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All summer the bike ran pretty darn well but not perfect. Rock solid idle and perfect running wide open, but - At mid-throttle openings, steady rpm's, the motor would "hunt" or hestitate and give me a rocking horse ride. I thought it was the carbs which I cleaned twice but with a kind of a 'lick a promise cleaning'. I figured I would tear them completely down this winter and chase this little bug when it's cold out and not as much fun to ride. Anyway, the problem got a lot worse this week so I figured it was time to pull the carbs off and check em out. While I was at it I pulled the plugs and notice the left plug was black and sooty (rich running) while the right plug was a nice brown/tan color. This is a twin, not a 4-cyl. So, I put some new plugs in. Backing up a little, I had previously tried to raise the fuel level in the bowls by adjusting the float level because on these BS34SS carbs the needles were already raised as far as they would go, they don't have the old-school 'clip and multiple groove" setup. So, I thought that might be my problem. But, I had set both carbs up the same and only the left side was running rich, so WTF? I set the left carb back to the previous float level (maybe a difference of 3mm tops). When I put the carbs back on I did my usual trick of sucking on the vacuum line to open the petcock and fill the bowls so the bike would start and lo and behold, got a mouthful of gas for my trouble. It never did that before. Ok, from the wealth of knowledge I have found here I know that I have a leaky petcock and the left cylinder is sucking in gas from the vacuum line. To confirm I plug the vacuum line on the carb and the bike runs like new for about a hundred yards till the carbs empty. My petcock says "On" and "Res", not PRIme like others. Isn't it supposed to allow fuel to flow on Reserve with or without vacuum? I pull the tank off (just filled it up, daggamit) and emptied most of it into my gas can and dumped the rest. Pulling the petcock apart I find a big thin metal washer-like thing on the vacuum side in pieces, and the diaphram in decent shape except for where it seals around the piston/plunger/valve thing. There's my leak. From another site (www.umgweb.com) I remember a story about how someone used superglue to "bodge" (jerry-rig) a cv carb diaphram since they were on a budget. So, out comes the superglue and I run a bead around the piston/plunger/valve thing on both sides, throw away the pieces of washer, let it dry and throw it back together. My bike is now running like a top, smooth stutter-free power available at any throttle position or rpm. Too bad I didn't get to this earlier this summer, but the bike was running pretty well, and it was riding time!! Anyway, none of this is earth-shattering news, but I thought I'd share that this particular petcock needs vacuum to flow fuel in either position. There is a screw that you can loosen that will allow gas to flow to empty it, but then it leaks from the screw while flowing fuel through the hose. Not useful for riding with a leaky petcock diaphram. SO, this little diaphram is a mission-critical item on my bike, a single point of failure that will cause running problems. Seems dumb to make what I consider a luxury item, an extra "bell or whistle", something that has to work right for the bike to run right. I guess I will be shopping for a petcock rebuild kit or a non-vacuum type petcock in the near future. Any sources? I have heard a name which I can't remember at the moment... Pingel ? I don't want to spend a ton of money for a petcock. How about a cheap non-vacuum type? Any suggestions?
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Buy a K&L petcock rebuild kit. From your dealer or check e-bay. Only about $20. K&L kits seem like good quality.85 GS1150E May '06 BOM
79 GS1000S Wes Cooley Beast
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Pingel is the petcock you are looking for.
Personally I would opt to replace the diaphram on the petcock with Suzuki or K&L parts. The vacuum petcock has been working good for 20+ years; just replace the diaphram. It will be a lot cheaper than buying a new Pingel manual petcock.Comment
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Yup, found several K&L petcock kits on eBay during lunch. One of those will arriving on my doorstep, hopefully before Xmas. Thanks for the replies!Comment
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go to
I just got a new diaphram for 12.50 shipped. they have an ebay store also, I saw my exact diaphram auctioned for $0.99 and 2.50 shipping, but since I won something else, I was just happy that they let me change the part I wanted for the same auction!! good people.
good luck!!Comment
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Yup, their eBay store was one of the ones I found...Originally posted by snowbeardgo to
I just got a new diaphram for 12.50 shipped. they have an ebay store also, I saw my exact diaphram auctioned for $0.99 and 2.50 shipping, but since I won something else, I was just happy that they let me change the part I wanted for the same auction!! good people.
good luck!!Comment
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I was very happy with their service, I bid and won a diaphram that was not the right one and they were more than happy to substitute the correct one for the same price, no hassles.
you could even call them direct and maybe haggle? Harry was who I talked to.Comment
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I've already won a new diaphram for $9.49USD shipped so I can't haggle that price with a clear conscience! Nice to know that they are reasonable if the wrong diaphram shows up... I suppose I should have sprung for the kit with o-rings and gasket but mine are in decent shape. No leaks so far and I've done almost 200 miles on the petcock with the "bodged" diaphram. An application where superglue actually worked, for once.
The motor is running perfectly now and the suspension is working great now I have the Seca Turbo shocks dialed in with 5lbs. of air and rebound damping set to 2 (of 4 positions). Makes the Progressive brand fork springs seem a little harsh. Maybe some lighter oil next time.
The bike rides like a different machine now. Makes me proud to know that no one else has put a wrench on this bike since I purchased it last March. Actually, only one other person has even ridden it. Another GS back on the road!
BTW, I found a GS650G here in SoCal for only $400. Supposedly a runner. Are these 650's merely bored out 550's, sleeved down 750's or ??? I know that people badmouthed the Honda CB650's, they were bored out 550's and had problems with the valves and overheating due to not enough metal between the cylinders. Anyway that's OT. I will post the question elsewhere...Comment
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cool, that's a decent price anyway, gotta let other people eat the chicken sometimes, they can't always live on feathers
I don't know the full scoop on the 650s, but I've never heard the bored out train of thought...
I'm 6' and 150 lbs, the 650 will do highway speeds easily, at least 80+ where I chicken out... it's a great bike for learning, little chance of wheelies, burnouts, etc.
$400 might be a little high, but if it's in running condition and all there, they are nice bikes.
g'luck!!Comment
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