Fuel petcock, after riding turn to Off?

For a 1986 VFR700, do I need to turn the fuel petcock to Off, when I'm not riding it?

The previous owner said if I don't turn it Off, fuel will leak past it, and get in the oil.

On my Honda dirtbikes, the only time I turn the petcock from On, is when I'm out on the trail and run out of fuel, or to work on the fuel system.

 

Can do if the valve in the float bowl doesn't shut off.... plus, lack of use with petcocks and they eventually stiffen up.... just do it IMHO.

 

I turn all mine off when I stop. There is zero downside to doing this & getting into the habit of doing it.

 

I do it ALL the time on my carb bikes... I learned the hard way. In 1980 my 1979 Honda CBX hydro locked. Cylinder number 1 filled with gas from a stuck float. The rod made a nice big hole in the case. American Honda did not cover the repair. They said I over reved my engine causing rod failure.... yea right! The following year they came out with vacume petcocks...... any way new cases and connecting rod plus my labor.
Turn that fuel petcock off if you have carbs!

Rod by sixdog posted May 28, 2020 at 12:17 PM

 

I agree, just get in the habit. But that VFR has a fuel pump way back under seat, then goes uphill back to the carbs. Gravity is not gonna push fuel that far past the pump and float valves.

Here's another tip tho on older petcocks. Every now and then, run your bike on reserve and let fuel get to that portion of the o-rings to keep them from drying out. BUT, you have to remember to to turn it back at some point. Seen a few VFRs leak out at the knob and down the tank when put on reserve. I do this on my vintage bikes too.

 

zero fuel flow unless pump is running, so no need for shu-off de pe-cock.

 

Almost all of mine are vintage - lol I use the reserve to tell me when its time to fill...

And please on an old bike - if you have a petcock with off - USE IT.

 

Shit, I guess you're right, mine are all vintage too I suppose. I meant VINTAGE vintage.

I just leave mine on reserve for a while after filling to give a little more time in some fuel. I know, It's not really something to worry that much about, it's just that I've seen and experienced it. I have a 35 gal fuel pump at home with non-ethanol fuel treated with lead additive for my old(er) shit and they rarely see reserve as I am just bopping around town usually.