What is this screw on the petcock? 1980 GS550e

[Guest]

I'll try to get a pic posted when I get home, but there is a flathead screw to the right of the RES/ON lever. Is this a flow adjustment screw? I'm trying to figure oit why it's flooding. Have checked float levels and the diaphram is ok in the petcock.

[gustovh]

The screw should be horizontal, it is your prime, vertically it is open and allows constant fuel flow. Shut it off if it is not.

V

[n8_dawg_77]

If that is what has kept me from riding since I got it last summer, I'm gunna b ****ed! Lol. Thanks gustovh.

[JTGS850GL]

The dreaded 1980 petcock!!! The petcocks on these bike is known to fail and the 1980 version is even more mysterious. As stated above, the screw converts from "on" to "prime" as indicated. The prime function is a little strange though since it doesn't flow gas unless there is an initial vacuum applied to the vacuum line. Once the petcock receives vacuum it will continue to flow gas even after the vacuum is removed. In the on position it will stop flowing once it looses the vacuum signal. I wasn't aware that the 550E came with those. I thought the 550L did but the 550E came with a more conventional hand lever petcock.

[tom203]

Test your dreaded petcock for correct operation or just get new one from this guy and rule it out as problem
note centerline spacing of mounting bolts -skip any rebuilding attempts

http://www.georgefixs.com/servlet/the-524/1980-GS550%2C-GS750%2C-GS850%2C/Detail

[n8_dawg_77]

Here is the pic.

[n8_dawg_77]

I have another pic but this site isn't real cellphone friendly. I'll see if I can put it on photo bucket and post a link...

[n8_dawg_77]

Could someone tell me if either of these links work?



<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/n8_dawg_77/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150119_161045_zps68e5txtf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1/n8_dawg_77/Mobile%20Uploads/20150119_161045_zps68e5txtf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150119_161045_zps68e5txtf.jpg"/></a>

[n8_dawg_77]

Nevermind. Theres the pic of the screw.

[eil]

I see the pics but that is not a GS petcock, so no idear what's going on with that.

EDIT 2: Well, I skimmed through the service manual and the petcock in there looks similar but doesn't have that screw. If your bike is a 1980, it might have come with the "dreaded" 1980 petcock from the factory.

[JTGS850GL]

The 550E didn't use the one with the stupid screw. It was the conventional one like the one he posted a picture of. This all assumes that the tank is stock. If it were me and mine looked that bad I would do as Charles said and just replace the entire petcock assembly and be done with it.

[n8_dawg_77]

So ur sayin someone replaced the dreaded petcock with this one that came from who knows where? Lol

[JTGS850GL]

No, just saying that your particular model didn't use the dreaded screw ONLY petcock. The one you showed is a conventional petcock that was used for your model/year. Just get a replacement petcock for your specific model and you should be good to go.