petcock

[Guest]

Hi all,

My '80 1100L came with a petcock without a handle/knob/tab/whatever it's called. There's a slot in there - looks like I could turn it with a small flathead screwdriver. It's set to on, and I've honestly never had any good reason (yet) to turn it. But I want it to be right.

I went on G&S Suzuki's site to order a new petcock, and their diagram shows a petcock which looks just like mine - no tab.

Anyone know how mine should look?

Apologies - another rookie question....

AB

[srg]

Yep. My OEM petcock also has no valve/knob. They're the vacuum-type petcocks. There's a tube running from one of the carb bodies (#3, iirc) to the petcock. When a vacuum is applied, it opens the petcock valve automatically to let fuel flow. No vacuum, no flow (if it's working correctly...).

The small slot is for moving to the the prime position. That is only used to prime your carbs if the bowls are empty. It's like an override to open the valve, essentially. If you do ever use it, REMEMBER to turn it back! Else you'll flood your carbs/engine with fuel.

[Steve]

My '80 1100L came with a petcock without a handle/knob/tab/whatever it's called. There's a slot in there - looks like I could turn it with a small flathead screwdriver. It's set to on, and I've honestly never had any good reason (yet) to turn it. But I want it to be right.

I went on G&S Suzuki's site to order a new petcock, and their diagram shows a petcock which looks just like mine - no tab.

Anyone know how mine should look?

Sorry about your luck, but you have the "dreaded '80 petcock".

There were some serious clearance issues, so Suzuki chose to go with a leverless, low-profile unit.

Make sure you know which way is RUN and which way is PRIme. I don't have one so I don't know for sure, but I think that with the slot horizontal ( -- ) is RUN and vertical ( | ) is PRIme.

You should also know that the PRIme feature on that petcock operates a little different than the rest. On the others, when you turn the lever to PRIme, fuel flows NOW. On yours, when you turn it to PRIme, you have to give it a 'puff' of vacuum to start the fuel flowing, then it will continue until you move it back to RUN or fuel runs out.

Probably the most important thing to remember about that petcock, though, is that THERE IS NO RESERVE POSITION.

There's a tube running from one of the carb bodies (#3, iirc) to the petcock.

Actually, it is on the #2 carb.

Cylinders are numbered from left to right, #1 is under your clutch hand, #4 is under your throttle hand.

All references to left/right are made as if you are sitting on the bike, ready to ride.

.

[Agemax]

Yep. My OEM petcock also has no valve/knob. They're the vacuum-type petcocks.

All GS petcocks are vacuum type, even the ones with a lever.

[A-train]

Sorry about your luck, but you have the "dreaded '80 petcock".

There were some serious clearance issues, so Suzuki chose to go with a leverless, low-profile unit.

Make sure you know which way is RUN and which way is PRIme. I don't have one so I don't know for sure, but I think that with the slot horizontal ( -- ) is RUN and vertical ( | ) is PRIme.

You should also know that the PRIme feature on that petcock operates a little different than the rest. On the others, when you turn the lever to PRIme, fuel flows NOW. On yours, when you turn it to PRIme, you have to give it a 'puff' of vacuum to start the fuel flowing, then it will continue until you move it back to RUN or fuel runs out.

Probably the most important thing to remember about that petcock, though, is that THERE IS NO RESERVE POSITION.




Actually, it is on the #2 carb.

Cylinders are numbered from left to right, #1 is under your clutch hand, #4 is under your throttle hand.

All references to left/right are made as if you are sitting on the bike, ready to ride.

.

Thanks guys. Makes sense.

So, with no reserve, I should realistically be able to run through 3-1/2 gallons or so before refueling (4 gal tank)...? I usually refill at around 2.4-2.6 gallons. Gas gauge shows E by that point, but I always know I've got more. What I didn't know till now is that the 'more' is available without going to reserve, which I never saw on my petcock anyway.

[mrbill5491]

All GS petcocks are vacuum type, even the ones with a lever.

Yes you are right, though the 80/81 petcock is the suckiest one of all.

[mrbill5491]

Hi all,

My '80 1100L came with a petcock without a handle/knob/tab/whatever it's called. There's a slot in there - looks like I could turn it with a small flathead screwdriver. It's set to on, and I've honestly never had any good reason (yet) to turn it. But I want it to be right.

I went on G&S Suzuki's site to order a new petcock, and their diagram shows a petcock which looks just like mine - no tab.

Anyone know how mine should look?

Apologies - another rookie question....

AB

It's (shivers) the right one.

[Rover]

The only good thing about them is that they are cheap.A new one one EBay can be had for around 50$.

[A-train]

But I should/have to stick with the type I have, right?

You guys have me worried! Why are they so bad? What's the common failure?

[loud et]

Thanks guys. Makes sense.

So, with no reserve, I should realistically be able to run through 3-1/2 gallons or so before refueling (4 gal tank)...? I usually refill at around 2.4-2.6 gallons. Gas gauge shows E by that point, but I always know I've got more. What I didn't know till now is that the 'more' is available without going to reserve, which I never saw on my petcock anyway.

Well My 1100E with lever less petcock gets 180 miles per tank.
I've run her out a few times. So I know at 150 to get gas.
Don't sweat the petcock.....just buy the 45$ one on e bay. I've had no problems with it and others have used it also.
Keep riding and it will work fine.
Sitting bikes get gummed up fast.

[A-train]

Well My 1100E with lever less petcock gets 180 miles per tank.
I've run her out a few times. So I know at 150 to get gas.
Don't sweat the petcock.....just buy the 45$ one on e bay. I've had no problems with it and others have used it also.
Keep riding and it will work fine.
Sitting bikes get gummed up fast.

Thanks - just the info I was looking for.

[Steve]

Yes you are right, though the 80/81 petcock is the suckiest one of all.

Nope, just the '80.

.

[A-train]

Nope, just the '80.

.

Just my luck.

So again, what sucks so bad about it? What should I expect? Not having any problems yet...

[grana]

1980 petcock

Here you go

[Steve]

Just my luck.

So again, what sucks so bad about it? What should I expect? Not having any problems yet...

Nothing is really "bad" about it, just that it was a one-year-wonder, and we wonder why they used it for that one year.

It is a bit inconvenient because you need a tool to use the PRIme setting, but if you ride often enough, you shouldn't need to use it, and then there is the fact that you have no REServe setting.

Because you have no reserve setting, I would spend some time to fill the tank, then drain it into a can that will show you quantity. Watch the gauge as the tank is draining into the can, so you can learn how much is in the tank at various point on the gauge. Or you can drain the tank and take it to the gas station. Fill the tank very slowly, watching the gauge as the tank is filled. One method will directly show you fuel used, the other will show you fuel remaining.

.