The last romp on the Gray Ghost I was running pretty hard on a long straight and it felt like I was running out of gas at the top of 4th. I got out of it and noted there was 60 miles on that tank of gas. I usually get about 25 MPG so far since the build. Rode easy 5 miles to the gas station and it held 3.2 gallons, so it had about 2 gallons left (20.3 MPG = THIRSTY). I filled it up and ran the 12 miles home quite briskly with numerous 10K shifts and no recurrences. After consulting M in SC as noted in a previous post, I decided to order a 660 Raptor petcock with the intent of doing a dual outlet mod and installing it in an effort to make sure adequate fuel is reaching the PWK35s.
I got on Amazon and ordered what was advertised as a direct replacement for the Yamaha part number with an 8MM fuel outlet $16.99 shipped. Since they were so cheap I elected to order two and rob the fuel outlet pipe out of one for the dual outlet conversion and keeping the rest of the 2nd petcock for spares. Mark told me he had been burned before in a similar situation, so I hoped for the best.
Upon arrival I started measuring and comparing it to the RD400 petcock currently installed. The supposedly 8MM outlet was actually 4.7 MM (3/16 inch) which is smaller than the 400 petcock. Both stand-pipes were also smaller than the 400 petcock. I sent that shit back.
I got on Partzilla and ordered a factory Yamaha Raptor 660 petcock for $63.41 shipped 2-day UPS Air and since MLK day clogged that up it should be here Wednesday. After further consultation with M in SC and a lesson on flow characteristics and T-Fittings VS Y-fittings no dual outlet mod will be necessary. After scouring the local auto parts stores and finding only plastic Y-Fittings I got back on good old Amazon and ordered a 5/16 brass (7.9MM) Y-fitting and it will be here tomorrow $5.99 and free shipping with Prime.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XvS65P8g/brass_y.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Someone in the Gray Ghost's past life someone decided it was a good plan to weld a tang with a hole in it on the bottom seam on the RH side of the gas tank. I have not a clue why. I do know it made getting the gas tank on and off a challenge and its' close proximity to the positive battery post resulted in unwanted sparks on more than one occasion including today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/PNsQy1Rr/20260119_170754.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xN5mTNQW)
I was afraid to cut it off before in case it might have been some kind of strange leaky tank repair but enough is enough and I broke out the cut-off wheel staying well away from the seam. 2 minutes later no more tang. I hand filed the cut smooth and sloshed the little remaining fuel in the tank over to the right side and no leakage was noted. I also verified the gas cap vent hole is open by blowing air in the key slot and watching the bubbles in the gas can from the fuel lines
(https://i.postimg.cc/k51ZchF9/20260119_171442.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z9NVYHMD)
More to follow:
there you go :nana:
The way the batteries are mounted is kind of sketchy. You can't get it out without lifting the gas tank. The positive post is so close to the tank that if the battery holding strap breaks it could slide over and hit. You can't get to the positive post, to charge it, unless you lift the tank and support it. I connect the charger to the main fuse under the seat.