'80 550E Petcock leaking fuel from vacuum line

[Guest]

Can someone point me to the master thread for petcock issues. I recall getting advice to replace these petcocks rather than rebuild them. Is this the best advice? So two questions:

1) Is OEM ($85 from Boulevard) my best bet? Is there any point in purchasing a rebuild kit and trying my luck?

2) I'd really like to ditch the vacuum mechanism all together. Does anyone do this, and if so, is Pingel the only good replacement? I'd like to get something less expensive, but I don't want to cheap out and have to fix the problem again.

Again, if this thread already exists, kindly point me in the right direction. I searched a couple times.

[tom203]

Do you have lever style petcock? 44 mm bolt centerline spacing? If yes, Z1 has two models that should work; one for $50 has less reserve capacity, in this link...

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Petcock+%28vacuum%29+Suzuki&item=KL18-4359

These petcocks are likely made in Japan- chances are good that a suzuki OEM would be made in same factory.

Honestly, rebuilding petcocks seems iffy. I like the vacuum ones (when they work ! )

[850 Combat]

I believe that Pingle is quality goods. I also recall that Z1 sold the parts required to adapt a Pingle on to various Japanese bikes.

[Ira]

Do you have lever style petcock? 44 mm bolt centerline spacing? If yes, Z1 has two models that should work; one for $50 has less reserve capacity, in this link...

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Petcock+%28vacuum%29+Suzuki&item=KL18-4359

These petcocks are likely made in Japan- chances are good that a suzuki OEM would be made in same factory.

Honestly, rebuilding petcocks seems iffy. I like the vacuum ones (when they work ! )

Mine is lever operated. It measures pretty close to 44, center to center. Maybe I'm getting a bad reading, but it almost looks like 42 or 43? I need to take a closer look. What other size would it be on a 550? I seem to recall two different petcocks on them at least...

It looks like this, if a picture is of any use.

[Ira]

I re-measured, and my '80 GS550E petcock bolt center-to-center spacing is definitely 44mm.

I was able to get an exact number without removing the petcock by measuring the inside of the bolt heads (34mm) and then the outside (54mm) and splitting the difference.

So thank you, I'll be picking up one of those replacements from Z1, one of my favorite suppliers to support!

[tom203]

Your petcock has outlets facing forward ??- Z1 units face rear- so might be problem, I can't tell. Somewhere on here, I've seen your style petcock (with handy drain screw)- maybe someone will remember.

[Ira]

Your petcock has outlets facing forward ??- Z1 units face rear- so might be problem, I can't tell. Somewhere on here, I've seen your style petcock (with handy drain screw)- maybe someone will remember.

Fuel faces inward, vacuum faces forward. It wouldn't be the end of the world to route slightly longer lines to accommodate the aftermarket , but I'd prefer to maintain the same orientation. I wonder if the rear-facing fuel barb would run into the frame?

[Ira]

Any experts out there? In other words, does anyone know if the petcock from Z1 will require weird routing or interfere with the frame?

If I can't use it, it seems like the price difference between OEM and a Pingel is not very much (the cost of an adapter plate).

[chef1366]

The Z1 petcock will work. Just don't pinch the fuel and vacuum line when you attach the tank.

[Ira]

ok, i ordered it. i'll post some pictures with the routing.

[Ira]

The Z1 unit worked fine, by the way. The fuel and vacuum line are a bit longer, but they do the job. I no longer have fuel leaking into my vacuum line.