Petcock Integrity

[ddeboer]

Hi, I have a 1983 GS1100E and I am curious if anyone has had a petcock fail on them while their bike was parked. My concern is that when my bike is parked in the garage (esp during winter storage) that it is possible for a petcock to fail thereby causing a gas spill. Thankyou.

[kparkfan]

I had that problem after storing my bike last winter. Got a new petcock and it didn't help the problem. So something had to of happened to the tank while it was stored over the winter. Still not sure what happened.

[ddeboer]

kparkfan

Did you end up with a gas spill? Did the tank empty or just a small amount of leakage

[kparkfan]

I was just a small leak but one that got all over the side of my motor and bad enough that i didn't feel safe riding it.

How old is your petcock. If its the original petcock. it my be time for a new one. Is there gas in your oil?

[sedelen]

I've never had a leak from my '82 GS1100E petcock. I did have the carbs leak when I left the petcock in "Prime."
Although the parts fische doesn't show it, I do believe there's a seal behind the lever like on my GS1000 petcock. That one did leak in cold weather, the seal shrank do to the cold, so I replaced it. I don't see that option for the '82/'83 petcock, other than to replace it.
I would just make sure all your lines are tight as well as the bolts that secure the petcock, then keep an eye on it.