• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Petcock questions and concerns.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lankarge
  • Start date Start date
L

Lankarge

Guest
I recently purchased a 1980 Suzuki GS750L. Im still fairly new to bikes and this is only my second one. It needed the standard stuff, new oil, air filter, oil filter, and tires. Im looking at this petcock and I've never seen one like this before.
DSCF0256.jpg
So here are my questions:

1) Why is there no tap lever? Are they not needed on these petcocks? Every one I've seen on Ebay by K&L advertise them without tap levers even looking at the OEM parts.
2) It appear to be set to Prime. Have I been flooding the thing?
3) What are the positions for this petcock? Is straight up and down the "on" position, and slightly to the left is "prime"? Is there a reserve?
4) Could I just use a screwdriver to change the position?
5) I cant upload a 2nd picture but the 2 hoses in the back seem to have fuel (?) on them so I'm thinking there is a leak somewhere.

Thanks. Im still fairly new to all this so take it easy :)
 
Search out Basscliff's website and download yourself a manual. Details about how the petcock functions are contained within.
 
Nessism said:
Search out Basscliff's website and download yourself a manual. Details about how the petcock functions are contained within.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
tom203 said:
The 1980 dreaded leverless petcock! New to you bike? figure it has failed or is about to. Others will explain how it works, but this guy will sell you new one, so you know it's good and you can move on to other maintenance issues ASAP.

http://www.georgefixs.com/servlet/the-524/1980-GS550,-GS750,-GS850,/Detail
Click to expand...
Haha yeah. Even my dad thought it was broken and he is not new to motorcycles. Picked up the bike for $800 and it had 12,000 miles but the new parts (and side panels because those were stolen) cost me another $600. I think I'll get a new one I'm just not sure I want to shell out the $50 right now. But better to be safe then sorry. No other big maintenance issues right now but I'll have the carbs clean in the winter.
 
Alright I found the tap leverless petcock in a GS1000 manual. Have to change it with a screwdriver. It seems that my petcock was set in the "prime" position but I dont think that will be a problem because the bike has been sitting. (I really really hope so) Hopefully I havent caused any damage. I've only ran the bike to test ride and to ride it up the driveway. Waiting for the tires to come then I can almost ride!
 
Lankarge said:
Alright I found the tap leverless petcock in a GS1000 manual. Have to change it with a screwdriver. It seems that my petcock was set in the "prime" position but I dont think that will be a problem because the bike has been sitting. (I really really hope so) Hopefully I havent caused any damage. I've only ran the bike to test ride and to ride it up the driveway. Waiting for the tires to come then I can almost ride!
Click to expand...

If your petcock was set in the prime position when parked and it had gas in the tank (did it?), you stand a good chance you have fuel in the oil now. Pull your oil cap and check to see if you can smell any gas from the opening. If you do, set the petcock off prime ASAP. AND drain your oil and replace it with new oil and oil filter. Gas in oil is serious. Only time when you really want to use prime is when the bike has set for a bit and the gas evaporated out of the fuel bowls (yes it can evaporate), set the petcock on prime for a few minutes to fill the fuel bowls back up, then set the petcock back into its normal running setting. Just a note, might wanna pull the spark plugs and spin the motor a few times to make sure there isn't any gas left in the cylinders.
 
mrbill5491 said:
If your petcock was set in the prime position when parked and it had gas in the tank (did it?), you stand a good chance you have fuel in the oil now. Pull your oil cap and check to see if you can smell any gas from the opening. If you do, set the petcock off prime ASAP. AND drain your oil and replace it with new oil and oil filter. Gas in oil is serious. Only time when you really want to use prime is when the bike has set for a bit and the gas evaporated out of the fuel bowls (yes it can evaporate), set the petcock on prime for a few minutes to fill the fuel bowls back up, then set the petcock back into its normal running setting. Just a note, might wanna pull the spark plugs and spin the motor a few times to make sure there isn't any gas left in the cylinders.
Click to expand...
It only has a little bit of gas in it. I wont take the risk anyways. I planned on changing the oil and will do it this week. Got a new oil filter coming already. I'll pull the spark plugs tomorrow to make sure. Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top