petcock variations??

[snowbeard]

so how different are the holes and placements of our petcocks? i have an 80GS850L that needs a new one, and there is a 79 GS850 on ebay (if you have that bid, let me know!!) with the tank sending unit, think they would be interchangeable?

any ideas on the size, shape, model # for a pingel for my bike? just in case...

[bjrehill]

I think the petcock holes were in a different place from the 79 to the 80. In 80 suzuki went with the CV carbs. I think the mount holes are different. They needed more space to fit the carbs in.

[snowbeard]

cool, thanks!

[Ghostgs1]

Hi Snowbeard, I encountered a similar situation when I replaced my tank with a later model's. Found out that prior to 1980 models bolt spacing is 44mm after 1980 51mm. Suzuki supposedly makes one in each size that is a universal fit, but I went with the Pingel. If you go to their website you'll find they have many choices for shapes and finish. I got the chrome, round, smooth, 3/8", and I am very happy with it, no vacuum shut off but you get in the routine pretty quickly.

[chuckycheese]

Check

Do a search for "pingel project completed"....include all terms. It will bring up a number of posts by me and others and that will help you, I hope. By the way, the adapter plate is 50mm. The piece of crap Suzuki put on the 1980 models was "one of a kind" and they learned their lesson in one short year .

[arveejay]

Re: Check

Not to start an argument but, I prefer the petcock that is on the 80-81 850s as stock to any other petcock on the planet. OK, so they leak after sitting in a carport being unused for 15 years, what else works as intended if left to dry out, get hot, then cool off everyday for 15 years? Everybody knows and gives no second thought to replacing carb O Rings that have sat for the same amount of time, or the ORings that sits between the intakes, it's an automatic to do thing. Suzuki reccomends replacing brake hoses bi-annually because rubber rots out over time. Any rubber will rot if neglected. When I bought my 1100 it was flowing gas to no. 2 cyl as the petcock diaphram was shot and gas leaking by. The petcock rebuild kits are cheap and usually don't work, so I never even considered that as an option. I ordered a genuine Suzuki replacement from BikeBandit $60.00 and 5 days later it was mounted and working just like the Japanese intended. 1 year later would I do it again,? Definately, I would never consider any alternative. Have only used prime 1 time, worked perfectly, always leave it at on setting and never leaks a drop not to mention the fact that I don't have to remember to shut the fuel flow off when I PARK IT. You obviously will do whatever makes you more comfortable as will I, but I can't imagine buying a petcock that I have to remember to shut off, a mounting plate so the petcock will bolt to my tank, and losing the amount of space required to mount it on the tank. The older I get, the lazier I get, and the memory has been fading for years, I'll go with original everytime.

Do a search for "pingel project completed"....include all terms. It will bring up a number of posts by me and others and that will help you, I hope. By the way, the adapter plate is 50mm. The piece of crap Suzuki put on the 1980 models was "one of a kind" and they learned their lesson in one short year .

[chuckycheese]

Great

Great...go for it.

(and if you ever need another one....I'm sure you'll have no problem finding a few cheap ones from guys on the forum (me included). :P

BTW...life is way too short to argue about petcocks.

[rphillips]

Why argue? just state your opinion. I will never own a manual pet cock, as long as I can find a vacuum style. But for the people who want the manual ones, I'm glad they are available for you. Seems like all of us should be happy.

[chuckycheese]

Happy?

Sounds as though some of us may be happier than others....... :roll:

Also....so many people don't realize that the reason the '80 petcocks are so disliked is not only because the vacuum feature fails so easily... another huge disadvantage is that they don't have a reserve.