Questions about old style flip lever fuel taps...

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Eldo Rado

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Nov 26, 2023, 10:27:59 AM11/26/23
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Good morning, all.

My '61 Falcone has suddenly decided to start dumping fuel when parked. 
Flipping the levers on the fuel taps has no effect so I expect they are done for.

I removed the float bowl and pushing the float up and seating the needle definitely stops the fuel flow. The Falcone currently has a Dellorto VHB 26 B (D) carb on it.
Can the flip lever fuel taps be disassembled and rebuilt in the same way the square block Loop frame taps can be, or is replacement the best (or only option)?

If replacement is the option, from what I've found here and on the Guzzi singles FB page, Guzzino's taps here should be the correct ones for my '61.


Am I correct that the description's statement, "Some older MV and Guzzi singles use the long obsolete 9.5x1.0mm petcock thread size." does not apply to the later Falcones like mine?

As always, thanks for any input and advice!

Denis



Don West

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Nov 26, 2023, 12:28:55 PM11/26/23
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My 1965 & 66 Stornellos both use 1/8 BSP thread in the petrol tanks.  It is very close to a 10x1.0 thread so needs very careful checking with a thread gauge to determine what your old ones are.  
I got some nice lever taps cheaply from Ebay that look the part.  

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Eldo Rado

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Nov 27, 2023, 9:17:04 AM11/27/23
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Thanks, Don.

Rick Yamane

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Nov 27, 2023, 9:43:08 AM11/27/23
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I came across the same finding when I had to replace the taps on my Stornello. I went ahead and ordered some 10mm taps from one of the Del'Orto suppliers who also carried Orlandi taps in hopes they would fit. They didn't but I was able to use the seals out of the new taps as the bodies are the same. Unfortunately, that does help you a lot as these are lever type taps. 
My GTV and Chris's Falcone both use lever type taps although he just got a Lodola with the flip taps. 
From: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Eldo Rado <bigtree...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 6:17:04 AM
To: Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [guzzi-singles] Questions about old style flip lever fuel taps...
 

Mac Dennis

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Nov 27, 2023, 10:01:44 AM11/27/23
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Gordon de la Mare

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Nov 27, 2023, 11:32:40 AM11/27/23
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MG Cycle may have a nice selection but the threads they say for Guzzi taps are incorrect.
As Don correctly said the thread is 1/8th BSP into the tank and are also 1/4 BSP for the pipework.
I just ran dies over both threads on my spare petrol taps to confirm.
We have been over this topic a couple of months ago where similar replies were given.
Gordon

Rick Yamane

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Nov 27, 2023, 11:48:10 AM11/27/23
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Yep, that elusive 1/8" BSP. 
And the statement on Guzzino about 9.5mm, might be correct as far as a measurement but is not correct for thread size as it is 1/8' BSP.

If faced with wanting to keep the flip lever design, I would recommend buying the 10mm taps and a 1/8" BSP die. Re-threading the taps as opposed to rethreading the tank, just for the sake of keeping things original. It's a lot easier and less expensive to re-thread the taps than to correct the tank down the road.

Rick
From: 'Gordon de la Mare' via Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 8:32 AM
To: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [guzzi-singles] Questions about old style flip lever fuel taps...

guzz...@aol.com

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Nov 27, 2023, 12:23:15 PM11/27/23
to 'Rick Yamane' via Guzzi Singles
checkout MG Cycle website for fuel taps they might have some here in the USA,

Tim

guzz...@aol.com

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Nov 27, 2023, 12:23:47 PM11/27/23
to 'Rick Yamane' via Guzzi Singles
Also Harpers Moto Guzzi in Missouri

Tim

On Monday, November 27, 2023 at 08:43:08 AM CST, 'Rick Yamane' via Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> wrote:


Mac Dennis

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Nov 27, 2023, 12:34:18 PM11/27/23
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MG does carry the flip lever type that I used on my Airone and Cardellino. I think they are stock on most older Guzzis though they are not my favorite.

Mac

Rick Yamane

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Nov 27, 2023, 12:35:18 PM11/27/23
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They are shown as 10mm thread size though......
From: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mac Dennis <capr...@fastmail.fm>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 9:33 AM

Mac Dennis

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Nov 27, 2023, 12:45:07 PM11/27/23
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Guzzino has them with the threaded ends. They also say they are 10mm and fit Falcons and such.


Mac

Rick Yamane

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Nov 27, 2023, 1:19:56 PM11/27/23
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Mac, the problem is the required threads in question are NOT M10-1.25 but 1/8" BSP. 
I'm not sure of when or where threads might have changed but many early models seem to have a 1/8" BSP tap. 
Last year when I was trying to get ready for the Giro in Santa Cruz I had to check this all out. I mentioned earlier that the "Sugar Cube" taps I have on my Stornello used the same seals as the Orlandi 10mm cubes I got from another supplier, maybe Herdan, the Morini guys, as I was fussing a lot with my Morini 500 at the time too. Anyway, they fit but they are the wire handled rotating lever taps.


Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 9:44 AM

John O Regan

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Nov 27, 2023, 3:07:16 PM11/27/23
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Hi All,
When I needed new taps I wanted to keep the original style with 1/8th BSP threads 
I got them from Valenti in Italy

John

Mac Dennis

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Nov 28, 2023, 2:44:40 PM11/28/23
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I understand what you are saying. I’m just passing on what respected vendors are selling and what I have used in the pass. 

Mac
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