I received a phone call from a friend asking me where they could get an extendable fuel tap lever from. Living on a little island you get used to using whatever is to hand, as there is no scooter shop handily situated around the corner.
I had an old damaged choke lever and a plastic fuel tap lever to hand. Firstly I cut the damaged part off the old choke lever, pulled the little peg out (save it as it may come in handy) I then ran a 6mm tap down the choke stem to create a 6mm thread.
Then I cut the plastic handle off the fuel tap lever with a hacksaw. After checking the length that I needed for the finished fuel tap, I cut the fuel tap stem to the desired length.
I then placed two 6mm threaded nuts on each side, one on the fuel tap lever stem and one on the old choke tap lever. Then using a 6mm threaded extendable nut (approx. 19mm long) I joined the fuel tap lever stem on one end and the old choke tap lever on the other. That gives you basically the finished item for a total cost of about 90p.
The extendable nuts are stocked by B&Q, or any tool supplier.
In position
The good thing now is that you can have your fuel tap in whatever position you like in relation to where the cut out goes on the knuckle. The same can be applied to extending a normal length fuel tap lever, by simply cutting where desired (see pic) and then placing the extendable nut in.
This can also give you the length to run the fuel tap lever around the front of your carb , this may help if the back of the carb fouls the fuel tap lever when running in the normal position.
Tap Tip: Having a fuel tap running around the front of the carb can also help stop the carb popping off!
Once you pop
If your carb has a habit of popping off the problem may lie with the carb rubber and the carb inlet. Simply remove your carb and the carb rubber off the inlet. Then grab a clean rag and squirt some brake cleaner on the rag and wipe it around the outside of the carb inlet. This cleans the two-stroke fuel off it, then with another piece of the rag and a drop more brake cleaner wipe around the inside of the carb rubber until it’s clean. Now your carb rubber should stick to your inlet like a biscuit to a dogs wet tongue!
Using brake cleaner
Brake cleaner is one of the cheapest ways of cleaning any engine part, it works out at about £2 per litre and is very effective. It is also very flammable, so no naked flames anywhere near it. I always make Mrs Prince put her pipe out when I’m using it. Remember brake cleaner is a solvent and will evaporate so never leave it with the lid off.
Any excess can be wiped away with a rag – remember to dispose of your rags safely i.e. don’t put a match to them! Also its handy to have a fire extinguisher to hand in your workshop/garage and always wear disposable gloves when using solvents.
Words and photos: Nick Prince
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This fuel lever tip is also great for Vespa Smallframes. Trying to fit the fuel lever whilst the tank is in place is a real pain in the arse as you’re working blind. By putting in the joint you can undo & reft the tap without having to fit the ‘R’ clip.