Good replacement petcock?

[randyshipp]

Is this a good replacement petcock for my 1980 GS850GL? I'd been thinking of just tracking down a rebuild kit, but this is a less expensive option than most replacement petcocks I've seen, and only about $10-15 more than the rebuild kits I've run across. I just want to be sure there are no petcock "gotchas" I might be running into by using this instead of a kit.

Thanks in advance!

Randy...

[randyshipp]

Guess I should provide the link...here's the piece I'm considering: http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2636

Randy...

[chef1366]

I have one and it works great. But I got it here and this guy is good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-GS550-GS750-GS850-GS1000-GS1100-PETCOCK_W0QQitemZ180012605306QQihZ008QQcategoryZ35597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[randyshipp]

chef1366,

Thanks for the lead. I'll definitely keep him in mind...pretty good selection.

Randy...

[Commodus]

Plus, you can still buy 'em brand new from Suzuki. A little more expensive though.

[Ghostgs1]

That looks like a good option at Z1. There good folks to deal with. Ray

[chuckycheese]

Go for it!

It looks to me like it's well worth a try!! (It can't be as crummy as the OEM petcock).8-[

[don_gibb6512]

take a look at Pingel

I'm going to chime in with my .02 worth. I know they're expensive but they're worth it. For around $85 you can buy a chrome plated Hex Pingel that doesn't need the vacuum line and flows WAY better than the other fuel valves. Operation of the On-Off-Res lever is very smooth and they look great. Made in the USA and is a really good valve. Both my bikes have them. No more worries about fuel valve problems. Like I said, just my .02 worth.

Don

[chef1366]

Hey Don, ever hear of Canal Fulton, Ohio? It's by Canton and Massillon. That's where I grew up. Sometimes I miss those friggen hicks.

[don_gibb6512]

No, I'm sorry I haven't. This was the first time. I travel east to the Ohio river and then north and south on the river quite requently but rarely do I make it north east.

[chuckycheese]

Pingel

I'm going to chime in with my .02 worth. I know they're expensive but they're worth it. For around $85 you can buy a chrome plated Hex Pingel that doesn't need the vacuum line and flows WAY better than the other fuel valves. Operation of the On-Off-Res lever is very smooth and they look great. Made in the USA and is a really good valve. Both my bikes have them. No more worries about fuel valve problems. Like I said, just my .02 worth.

Don

I agree. I didn't mention it in my first post but that's what I now use, as well.

[onchiman]

I'll add that I purchased a "Custom Chrome" single outlet petcock for my GS 850 from Z1. I had to also purchase the adaptor plate to mount it to the tank. Total for both pieces was around $28. It has no vacuum diaphram so I'll have to plug the vacuum hose from the #2 carb. The fit and finish of the petcock seems pretty good and I is heavy and well made. It's made in Taiwan. Only time will tell how durable it is but I see no reason why this thing won't last a good long time. It might not be as good as a pingel but was a lot cheaper.

[Boondocks]

My original OEM vacuum operated petcock is working trouble free as it has for the past 26 years with no maintenance. If I did have to replace it, I would rebuild it or go with another vacuum petcock, which is far more convenient than a manual petcock. Manual petcocks have been used on motorcycles since the beginning, and are just a gas faucet. There is nothing about them or chrome plating that warrants a price of $85, but as long as there are people who are willing to spend that much for the cachet of a name which has some mysterious grasp on the imagination they will be popular, like the overpriced and underfiltering K&N air filters.

$28 for a manual petcock is more like it.

[chuckycheese]

Reserve

The Pingels are great on the 1980 models because the OEM petcock doesn't have a reserve. I think a reserve is a MUST!

[Boondocks]

A reserve is a must only on bikes without gas gauges. If you have a gas gauge that works and an odometer, why do you need a reserve? Cars get by without a reserve tap with just a gas gauge. Why is a reserve a must on a motorcycle with a gas gauge?