Ever do something really stupid? ATV goof

I have been trying to buy several older 4 wheelers to leave at a remote camp as work vehicles (not play-toys). I am kind of new to them. I rode dirt-bikes for years, but am new to these four-wheelers.

I just got what I think was a great buy on a cosmetically "challenged" 1995 Suzuki with 4WD, three range aux trans against a 5 speed, differential locks, winch, etc. Last owner rolled it and bent up a few things but it runs great. $1000.

When I put is away at the camp, I tried to shut the gas off as I do with all things with gravity-feed gas tanks. But - when I looked at the fuel shut-off, there is no "off" like all my others have. I have no owner's manual to explain things and was in a hurry. Choices are "ON", "RES", or "PRI." So I know I did not want on, or reserve. So, in frustration - I stuck it on "PRI." Now after getting home 120 miles away, I find out this thing has an automatic fuel shut-off kind of like some John Deere two-cylinder tractors had. This one works off of engine-vacuum instead of oil-pressure like a Deere. So it seems the "PRI" stands for "primer" and I left it in the one position that it can now flood. Oh well. See how it looks next time I am up there.

Suzuki, back in the good old days was always the fat ugly sister in the ATV world. They were always doing oddball "outta the mainstream" stuff back then. Not saying some of the stuff wasn't good ideas, but they always had one foot outside the boundary.

Lol. Vacuum operated petcocks were common on street motorcycles across all brands before the advent of fuel injection. BTW, my 2002 Honda Fourtrax utility ATV has the same setup. It isn't a "Suzuki thing".

The prime position is there to override the vacuum operated feature in the event one runs completely out of gas. It lets you fill the carburetor bowl so the thing will start.

That valve will turn 180 degrees from where shown. I bet if it were turned straight down it would cut the fuel off.

I can't get my head around leaving the vehicles at the camp. Looks like it would be easy target for thieves. They seem to be everywhere.

I would bring a new spark plug with me just in case.I've had them stop working when soaked with gas

You are right lots of jap bikes have them. You need a vacuum pump to activate with the engine on.

I mean with the engine not running.

My Kawasaki 750 Vulcan was like that. I stress 'was'.

That brings back a lot of memories. I bought one in the late eighties, put four thousand miles on it and sold it several years ago for eight hundred dollars. It was still like new. Kind of wish I had kept it.

(quoted from post at 08:38:18 08/05/17) Suzuki, back in the good old days was always the fat ugly sister in the ATV world. They were always doing oddball "outta the mainstream" stuff back then. Not saying some of the stuff wasn't good ideas, but they always had one foot outside the boundary.

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Agree with that BUT [b:f9dbfe1a89]SUZUKI[/b:f9dbfe1a89] was also the first to market a 4-wheeler!
They are a small company compared to HONDA so they have to 'think outside the box!

(quoted from post at 11:09:45 08/05/17) You are right lots of jap bikes have them. You need a vacuum pump to activate with the engine on.

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vacuum pump? why not just turn it to pri (prime)?

Great 4 wheeler's... They like wheel bearings, U-joints and BRAKES... Mud and water got them no problem to replace. We hogged hard in mud and water I would remove the wheels, slide the drums off and make sure mud did not get into the brakes if it did clean seal and go back at it again. I was the rare one that had brakes on a SuKI.... I had to replace the fuel pump on it one time its a vacuum pump...

RE: . . . "I can't get my head around leaving the vehicles at the camp"

I agree. Problem is -we are not using just as toys on vacation. We are working up there and no way can I truck three ATVs back and forth all the time. Plan is to take them all home when winter comes. Plan also was to buy used older beaters that maybe would not tempt thieves. This 95 Suzuki certainly looks banged up enough. I also just bought this 2006 Kawasaki though for $1100. 2WD but it looks like new. Great buy but this one is so clean, I am afraid someone might think it is worth stealing. So, we have a very beat looking 1985 Suzuki 2WD, a beat looking 1995 Suzuki 4WD, and this cursed 2006 Kawasaki 2WD that is in like-new condition.

(quoted from post at 15:19:02 08/05/17)
Great 4 wheeler's... They like wheel bearings, U-joints and BRAKES... Mud and water got them no problem to replace. We hogged hard in mud and water I would remove the wheels, slide the drums off and make sure mud did not get into the brakes if it did clean seal and go back at it again. I was the rare one that had brakes on a SuKI.... I had to replace the fuel pump on it one time its a vacuum pump...

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Bought a brand new King Quad in 01....and yes it ate wheel bearings, ujoints and brakes. Great bike but mine's too far gone to bother fixing up.
Love the 15 speed.....all the levers were the reason I bought it over a Honda.