Vacuum fuel shutoff

[James Temple]

Hi guys. Have a 82 750F with vacuum operated fuel shut off. Anyway to by pass and just use the tank fuel stopcock? Live in Manitoba (currently foot and a half of snow!) I have to crank it over lots to get it to start, even after priming with the pumper carbs for a dozen times or more. Most annoying. Sleds start easier. Any help?

[Johnnylevi]

You can take that off easy. Just put a cap on the #2 vacuum nipple on the carbs between the carbs and the engine.

[Groesbeck]

They're pretty easy to plumb around; however if it's not leaking there's a better way to deal with it other than cranking the starter.  There is a vent line that comes off the top of that vacuum shutoff.  It might be gone, but if it's not you can blow in it (I'm not making this up).  Blowing on it is the same as applying vacuum on the other side of the diaphragm.  This allows your carb bowls to fill up and makes it easier to start the bike.

They didn't put this little trick in the owner's manual for some reason.

[James Temple]

Thanks for the good info guys. I will try each offering.

[Lucky 1]

Get rid of it.

[Johnnylevi]

I wouldn't want to have to do that every time I started by bike.. haha Its easy to remove and its not going to hurt anything unless you leave the fuel on when you stop. So just remember to shut it off  and remember to cap up that #2 carb brass nipple. My friend didn't cap it on his and it ran so rough, but when you put a finger on it(to plug it) it smoothed right out!