Fuel tap repair kit

I bought my bike (XJ900F 1985) this summer. First tank I ran to see where I have to switch to reserve. When bike started to go on three cylinders I switched to reserve and no difference. I was glad I got it to nearest filling station...

Anyway, is a repair kit the way to go? Will it fix my fuel tap so I will have approx 5 liters left in tank switching to reserve?

http://yambits.co.uk/xj900f-fuel-tap-re ... 45125.html

 

Your problem could be a missing "filter tower"
You can flow-test and diagnose the tank and petcock without the bike running, you just need a length of hose and a catch can, apply mouth vacuum to the smaller hose.
Figure out what you need before buying a "repair kit".

 

My petcock was buggered and I bought a gravity fed one from xjbikes and it works great.
You have to remember to shut it off but I had no trouble with that because I rode a 78 rd400 for years and was already into checking all the time.
I'm not sure how the rebuild kits go but all it needs is the rubber ported diaphragm inside.
They tend to crack and split when not moved for long periods of time.

 

OK, where to get the filter tower? Seems more logical that it should be a "pin" up that differ the normal from reserve.

 

Get your XJ parts from Chacal/ Len.
Click on the XJ4ever logo in the upper right hand corner.
Or PM Chacal, guaranteed that he will get you the right parts.

 

Check to see if your filter tower is floating around in your tank first.

I don't think you tested yet - you will need to remove the petcock, and the "Phillips" head screws can be a (female Swedish dog) to remove.

 

That is correct, I haven't tried taking it apart yet. I have searched for pictures of a fully functional fuel tap but haven't found any. That would be a great help when I remove it to see what is wrong.

 

Drain your tank and shake it, to find the loose filter tower.

Easy way to drain a tank -
Stand it on end
Insert 6 feet of garden hose into a bottom corner - other end in a bucket.
insert 18 inch section along-side
stuff remaining filler neck with a rag
blow into 18 inch hose - - siphon starts without getting petrol in your mouth.

 

Here's a thread where BigFitz52 rebuilt his:

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=25058.html

 

Hehe, that I really got pictures how it should look like. Imagine that guy doesn't have any kids sporting a lot... We will see if I can be as careful as he repairing my fuel tap.

 

Yesterday I took of the fuel tap from the tank. I had to use my impact screwdriver to loosen the bolts, a little bit tricky to get space to get to the heads. Very tight.

And as you have mentioned, it had no filter tower. Tried to shake the tank to find any loose objects but I couldn't find any. So now is the hunt started to get hands of a fuel tap in relatively good condition at a low cost. Have seen new ones for approx € 100 (what that now is in $) and it is a little bit to expensive. I am aware of the problem, so I go on the tankmeter. It has a fault, it falls down to zero when it is approx. 5-6 liters left. And then it is time to fill her up.

 

As mentioned previously, rebuild kits are available that have the filter tower. In your case, I think Chacal's part number is HCP5870. You might try asking him to see if he has the filter tower available separately, if that's all you need.