New Member Here: Time for the Newb Q's

[Gixxer Dan]

Hey everybody,

I'm Danny and am the proud new owner of a 1980 GS 550L.
I'm accustomed to riding Late Model Sportbikes (i.e. an 04 GSXR as my handle refers to it). I've come across this Gem of a bike on Craigslist for a deal I could not pass. I've always wanted a more comfortable, cruiser type bike to ride on as a commuter as an alternative to the GSXR.

The Good:
The bike is in great shape for being 28 years old and has 9K original miles.

The Bad:
the bike is rusted (which can be cleaned and buffed), but hasn't actually ran in awhile. It does start up, but i'm pretty sure the previous owner kept it garaged for the most part of a decade at least. There is a valve under the tank thats leaking at needs to be replaced. here are some pictures:




Ok, I need to replace this part before I ride the bike home from the previous owners place since i don't really have a means of towing it to my place.

My Question is, what part is this and where can I find it ASAP? Keep in mind I live in Rancho Cucamonga, CA for any locals out here.

I also would like to know what do I check for and/or tune up on this particular bike in its present condition. I appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks everybody.

- Danny

p.s. Before I get flamed for not reading the stickies and tutorials, I'm already on it. Just wanted any additional suggestions from our knowledgeable members on here.

[Nessism]

That my friend is a petcock. The one you have is JUNK, take it off and throw it as far as possible. Unfortunatly, the 1980 Suzuki petcock is famous for not having an adjustment lever - worst possible year for this part. Only way to adjust between reserve and on is with a screwdriver - did I mention the bad design?

Order a new one up at Bike Bandit, motogrid.com or where ever you like to get your parts. Rebuilding is not a good idea unless you like to throw good money after bad.

Edit: Z1 Enterprises sells this part http://z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2636

Good luck and welcome to the GSR.

[Gixxer Dan]

Thanks for the quick reply Nessism,

So what does a new Petcock usually run for? And I'm assuming its safe to say to get aftermarket on this part? Would it be better to put on another year GS petcock in replacing the old one?

[BassCliff]

Hey howdy hey!

Mr. Gixxer Dan,

You and I are practically neighbors. I've got a pickup. If you're in a hurry to get it home, send me a PM. A new petcock will run you about $45. And now, here it is, the world's most dangerous mega-welcome! \\/

Let it be known that on this day you are cordially and formally welcomed to the GSR Forum as a Junior Member in good standing with all the rights and privileges thereof. Further let it be known that your good standing can be improved with pictures (not you, your bike)!

Perhaps you've already seen these, but I like to remind all the new members. In addition to the carb rebuild series, I recommend visiting the In The Garage section via the GSR Homepage and check out the Stator Papers. There's also a lot of great information in the Old Q&A section. I have some documentation on my little BikeCliff website to help get you familiar with doing routine maintenance tasks (note that it is 850G-specific but many tasks are common to all GS bikes). Other "user contributed" informational sites include those of Mr. bwringer, Mr. tfb and Mr. robertbarr.

And here are some edited quotes from one of our dear beloved gurus, Mr. bwringer, with ideas on basic needs (depending on initial condition), parts, and accessories.

***********Quoted from Mr. bwringer************
Carburetor maintenance:

Replace the intake boot o-rings, and possibly the intake boots. Here's the procedure:

http://bwringer.com/gs/intakeorings.html

Here's an overview of what happens with this particular problem:

http://cycleorings.com/intake.html

You'll also want to examine the boots between the carbs and the airbox. There's a good chance these are OK, but check them over.
And finally, if things still aren't exactly right, you'll want to order a set of o-rings for BS carbs from the GS owner's best friend, Robert Barr:
http://cycleorings.com
Once you receive these rare rings of delight, then you'll want to thoroughly clean and rebuild your carburetors. Here are step-by-step instructions that make this simple:

http://thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

***********************************
Every GS850 has (or had) a set of well-known issues that MUST be addressed before you have a solid baseline for further troubleshooting. It's a vintage bike, and it's quite common (as in, every single GS850 I have had contact with) that there are multiple problems that have crept up and slowly gotten worse over the years. It's not like a newer vehicle, where there's generally one problem at a time.

These common issues are:

1. Intake O-rings (install NEW OEM or Viton only - common nitrile O-rings will quickly deteriorate from heat)
2. Intake Boots (install NEW -- these cannot be repaired)
3. Valve clearances (more important than most people think)
4. Carb/airbox boots
5. Airbox sealing
6. Air filter sealing
7. Petcock (install a NEW one)
8. On '79 models, install new points or Dyna electronic ignition (or at least verify that the old points are working correctly)
9. On all models, it's fairly common to have problems with the spark plug caps. These are $3 or $4 each, and often worth replacing if you're keeping the stock coils/wires.
10. Stock exhaust with NO leaks or holes -- good seals at the head and at the junctions underneath.
***************************************
OEM Parts/Online Fiches:

