sounds like the carbs were designed by an idiot.
Get with the times old man... you are what? 65?
Vacume actuated petcocks have been on bikes since mikuni's became obsolete, late 70's... the vac actuation was the answer to fuel delivery upon demand, with the CV carbs proliferation... we got fuel injection today, callin azz on the design of a 30 year old design is pretty rediculous. It was driven by the technology of the times... my 78'KZ1000Ltd has mic,s and drains, and metal float needles.... it works. So do my 88' CV carbs, work that is, and they have rubber tipped needles... and my C14 has injectors.... and they work...