Petcock question

[Guest]

So I'm finally putting together a long list of parts to bring my 81' gs1100e up to snuff and get it on the road.
I have read up on here for opinions on different parts I need and have concluded the petcock would be nothing more than oem from Suzuki. For my oem parts I have been putting together a list on Babbitts and they dont have the petcock available so since I will also have parts coming from Z1 I looked there and found two petcocks listed for my ride...difference in the two being reserve level from what I can gather.
I measured for the 44mm center to center on the bolt holes to confirm they would work for my application. The prices are around what oem should be, are these oem petcocks? If not are they of good quality and sufficient?
If the answer was right there in front of me on the forum my apologies in advance.

[tom203]

Suzuki doesn?t make petcocks in-house...they purchase them, probably from the same manufacturer that sells to Z1 and georgefix...I bought one from the latter 8 years ago - casting finish was superior to the 30 year old original and it?s working fine still.
You likely want a unit with greater reserve capacity.

[Guest]

Which ever one you pick, just make sure the fittings are pointed in the direction to make life easy. If they are pointed the wrong way, your fuel and vacuum lines my interfere with something or they may kink by having to do a 180 turn to hook them up.

BTW, georgefix which may be spelled georgefixx, is a Florida based eBay seller that often has petcocks for sale. They are usually K&L which I have found to be good products.

Edit, my bad it is spelled with one x. Here is a link. http://www.ebaystores.com/GEORGEFIXS-MOTORCYCLE-PARTS

[Guest]

Thank you for the reply, that lays any worry to rest and great point on configuration as I wasnt thinking about that possibility of differences between them.

[hannibal]

I can confirm that Z1 also sells K&L petcocks branded as Fuelmax I think (identical to what George sells). I suggest paying the extra few dollars for the larger reserve. The smaller reserve is tiny and I've run out of fuel 2 or 3 times.

I bought the small reserve petcock from Z1 years ago, and got the larger reserve petcock from GeorgeFixs Ebay store last November.

Assuming your GS1100 petcock goes on the left side of the tank, the fuel and vacuum ports face to the back of the bike. I flipped the vacuum cover and port to face forward and used a slightly longer fuel line to reach the rear facing fuel port.

[rphillips]

Hey Cwwod, just wondering if you have taken your old one apart to see if you can see a problem? polish the seat with a pencil eraser, or stretch the little spring could work wonders. Pretty simple & what have you got to lose?

[Guest]

Thank you I will go with the larger reserve capacity! The petcock is indeed mounted on the left side on my tank.

[Guest]

There is no fuel reserve on a 81 GS1100E, just that nasty vacuum petcock. And I believe your mounting holes are 50mm. The 80/81 GS750E and 1100E use the same petcock. I've bought the K&L petcocks before and had very little luck with them. I went back to the OEM one and it's still working 20 years later.

[Guest]

There is no fuel reserve on a 81 GS1100E, just that nasty vacuum petcock. And I believe your mounting holes are 50mm. The 80/81 GS750E and 1100E use the same petcock. I've bought the K&L petcocks before and had very little luck with them. I went back to the OEM one and it's still working 20 years later.

The mounting holes on my 1100e tank are indeed 44mm center to center.

[Guest]

Hey Cwwod, just wondering if you have taken your old one apart to see if you can see a problem? polish the seat with a pencil eraser, or stretch the little spring could work wonders. Pretty simple & what have you got to lose?

Yes Sir I did take it apart to investigate but did not polish the seat... perhaps I should give it another look. It is froze up and corroded a bit. Figured I would just buy new to be safe but I think I will do as you suggest and look at it closer.

[rphillips]

I's thinking "80" was the only year for the funky 2 position, no lever, no res. petcock. I thought they went back to normal in "81" forward.

[Steve]

I's thinking "80" was the only year for the funky 2 position, no lever, no res. petcock. I thought they went back to normal in "81" forward.

I agree with you. It was one year only, and fortunately not all models in that year were affected.

.

[Guest]

I just checked the petcock that was on the tank, I'm sure it's the oem original and it does have 3 positions. Fuel, prime and reserve.