found this item in my gas tank

Below is a scanned image of an orange, rectangular object w/ what appears to be a spout or nozzle at the bottom.

Decided to take the petcock off earlier tonight and check the gaskets. While draining the tank, I heard something scraping around inside. After some fishing, below is what I dragged out of the tank.

Does anyone know what it is? I'm guessing it has a function to do with the functioning of my gas tank, but I have no idea what it is for, where it belongs, and how it got in my gas tank in the first place.

Much appreciation for any insight or assist on this one. Thanks!

 

It's the first set of screens for the fuel flow to the carbs, the second set of screens is inside the carbs at the float valves.

The part you have fits on top of the petcock, if you look closely at it you will see the left half ( in your photo ) has less screening than the right half. The left half is the "normal" flow to the carbs, the right half is the "reserve" flow to the carbs and the screening goes all the way down to allow emptying of the tank.

 

I took a picture of mine with the filter in place so you could have a look.
I tried to push just the filter thru my tank opening, seems to be a pretty tight fit!
Wonder how yours got thru?
I would look a bit closer at the filter and the opening on your gas tank, see if you can find a problem and prevent it from happening again.

 

Good explanation with the pics Nick , how could that be any better....

 

I think Nick has a whole bike disassembled and cleaned just setting on the garage floor. And whenever someone needs something he just dusts it off takes a pic and puts it up here.

He has a pic for everything.
Good job Nick.

 

:lol: Just slower than molasses in January putting it back together. :lol:

Have my tank apart doing some bondo work, paint to follow, just still not certain on color!

 

thanks nick! question for ya in that case - if this filter knocks off the petcock, can it contribute to engine flooding?

 

nope, if its flooding after sitting then its probably your float valve seals. Either buy new ones or if money is tight take some 150 - 320 grit sand paper and evenly sand the rubber part to soften it up like I did.

 

Chances are if that filter is off then some larger chunks may have made their way down to the float valves and may be holding them open. Carby clean time.

If your concerned about your needles and seats and low on replacement bucks then they can be cleaned up fairly easily. I use the green foam type kitchen scourer(not sure what they are called) and give the needle valves a few quick turns to clean and smooth the point. The seat I use a small drill bit that just fits in and run the drill in REVERSE for half a second. This smooths out any burrs in the seat.

Worth a try if they are buggered.