1980 GS550L petcock conversion

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  • DougMarshall
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    1980 GS550L petcock conversion

    I just bought 1980 GS550L that's been sitting for 2 years in garage. First issue off the bat the gas leaking through old o-ring from tank to petcock and ordered one but before I try getting this stock petcock going, I have seen the name "dreaded" petcock for these 1980's a few times now and was wondering if I should or if its even possible to change this petcock out for something that's not so "dreaded"?
  • tom203
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • Aug 2010
    • 8925
    • Norway,Maine

    #2
    If you got the dreaded 1980 petcock, go the easy route and get new one from this florida guy $50- probably will outlast you, once you understand how it works

    1981 gs650L

    "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

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    • Guest

      #3
      When I had my '80 750, I put on a Pingel and an adapter plate. It worked great but was an incredibly tight fit. The nice thing was that it was a high quality part and it had a 'reserve' but they've gotten pretty expensive these days. If you want to get an after market vacuum petcock, I'd suggest you buy it on Ebay.....they're cheaper, made in Japan and are probably pretty high quality. (The one Tom mentioned is probably the same thing, but for more money.)

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      • Guest

        #4
        There isn't much out there that swaps straight in. Things like an XS650 unit has the same spacing but when you read of the Yam guys swapping these out it seems rather pointless.

        As said above, just get a new replacement part. That's what I did after trying to fix the one fitted to my bike and and suffering a flooded engine after the failure of a second unit I reconditioned.

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        • Atwood

          #5
          I just used an after market universal petcock and plate just measure your holes and see which plate you need. Works fine on my Gs750 just cap you vacuum port on the carb. $38.00 for both.



          http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/suzuki/gs550l/?filters[category]=carb&filters[fitting]=universal
          Last edited by Guest; 06-21-2015, 01:44 AM.

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          • tkent02
            Forum LongTimer
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jan 2006
            • 35571
            • Near South Park

            #6
            Originally posted by tom203
            If you got the dreaded 1980 petcock, go the easy route and get new one from this florida guy $50- probably will outlast you, once you understand how it works

            http://www.georgefixs.com/1980-gs550...s1100-petcock/
            I wouldn't buy anything from him.
            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

            Life is too short to ride an L.

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            • tom203
              Forum Guru
              Past Site Supporter
              • Aug 2010
              • 8925
              • Norway,Maine

              #7
              Originally posted by tkent02
              I wouldn't buy anything from him.
              I bought a petcock from him 5 years ago, fast free ship. Unit is decent quality probably made in same Japan factory as a suzuki oem. I have no idea about other stuff that he offers.
              1981 gs650L

              "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

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              • DougMarshall

                #8
                I appreciate all the help guys!!

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                • Guest

                  #9
                  FYI the hole spacing is 50mm.

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