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Petcock question...... I searched

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikesChevelle
  • Start date Start date
M

MikesChevelle

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Is there a popular upgrade for my 1981 GS850 petcock or is a rebuild my only option. as far as a rebuild, can someone point me towards a good walk through for that


thanks
 
A rebuild is wasted time and money. Success rate is very low. Buy a new OEM tap. And then don't worry bout it for 20 more years.
 
Either buy an OEM for a terrible price or get a replacement from Z1enterprizes.com
 
SqDancerLynn1 said:
Either buy an OEM for a terrible price or get a replacement from Z1enterprizes.com
Click to expand...

Unfortunately last I looked on Z1 the petcock designs they carry for the GS only work for the 82 and on models with the small lever. The spout faces to the rear on those bikes as does the petcock z1 carries. The older type face to the front of the bike and there isn't room between the tank and the frame down turn rails to face the petcock to the rear.
OEM are the only ones I've been able to find in a vacuum style that will work.
A pingel or simple on off type may work fine and be cheaper... Just don't ever forget to shut it off when the bike is off or you'll have a crankcase full of gas.
 
TheCafeKid said:
Unfortunately last I looked on Z1 the petcock designs they carry for the GS only work for the 82 and on models with the small lever. The spout faces to the rear on those bikes as does the petcock z1 carries. The older type face to the front of the bike and there isn't room between the tank and the frame down turn rails to face the petcock to the rear.
OEM are the only ones I've been able to find in a vacuum style that will work.
A pingel or simple on off type may work fine and be cheaper... Just don't ever forget to shut it off when the bike is off or you'll have a crankcase full of gas.
Click to expand...
Do not ignore this part. It may be cheaper in the short run, but the first time you fill your crankcase with fuel you will be kicking yourself.
And you also have to remember to turn them on when you are ready to start the engine. You just leave an OEM vacuum petcock in the ON position all the time. Easy peasy.
 
TheCafeKid said:
Unfortunately last I looked on Z1 the petcock designs they carry for the GS only work for the 82 and on models with the small lever. The spout faces to the rear on those bikes as does the petcock z1 carries. The older type face to the front of the bike and there isn't room between the tank and the frame down turn rails to face the petcock to the rear.
OEM are the only ones I've been able to find in a vacuum style that will work.
A pingel or simple on off type may work fine and be cheaper... Just don't ever forget to shut it off when the bike is off or you'll have a crankcase full of gas.
Click to expand...

The small lever petcocks were adopted in 1981, on most models anyway. Regardless, best to measure the mounting hole center to center distance to be sure the petcock will work.
 
MikesChevelle said:
not exactly, both spouts face forward on mine.



So a new OEM one will be vacuum, that sounds sweet, I guess I get those from suzuki??
Click to expand...
Order it online from an OEM vendor. See BassCliff's list of vendors, go to their websites, and compare prices, shipping included. You will be surprised at the variance of prices for the same part. Also a good time to pick up any assorted OEM parts you may need or want.
 
The previous owner installed an in line on/off valve on one of the two fuel line off the PC. I am how ever getting a small leak from either the PC its self or the second line that does not have a valve on it. The leak seems to be an external one and not leaking into the engine (hopefully)

Im sure the answer is to just get a whole new system but just wanted to ask if this should "hold up" for a week or so or should I bench the bike until its fixed
 
TheCafeKid said:
Unfortunately last I looked on Z1 the petcock designs they carry for the GS only work for the 82 and on models with the small lever. The spout faces to the rear on those bikes as does the petcock z1 carries. The older type face to the front of the bike and there isn't room between the tank and the frame down turn rails to face the petcock to the rear.
OEM are the only ones I've been able to find in a vacuum style that will work.
A pingel or simple on off type may work fine and be cheaper... Just don't ever forget to shut it off when the bike is off or you'll have a crankcase full of gas.
Click to expand...

What you need to do to get the aftermarket petcock to work on a '79:

I think part of the problem is that the kits aren't really put together well. K&L seems to have a philosophy of packaging a bunch of parts that 'kinda sorta' work for most ish models, and vaguely labeling them. Or something....

You can try a kit, if it works it's your cheapest route. You can buy an OEM petcock for most models, for around $70-$80 that will bolt right in. You can buy a Pingel which a lot of people like, but it's not a vacuum petcock and you have to remember to turn it off every time. You can also do what I ended up doing and buy an aftermarket vacuum unit for around $50 from Z-1, which for me required switching the fuel line fitting from the right side to the left (requires a drill bit, a steady hand, a vise, and something like JB Weld to seal the old hole) and filing a fraction of an inch from the pickup tube opening in the tank (using round file) to accommodate the slightly larger non of center fuel pickup.

Here's a link to info/advice and options from Z-1 http://www.z1enterprises.com/reference/petcock.aspx
Click to expand...

A link to the thread that this post was taken from. It's post number 14. The brilliant one. :p

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=177279&highlight=petcock+file+drill+Weld

OEM is probably ultimately the easiest and most headache route to take, and worth the extra cash over aftermarket - if you HAVE the cash. When I converted mine I had no cash, and an aftermarket unit already sitting in front of me. With my memory the way it isn't, I'd never use a Pingel.
 
Nessism said:
The small lever petcocks were adopted in 1981, on most models anyway. Regardless, best to measure the mounting hole center to center distance to be sure the petcock will work.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Never owned an 81 of any model. Had 80s (old style) and 82s and beyond (new style) so was sure by 82 they'd all switched.
The pic he has show later is definitely old style.
Just be glad you don't have that silly '80 "no lever" one. What a goofy idea.
 
The exception with petcock styles mentioned above is, of course, the model the o.p. is talking about.

The 19080-1981 GS850G and GS1000G models retained the old style, large lever petcocks. I've never found an aftermarket source for these, and they are big $$$$ from Suzuki.

I found an NOS one on ebay for $40, so I bought it for a spare. These go for $80-$90 from a Suzuki dealer.
 
I apologize for my confusion, but what do i need for a 81 GS850, there seem to be many options
 
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