petcock rebuild? or just buy another ?

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  • exdirtbiker
    Forum Sage
    • Aug 2011
    • 1579
    • 2 miles from exit 89: Brick NJ
    #1

    petcock rebuild? or just buy another ?

    I have a 79 GS1000L.
    The "no lever" vacuum petcock has died, 3 years old, about 3 miles on the it.

    The petcock has 50mm bolt spacing.
    last time I tried to buy a new one, I got one that didn't fit, twice, before I specified "50mm spacing".
    Could it be that I don't have an original tank? ( it fits "nice" ) ( check the pic )

    The petcock never closes.
    Shouldn't the vacuum side of the petcock hold a vacuum ? I put a mighty vac pump on the carb hose fitting, and it doesn't hold any vac at all.
    Should I try to rebuild? or just buy another new one ?

    Last edited by exdirtbiker; 10-10-2012, 09:31 PM. Reason: i cn't spell worrth a shoot
    1980 GS1000G - The Beast - GOING... GOING... yup, it's gone. I'm bikeless !!! GAaaahh !!!
    1978 KZ1000C1 Police - GONE !
    1983 GPZ750, aka ZX750A1 - restored, fresh paint... Gave it back, it was a loaner !!!
    Check My Albums for some of the 30+ headaches I've dealt with

    I know -JUST- enough to make me REALLY dangerous !


    Tags: None
    • Steve
      GS Whisperer
      • Jun 2005
      • 35927
      • southwest oHIo
      #2
      If you have a "no lever" petcock, you have an '80, not a '79.

      Check your production date. If it is August, '79 or later, it's an '80 bike.

      What kind of carbs do you have on the bike? VM or BS series?

      Oh, yeah, your question.

      The success rate with a rebuild kit seems to be hovering around 10-15%, and is still a good portion (about 1/3) of the price of a new one, so you might be better off just getting the new one.

      .
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        Comment

        • Guest
          #3
          A new stock one, or Pingel (or similar non-vac fuel valve.)

            Comment

            • Guest
              #4
              Looks like he has VM series carbs according to the bike pic, and from the looks of it he has tons of room for a manual petcock. I have never had any good luck rebuilding a suck...um vacuum petcock. I always went with new and even those can be questionable.
              Last edited by Guest; 10-11-2012, 10:17 AM.

                Comment

                • Dogma
                  Forum Guru
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 7144
                  • Mason, OH (SW)
                  #5
                  Everything about that bike looks '79, except the leverless petcock. I just looked at the fiche, and the '79 should have a lever. Any chance that's an '80 tank? I seem to recall that the bolt spacing for the leverless petcock is different, so that might be one way to tell.
                  Dogma
                  --
                  O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David

                  Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan
                  --
                   '80 GS850 GLT
                  '80 GS1000 GT
                  '01 ZRX1200R

                  How to get a "What's New" feed without the Vortex, and without permanently quitting the Vortex

                    Comment

                    • Guest
                      #6
                      Originally posted by Dogma
                      Everything about that bike looks '79, except the leverless petcock. I just looked at the fiche, and the '79 should have a lever. Any chance that's an '80 tank? I seem to recall that the bolt spacing for the leverless petcock is different, so that might be one way to tell.
                      Probably an '80/'81 tank which has the leverless petcock.
                      $75 and change at Boulevard Suzuki, item 15. The bolt spacing is different between the levered and leverless petcock.
                      http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1980&fveh=2152

                        Comment

                        • exdirtbiker
                          Forum Sage
                          • Aug 2011
                          • 1579
                          • 2 miles from exit 89: Brick NJ
                          #7
                          Thanks guys.
                          I think this is where I got my last one. : http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1980-GS5...282b3d&vxp=mtr
                          I'll gonna take the old one apart before I replace it, I have nothing to lose.

                          And yes, rebuild kit $25, whole thing $50.
                          Last edited by exdirtbiker; 10-12-2012, 05:25 AM.
                          1980 GS1000G - The Beast - GOING... GOING... yup, it's gone. I'm bikeless !!! GAaaahh !!!
                          1978 KZ1000C1 Police - GONE !
                          1983 GPZ750, aka ZX750A1 - restored, fresh paint... Gave it back, it was a loaner !!!
                          Check My Albums for some of the 30+ headaches I've dealt with

                          I know -JUST- enough to make me REALLY dangerous !


                            Comment

                            • Guest
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Dogma
                              Everything about that bike looks '79, except the leverless petcock. I just looked at the fiche, and the '79 should have a lever. Any chance that's an '80 tank? I seem to recall that the bolt spacing for the leverless petcock is different, so that might be one way to tell.
                              The leverless (suckie) vacuum petcock has a bolt spacing of 50mms.

                                Comment

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