siphon even with the engine running.
It has to drain from the bottom because there is no fuel pump.
I use an old push mower tank. I also have simply put the bike's tank on a card table next to the bike, with about 3 feet of fuel line.

 

As a note - make sure your fuel supply tank sits at approximately the same height as the stock tank -- these are gravity fed fuel systems, and if you have it too high the pressure behind the fuel can (and will) flood the carbs and make a huge mess.
DAMHIKT

 

why would a push mower have a tank?

 

To hold the beer!

 

I use the Gas Tank off an old Snow-Blower.
It has a Shut-off Valve on it that comes in handy.

I mounted it to a piece of shelving stock so I can slip the board into the jaws of my vice and elevate the tank when in use.
We not in use; I shut-off the Gas and stand it up against the side of my toolbox.

It has a built-in gas filter that keeps-out anything in the gas from getting to the Carbs.
The portability and safety are the two nice things about it.

 

I'm guessing you're a bit older than I am...
When I think of a push mower I don't think of the mechanical ones with a cylindrical blade,
I think of the 2hp Briggs and Stratton type.

 

They made reel type mowers with gas engines, that you still had to push.
+1 on including a filter. Also use clear fuel line so you can see if you are flowing fuel.

 

Check these out boys !!

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... fuel+tanks


http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... fuel+tanks

 

Thats 85 bucks. Which means it's about 85 bucks more than I spent on mine. An old battery acid container inverted with the tubing from a oxygen mask used as my fuel line. Works great and it was free.

 

I drilled a hole in a water bottle a 2 litre bottle would work to. Took the white barrel of a bic pen and epoxied it to the cap the white barrel fits in the fuel line snug enough not to leak. screw the cap on then loosely zip tie it to the backbone of the frame. good to go.

 

$29 for a bottle shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Ac ... 06.c0.m245




ebay search
http://motors.desc.shop.ebay.com/items/ ... ccessories

 

I use a 8 oz squirt bottle with a tapered tip. Plug it right into the fuel line. Just have to remember to keep pushing fuel into the carbs, or poke a hole in the bottle for air. I just wanted to know the bike would start, so I wasn't concerned about constant fuel flow. If I were tuning, I'd poke an air hole.

Got a 6 pack of the bottles from harbor freight, $4. Also use the bottles for filling forks, brake master cylinder fills, and anything else I can think of.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=94390

 

recently i used an old gear oil bottle with the bottom cut off, i turned the bottle upside down with the cap on and a piece of fuel line on the tapered end of the cap, worked great.