Cannot shut off fuel...?

[Overdrive]

Hello everyone, this is my first post, though I've done plenty of looking around since I acquired my GS650 right about the time the forum died. Let me just say I think this is a great site, kudos to those who have done such a great job.

Ok, here's my situation. I picked up this GS in the beginning of the month. I've been running it every 4-6 days (it's starting to get too cold up here to ride), just so it stays alive and I get into the habit of doing it for the winter. It is garaged and covered after it cools off.

What I've wanted to do is start the bike and let it warm up, then shut off the fuel so that it doesn't stay on or leave fuel in the line while the bike sits (I'm not crazy for wanting to do this, right?). For the life of me, I cannot get the handle for that control valve to turn! It's like it is stuck at "on". I haven't tried using any tools or heavy force on it because I don't want to risk breaking it and really causing myself a problem...and it shouldn't be so hard to turn in the first place. It does have a little play to it, but nothing that would make me feel like it's about to rotate. It seems locked in place.

If anyone has any advice, knows what might be up, or needs any more info, it's all very much appreciated. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to meeting up with some New England GS owners next year.

[BigLou]

I had the same problem with my petcock, had to end up using plyers as one of the POs had painted it shut into one positition.

Works fine now, though my 1100 doesnt have an "off" position. Only main, res, and prime

[Nessism]

If you want to shut off the flow and drain the carb bowls, run the bike and then pinch off the vacuum line to the petcock. The petcock will stop flowing gas and the bike will die when the float bowls are empty.

As BigLou stated, there is no off position though fuel will not flow if the vacuum is removed (unless the lever is set to PRI that is).

The petcock you have has a small plastic barrel inside the petcock body that rotates when the lever is turned. The plastic swells with age and binds inside the body. You might want to take the petcock apart and clean all the parts - paying attention to the plastic barrel. I had a similar problem on my 850's petcock and wound up taking some 600 grit sandpaper and lightly sanding the plastic barrel to smooth it down. After this, it turned smoothly. Don't take off too much material, just smooth it out.

Hope this helps.

[Overdrive]

Thanks BigLou and Nessism. I'll have to try those out. Wasn't aware that we don't actually have an "off", I assumed most every fuel control valve was setup that way.

I did notice that samll cutout under the tab on the petcock where it looks like there's some black plastic inside.

Ok, so now this leads me to two more small questions:

1. Am I likely to find any instructions on how to disassemble the petcock on GSR?
2. What do you recommend I use to pinch the line? I'm assuming everything short of the aftermarket turn signals on this bike is original, or at least as old as I am, so I don't want to risk damaging anything if I can help it.

Thanks again, I'll be letting you guys know how it turns out.

[Nessism]

It's a rubber hose, pinch away with whatever you have on hand - I use a small pair of needle nose vice grips. You can just pull the vacuum line off the petcock but be ready to plug the hose or the engine might die.

No instruction on how to clean the petcock. Many people will tell you to just replace it with a new one. Before taking my petcock apart I ordered a new one. While waiting for it to arrive I fiddled with the old one and got it working fine...so the new one is sitting in it's box.

[boathead]

when i got my bike this summer i couldn't turn the lever. used a pair of pliers lightly, and it budged, and now turns with little effort. just saying.

[Overdrive]

Thanks again, Nessism, and boathead.

I guess I'll give some pliers a try and hope it turns. Either way, it seems in order for me to stop the fuel flow I'll have to pinch the vacuum line, but if I need to be able to turn the petcock some time I'd like to be able to.

I like this forum even more, lol. You guys are more than quick, and full of good info. Thank you again!