I would definitely double and triple the recommendations to use Cycle Recycle II and Z1 Enterprises as much as possible. These guys are priceless resources. Z1 tends to have slightly better prices, CRC2 has a wider range of goodies available. If you're near Indy and can bring in an old part to match, CRC2 has a vast inventory of used parts.
http://denniskirk.com - Put in your bike model and see what they have.
http://oldbikebarn.com - seems to be slowly regaining a decent reputation, but it's still caveat emptor. They don't have anything you can't get elsewhere at a better price anyway.
http://www.babbittsonline.com/ - Decent parts prices. Spendy shipping. Don't give you part numbers at all. Useful cross-reference if you obtain a part number elsewhere. Efficient service.
http://bikebandit.com - Fastest. Middlin' prices. Uses their own parts numbering system to obfuscate price comparisons -- can be very confusing for large orders. Cheapest shipping, so total cost usually isn't too bad.
http://flatoutmotorcycles.com - Slow. Cheapest parts prices, crazy shipping costs. Don't expect progress updates or much communication. Real Suzuki part numbers.
http://alpha-sports.com - Exorbitant parts prices. Different type of fiche interface that's quite useful at times, especially with superceded part numbers. Real parts numbers. Shipping cost and speed unknown due to insane, unholy pricing.

Stainless Bolts, Viton o-rings, metric taps, dies, assorted hard-to-find supplies and materials, etc:

http://mcmaster.com - Fast, cheap shipping, good prices. No order minimum, but many items like bolts come in packs of 25 or 50. Excellent resource.
http://motorcycleseatcovers.com - Great quality, perfect fit (on original seat foam), and available for pretty much every bike ever made. Avoid the textured vinyl -- it's perforated.
http://newenough.com - You DO have riding gear, don't you? Great clearances, always outstanding prices and impeccable service.
***************End Quote**********************
Here are some extra links:

GSR Forum member Mr. duaneage has great used upgraded Honda regulator/rectifiers for our bikes. Send him a PM.
New electrical parts:
http://stores.ebay.com/RMSTATOR or http://www.rmstator.com/

http://www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/index.php

http://www.electrosport.com/

The Rice Paddy (salvage/used)
http://www.ricepaddymotorcycles.com
Ron Ayers Motorsports
http://www.ronayers.com
MR Cycles
http://www.mrcycles.com
If all else fails, try this:
http://www.used-motorcycle-parts.org/
Lots of good info/pictures here:
http://www.suzukicycles.org
http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Motorcycle_Wiki

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed of your progress. There's lots of good folk with good experience here.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(The unofficial GSR greeter)

[KRISTI'SGS550]

I just got my petcock from z1enterprises.com It was about $50. I wouldn't put an aftermarket one on, or buy one used. You will more than likely run into the same problems with another used petcock.

Cory

[salty_monk]

The one from Z1 is a good price at $40 & will likely be good quality & shipped very quickly. I get all my aftermarket parts there.

Dan

[Gixxer Dan]

wow, thats what I call a WARM WELCOME Thanks guys and Thank you Bass Cliff. Well, i'm just anxious to get her home so I can start cleaning and tuning her up.

One question have about the Petcock from Z1 is that i don't seem to see a valve knob/lever on it. So I'm not sure I know how to know what setting the petcock is on initially. Unless I'm missing something here. I'm sorry for such newbish questions guys, I really am pretty mechanically savvy. Its just that I've always worked on F.I. Cars and bikes and haven't had any experienced with carbs and older bikes. That is the main reason I joined GSR. To learn more about my bike and talk to our GS savvy member.

Once again, I'm glad to be part of the site guys and I'll keep everyone updated on my situation.

[KRISTI'SGS550]

wow, thats what I call a WARM WELCOME Thanks guys and Thank you Bass Cliff. Well, i'm just anxious to get her home so I can start cleaning and tuning her up.

One question have about the Petcock from Z1 is that i don't seem to see a valve knob/lever on it. So I'm not sure I know how to know what setting the petcock is on initially. Unless I'm missing something here. I'm sorry for such newbish questions guys, I really am pretty mechanically savvy. Its just that I've always worked on F.I. Cars and bikes and haven't had any experienced with carbs and older bikes. That is the main reason I joined GSR. To learn more about my bike and talk to our GS savvy member.

Once again, I'm glad to be part of the site guys and I'll keep everyone updated on my situation.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1715

I believe this is the one you need.

Cory

[bonanzadave]

One question have about the Petcock from Z1 is that i don't seem to see a valve knob/lever on it. So I'm not sure I know how to know what setting the petcock is on initially. Unless I'm missing something here.

The Z1 does have a lever. RUN, PRI, RES.

Your old lever is long gone and replaced with a bolt. Its doing nothing except giving you a place to attach a hose. Im surprised theres not gas spilling and filling your crankcase.

With the new petcock (get the gasket too) in the Run position youll need to attach the second vac hose to the carbs. That way no fuel flows when the bike is off.

Res is Reserve - Its time to get some gas.

Pri - Prime ( I think) If you run it dry you can fill the float bowls to get her started but then switch back to run.

[Nessism]

The 1980 petcock Suzuki used on many models did not have a lever; there is a small slot that can be adjusted with a screwdriver. They only used this model petcock for one year and went back to the type with a lever. According to Z1 the bolt spacing on these petcocks is 50mm. The petcock with a lever linked from Z1 has different spacing so these two parts are not interchangeable.

Best to measure before spending the money to make sure you order the right type.