How I converted a 1980 non-lever petcock to a 1979 lever petcock.

[althomas101]

I ordered a new petcock for my 79 GS1000L only to find out it didn't fit. Apparently I had a 1980 tank. So I made a spacer to mount the better 1979 petcock to my tank. Someone suggested that I post what I did as they thought others might want to ditch the crappy 1980 petcock. Here is a link to my Picasa web album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/102601857000444202563/GSPetcockConversion

[spyug]

Thanks for sharing. That looks like it will do the job but did the spacer need to be as thick? Just wondering.

Cheers,
Spyug

[althomas101]

For my application yes. The new petcock has a lever and it would not clear the bottom of the tank. Also the pickup tubes were about 1/2 inch longer and I didn't want them to hit the top of the tank. Also the reserve would kick in a bit too soon I think. 3/8 inch would probably have been sufficient, however the bar stock that the local welding shop had on hand was 1/2 inch.

[steve murdoch]

Well done and thanks for the pics.

[almarconi]

Thats interesting because the petcock on my 1980 750L uses 50mm spacing. I was under the impression that all the 1980 petcocks without the lever were spaced 50 mm. I just checked Z1's website and the majority of GS bikes have 44mm bolt spacing except for the 1980's bikes that have 50mm. I like the idea of using the conversion plate, the 1980's petcock sucks.

[althomas101]

I like the idea of using the conversion plate, the 1980's petcock sucks.

That is why I decided to adapt the petcock rather than ship it back and order an 80 unit (though I still wish it had an Off position).