Petcock rebuild kit question

[Douge489]

1st off, Hello folks!. =D Closet browser, 1st time poster..haha.

2ndly, I just purchased my 1st motorcycle. Shes a 1977 GS400. After giving her a good once over, Ive discovered that the petcock is bad. After a bit of googling and such, Ive found quite a few rebuilt kits online. The only thing is..most of the kits differentiate on what pieces are included and im not entirely sure what is and is not needed to properly rebuilt the petcock.

I was basically wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction as to what pieces I should make sure are in the kit? Trying to get her back on the road asap and I dont want to end up needing a piece or something to complete the job that wasnt included in the kit.

Any advice, links, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

D.

 

[jwhelan65]

I would buy a new petcock and be done with it, kits are a PIA

And welcome to GSR!!!

 

[Nessism]

Most rebuild kits I've seen are incomplete. I suggest you tear down your petcock and take an inventory of the parts before shopping.

 

[Steve]

Not sure just why, but the success rate for rebuilding a petcock seems to be about 10-15%.

Thankfully, I have never had to do anything but clean one out, but would find it VERY frustrating to spend a buch of money on a "rebuild kit" only to have it fail, then spend even more money on a new petcock. Just skip the kit, go straight to the new petcock, don't worry about it for another 25-30 years.

 

[Nessism]

Not sure just why, but the success rate for rebuilding a petcock seems to be about 10-15%.

Thankfully, I have never had to do anything but clean one out, but would find it VERY frustrating to spend a buch of money on a "rebuild kit" only to have it fail, then spend even more money on a new petcock. Just skip the kit, go straight to the new petcock, don't worry about it for another 25-30 years.

Yea but that's a $250 petcock... http://www.partshark.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Suzuki&partnumber=44300-44011

 

[linuxrick]

Yes, same with my bike, it was not cheap to replace the petcock. I opted for a repair kit on Z1 (http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1508) and it seemed to fix my problem. Time will tell how it holds up.

Yea but that's a $250 petcock... http://www.partshark.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Suzuki&partnumber=44300-44011

 

[jeffasaurus2]

I have a 450, bought the rebuild kit from Old Bike Barn for $26, not a problem yet. Its all quality parts and I really see no reason it wouldn't work.

 

[cal_look_zero]

+1 on a successful petcock rebuild. Bought the kit from Z1. Set the tank at an angle with the valve in the "on" position over a piece of cardboard. One drip in 3 days.

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Douge489,

I usually encourage the purchase of a new petcock. But for that kind of money, I'd try a rebuild kit first too.

Anyway, let me dump a TON if information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Atlas]

I purchased a petcock rebuild kit for mine , I'm not sure if yours would be the same . I would say go with the kit , I found it very simple to rebuild and haven't had a problem yet. If your fussy and keep it clean it should be no problem.

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum! Another twin is always welcome for sure

I think at that price the repair kit definitely sounds like the first step!

 

[Hodado]

My vote is to replace the petcock,I bought rebuild kit,installed what matched up,never seemed to pull the fuel right,bought a oem and it works great.kits suck

 

[Steve]

Yea but that's a $250 petcock...

Not if you get it from Alpha. :-k

Get it from them, it's $347.37.

.

 

[Allie]

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

 

[davidduarte]

1st off, Hello folks!. =D Closet browser, 1st time poster..haha.

2ndly, I just purchased my 1st motorcycle. Shes a 1977 GS400. After giving her a good once over, Ive discovered that the petcock is bad. After a bit of googling and such, Ive found quite a few rebuilt kits online. The only thing is..most of the kits differentiate on what pieces are included and im not entirely sure what is and is not needed to properly rebuilt the petcock.

I was basically wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction as to what pieces I should make sure are in the kit? Trying to get her back on the road asap and I dont want to end up needing a piece or something to complete the job that wasnt included in the kit.

Any advice, links, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

D.

from Basscliff's mega welcome: "13) Install new petcock, since I'm going to head to the roof with a rifle if I have to read about yet another #2 plug fouling and failed hillbilly attempts to rebuild the petcock and/or deny there's a problem."

 

[davidduarte]

wow, I just checked Bikebandit, and they want over $300 for the petcock on your bike! I wonder if the petcock from a 450 would work with your bike. I'll have to look and see if I still have the old one from my bike. If I do, I can measure it and post the dimensions. A new one for the 450 is only around $50. It only has 2 positions, on and reserve, no prime.

 

[davidduarte]

man, I'm glad I replaced my petcock last year. I paid around 45 or 50 for it, but it's now up to $90!

 

[davidduarte]

just checked on Z1, they have a better price, around $55 for the 450. It says the bolt spacing is 44 mm. Measure the spacing on the petcock screw holes, because if they are 44 mm apart, in theory anyway, the petcock from the 450 should work.

 

[Gonzo]

For that price, what are prices running for tanks on flea bay? (too lazy to look myself)

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

BB lists one for my 850 for $92 not bad. I paid $67 for one on a BB sale