1978 GS 1000 - Video Tech Support Request

[Big T]

Update from the field:
Correct me if I'm wrong - if you pull the drain plugs out of the carbs and there is no gas flowing from the drain plugs - the petcock is not leaking. Right?
Pulled the #3 (suspected to be the problem cylinder) drain plug and flushed about a pint of gas through it with the petcock on Prime.
Fired engine - seemed to run better - took on short test ride to empty parking lot facing towards a river - revved engine up much further than allowed in my driveway (noise complaints and all -trying to avoid them) engine still popping at high revs - but - not nearly as badly - throttle response much improved - power seemed improved as well - actually stepped out a little on loose gravel when I got into it.
Here are my thoughts as I dash out the door to a customer and take the bike on a longer test ride doing so: The petcock is fine - the changes in the oil level are the difference between my Father's driveway and mine - if I drain the carbs I'll be fine or should at least reevaluate.
Thoughts???
-Joey (smiling!)

Still not paying attention

[Octain]

I just checked and the price has come down - about $80 now. Part# 44300-45011

Oh wow.. I might need to buy one now.
Even though I dont know the condtion of the three used ones I already have.

[SandPVRR]

Update again - Took bike on a 10 mile test spin - 5 miles out - five miles back - once up to temperature, performance was much improved. Will be draining the other three carbs and will advise.
-Joey

[Rover]

I just checked and the price has come down - about $80 now. Part# 44300-45011

Ed, Is that stock # for the 1000? or 750

[sedelen]

I just checked and the price has come down - about $80 now. Part# 44300-45011

Wow, I just checked the fische at Boulevard Suzuki, they do NOT list the petcock separately, so I assumed it was unavailable. So I did a reverse
search putting the 44300-45011 part no. and a petcock did pop up, the price $77.57.
Now I have been looking long and hard for a serviceable pet cock, mine works perfectly but it has the wrong filter element, doesn't allow all the gas to drain from the tank and I can't budge it to replace it with 3 other petcock filters that are correct. But........... I finally had success in rebuilding 2 of the 3 leaking petcocks, so now I don't need one!

[Nessism]

Ed, Is that stock # for the 1000? or 750

Oh wow, you are right! That's the 750 part number. The 1000 part number is still priced though the roof. Sorry for the misinformation.

The proper part number is Part# 44300-44011

[sedelen]

Think we might've scared Joey away! and now this thread has become the "Where can I find a new '78, '79 GS1000 petcock" As far as Z1 goes I checked and I couldn't find one. Becoming harder to find one of these than a seat, mufflers, or tank.

[Rover]

Think we might've scared Joey away! and now this thread has become the "Where can I find a new '78, '79 GS1000 petcock" As far as Z1 goes I checked and I couldn't find one. Becoming harder to find one of these than a seat, mufflers, or tank.

Hi, Try part# 18-4358 at Z-1 for GS1000 petcock.

[Nessism]

Think we might've scared Joey away!

Hope he doesn't short cut all the maintenance, such as valve adjust, and wind up tearing up the bike, or worse, getting hurt when something like the brakes fail. We have offered him all kinds of good advice...the rest is up to him.

[hampshirehog]

Think we might've scared Joey away! and now this thread has become the "Where can I find a new '78, '79 GS1000 petcock" As far as Z1 goes I checked and I couldn't find one. Becoming harder to find one of these than a seat, mufflers, or tank.

£92.91 here: http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/

They'll knock 10% off for members of various clubs.

[sedelen]

Hope he doesn't short cut all the maintenance, such as valve adjust, and wind up tearing up the bike, or worse, getting hurt when something like the brakes fail. We have offered him all kinds of good advice...the rest is up to him.

You know it's got to be a bit overwhelming, having a newly acquired bike with what appears to be a small problem, and finding out that the bike should have a complete going over to ensure it's roadworthy. These small problems take you in all kinds of directions when trying to quick fix them. My expericences with my '82 GS1100 and to a degree my '79 GS1000 is a testament to that. At least I had some knowledge from owning one in the past that really helped out.
This Skunk looks to be in really good condition, so at least he's got something decent to work with. Hope he fares better with the shop than I have. Boulevard Suzuki refused to work on my '82 GS1100E until the service manager checked with one of his older mechanics, as he said he didn't have any service manuals that went back that far. He said he never saw a bike like mine, asked me what it was, he looked fresh out of high school. I never checked back with them.
Another shop wanted $250 just to replace the O rings on the GS1000 intake boots with the stipulation, more if there were stuck screws.

[SandPVRR]

The Rumors of my being scared away are somewhat exaggerated....
Well folks - I can honestly say I'm now more scared of what this GS-1000 will cost me than ever.
Heres the update:
140 miles ago I did an oil change. (8 days) Today I checked the oil level - it was out of the glass. I bought two quarts and put both in. The level has not come up to the bottom of the glass.
In 140 miles she has burned over two quarts of oil. How much I'm not sure. At no point did it lose oil pressure - neither have I seen any evidence that the oil is leaking. My conclusion is that it is the rings and its burning it. This would be consistent with the slight oil smoke I've seen on start up and the black spark plugs.
I'm really really really really hoping that the bike I just got a loan to buy (and btw took most of my free money to afford) isn't going to need an entire engine overhaul. I honestly don't know if I could afford one.
Another piece of information: I ran it around today, about 10 miles total and although it never ran out of oil pressure, it apparently didn't have much oil in it either. I'm wondering how much damage has been done by that alone.
Thoughts?
-Joey

[IanC]

I'd think more along the lines of valve seals. Still a job but not as involved as rings. I actually have to pull my head and do this job soon. I've started burning a little oil.

[rustybronco]

Heres the update:
140 miles ago I did an oil change. (8 days) Today I checked the oil level - it was out of the glass. I bought two quarts and put both in. The level has not come up to the bottom of the glass.
In 140 miles she has burned over two quarts of oil. How much I'm not sure.

IF you burned two quarts of oil in 140 miles, you and everyone over the course of those 140 miles would know it. how about putting it up on the center stand and re-checking that oil level...

[Mith]

Perhaps the oil level is too high so you couldn't see the level in the sightglass? Adding 2 qts to it would have allowed you to see the level at some point unless it was over the sightglass.