You will have to prctice switching from "on" to "Res". Once you have done it a few times, its not hard. Really its not

 

There may be some crud around the filter screen on the part of the petcock inside the tank. This occurs moreso on older bikes or bikes that tend to sit (or bikes whose owners use the "crap" gas can in their garage.)
Usually (like Hoedogg said) it's better to switch to reserve while the bike is still running; just less hassle. Practice a few times and you get used to it.

 

If you are positive on the petcock position. The screens/petcock cleaning and rebuild are a part of your periodic maintenance. But as mentioned, switching on the fly is a good thing to know.

 

Thanks alot everyone. I am willing to bet that I just need to take off the tank and clean out the crud on the filter/screen. I bet Jeff is right since my bike is 9 years old and I'm sure at one point or another it sat for a extended period of time. Haynes manual here I come.

CC55

 

Ah; don't need a Haynes to do that. Should be 2; maybe 3 (at most) screws holding the bottom plate against the underside of the tank. Try to get as much fuel out as possible before you pull the petcock out! Slide it out gently, and use a soft bristle brush (old toothbrush works well) and some kerosene or solvent. Check your seal and give it a good visual inspection. Re-install, and you're good to go.

 

How can I go about getting the fuel out before removing the petcock? Do I need to run it dry again?

 

and every bike is different....I had one bike that could go 50 miles on reserve, yet another that would only go bout 5.....on the bike that would only go 5 miles, you had to switch on the fly, it would take just as much gas to refuel the bowels as would switch on the fly and drive another 5.

The lesson to be learned, I guess, is don't run the bike that low on fuel.

 

Take the tank completely off. Turn it upside down and drain all the fuel. Let it sit for a little bit to evaporate.
When you take the petcock off, you WILL get a little fuel drainage, so have some rags handy. Shouldn't be that much, though.

 

Does your petcock have a "PRI" setting? That's what you'll need to use if you ever run the carbs completely out of gas again. Just setting it to "RES" won't do anything if the bike isn't running. "RES" requires vacuum from the engine to allow gas to flow. "PRI" lets it flow freely to the carbs even if the bike is shut down. You'll have to do some considerable cranking on the engine to get the "RES" setting to fill the bowls back up. Not good for the starter or battery.