Can;t get teh gas out of my GS1000L

[Guest]

I have a gs 1000L 1979. I took the gas tank off the frame to bondo and paint but it is filled with gas. The bike was running fine before I took the tank off and there were no fuel issues. Now I want to get the gas out to paint it but for some reason when I turn the petcock on the bottom of the tank to "reserve" or "on" nothing happens..the gas doesn't come out.

any thoughts on how I can get the gas out short of turning the tank upside down and it draining out everywhere? thx in advance

[recycled64]

Try 'prime' if you got it.

[tom203]

Just remove the whole petcock assembly- you'll do a better paint job and, as a bonus, you can clean/inspect petcock filter.

[Tim Tom]

Your petcock is vacuum operated. Meaning it won't flow without suction. Setting it to prime by-passes this and allows fuel to trickle into the carbs to ease first start ups after sitting.

The best way to get the tank out would be to remove the petcock. Or if you don't want to do this for some reason, you can siphon it out the top using a hose and a pump.

[chuck hahn]

longer fuel line on petcock to a 5 gallon can and set to prime...wait about 8 tom 10 minutes. Be mindfull thatb there will still be maybe 1/2 pint or less still that wont fully drain. I just remove the petcock once it all stops and swish the tank around over a pile of old rags to shake that last few drops out.

[speedorchid]

Ok...thanks...removing the petcock it is......Any good place to buy a new one if this one is all busted up once removed? Toronto Canada or online? thanks again.

[tom203]

Ok...thanks...removing the petcock it is......Any good place to buy a new one if this one is all busted up once removed? Toronto Canada or online? thanks again.

Since it wasn't flowing in on or res ( cuz no suction), your petcock might be OK. remove one screw and gas will pour out! then remove other screw and inspect. New petcock- fifty to eighty dollars.

[Pendulum]

longer fuel line on petcock to a 5 gallon can and set to prime...wait about 8 tom 10 minutes. Be mindfull thatb there will still be maybe 1/2 pint or less still that wont fully drain. I just remove the petcock once it all stops and swish the tank around over a pile of old rags to shake that last few drops out.

8 to 10 minutes? I had to wait a 1/2 hour for my tank to drain like a 1.75 gallons.

[GateKeeper]

While draining, open the top of the tank as well, it will allow more air in at once.....and allow the gas to flow as fast as it can

or

get a big 5 gallon bucket, take off the gas cap and pour out the gas that way, once its all out, pour the gas from the bucket into a proper gas container, or your lawnmower, snowblower, etc.....

[speedorchid]

Removing the petcock was the best. It still spilled a little on my neighbour who insisted on helping me in his suit as he drove home from work. ha ha.

did it at the end of the drive so all good....thanks
sanded



primed


painted:


turned out amazing....but still have to put on a top coat.