Fuel Cock for 1983 GS550e?

[GSLou]

I'm planning some maintenance on my new-to-me 1983 GS550e. I'm new to this so I read all the newbie advice; top 10 mistakes, carb rebuild tutorials, etc.

I've identified 2 (maybe 3) tasks that need to been tackled to get the bike running well. 1. adjust the valves and 2. clean the carbs. I was also going to replace the Fuel Cock. I've checked the websites for Z1, G&S Suzuki, and Boulevard Suzuki but it appears that the fuel cock is not available. Any thoughts on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Lou

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. GSLou,

It might be helpful to give Z1 Enterprises a call on the phone, or maybe an email. They have a lot of parts available that are not listed on their website.

And now, just because I can't help myself, here's the S.W.A.G.

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips, procedures, manuals, etc, in the links below. Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of 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. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. 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

[GSLou]

Thanks BassCliff

BassCliff,

I've already got your website and the mega welcome bookmarked. It's a fantastic resource. Thanks for assembling and maintaining it! Unfortunately, there seems to be a little less information available on the GS that I own.

I'll take your advice and give Z1 a call.

L

[JEEPRUSTY]

What is wrong with your petcock that you need to rebuild or replace it?

[Mightypns]

Why not just rebuild it if yours is intact?
Z1 have kits.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Petcock+Kit+Suzuki&item=KL18-4344

[GSLou]

JEEPRUSTY and Mightypns,

Those are good questions/comments. I'm not sure that I need to. I'm following the advice from the GS greeting page that BassCliff posted(http://members.dslextreme.com/users/..._Greeting.html). Here it is with the important stuff highlighted.

**********Quoted from Mr. bwringer************
Every GS850 [and most other models] has (or had) a set of well-known issues that MUST be addressed before you have a solid baseline for further troubleshooting. It's a vintage bike, and it's quite common (as in, every single GS850 I have had contact with) that there are multiple problems that have crept up and slowly gotten worse over the years. It's not like a newer vehicle, where there's generally one problem at a time.

These common issues are:

1. Intake O-rings
....
7. Petcock (install a NEW one)

What I have noticed at the rallies is that very, very few 850Gs are actually running right. Make VERY sure it's actually running the way it's supposed to before busting out the modifications.

AND

Brian's E-Z and fun plan for GS850 happiness:

1) Seal the airbox and air filter with weatherstripping.
.....

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.

What do you think?

I'll look into the Z1 rebuild kit.

Thanks for reading.

L

[JEEPRUSTY]

It is likely a waste of money. If it works then do not replace it.
You should at least test it in action first.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

You certainly want to test your petcock first. I still have the original petcock on my bike.

Or you can just replace it and not worry about it for another 20 years or so. But there's no use spending money you don't have to.

That maintenance list assumes the worst. If it leaks or you had a #2 plug fouling all the time I would consider a new petcock. Rebuild kits sometimes work, sometimes don't.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[GSLou]

Petcock tested (I think)

Thanks for the advice. I tested the petcock and I think it's OK. Here's what I did.

Disconnected the fuel line out and vacuum line. Turned petcock to prime and gas came out. Turned to reserve and gas stopped. Applied vacuum and gas came out. So I think we're good? Anything I'm missing?

Thanks for your help!

L

[JEEPRUSTY]

Yes it works
you just saved half a tire