1981 GS650G sat for almost 20 years

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  • Guest

    #1

    1981 GS650G sat for almost 20 years

    Just inherited this motorcycle and need some help getting it back on the road.
    1. First problem is that there is fuel in the tank and who knows how long it has been in there. What is the easiest way to drain these tanks?
    2. Fuel petcock is stuck. How do I free this up?
    3. Before the first startup I plan to change the oil, install a new fuel filter and fuel, new plugs, air filter, new battery...what else?
    Last edited by Guest; 11-14-2023, 05:20 PM.
  • steve murdoch
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • May 2004
    • 8509
    • St. Catharines, On.

    #2
    Welcome to the site, Brad.
    After sitting for that long and with the petcock being stuck i would remove it from tank and rebuild it. Kits are thirty bucks or so.
    An example.


    A check of the valve tolerances would be a good idea as well.
    2@ \'78 GS1000

    Comment

    • Rob S.
      Forum Guru
      Past Site Supporter
      • Dec 2013
      • 9483
      • New York City

      #3
      Don't many members advise that you're better off aftermarket, that the success rate for rebuilding petcocks is only 50%?

      Welcome aboard.
      1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

      2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

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      • Nessism
        Forum LongTimer
        GSResource Superstar
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Mar 2006
        • 35811
        • Torrance, CA

        #4
        1A) (NEW) Trying to diagnose running problems on a bike with an unknown maintenance history. Common maintenance items like clean carbs, properly adjusted valves, no air leaks in the intake system (airbox, carb boots), a clean gas tank (no rust), and a properly functioning petcock are 100% mandatory for the bike to run properly.
        Ed

        To measure is to know.

        Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

        Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

        Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

        KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

        Comment

        • Mr.humbucker
          Forum Mentor
          Past Site Supporter
          • Nov 2012
          • 296
          • British Columbia

          #5
          Originally posted by Rob S.
          Don't many members advise that you're better off aftermarket, that the success rate for rebuilding petcocks is only 50%?

          Welcome aboard.
          I have to agree, I have rebuilt a few petcocks and had difficulty with them. I'd recommend a new after market QUALITY unit. I have bought four of these and used them on GS projects and they were flawless.

          https://www.ebay.com/itm/272302454817?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=PE9UD81mRbm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=Qttj4JcL Tn y&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

          Don't buy the cheap ones .... They don't fit well.

          Good luck with your project, you've come to the right place for advice as there are members here who are very knowledgeable and eager to help.
          GS550T 1981
          GS850G 1983
          GS650G 1982
          GS650G 1982 Under Restoration 😳🏍👍

          Comment

          • Rich82GS750TZ
            Forum Guru
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Jun 2018
            • 5635
            • Mifflinburg, PA / Land of Tar & Chip

            #6
            This place sells, from what I understand, very good OEM Quality, year/model specific replacement petcocks. Hard to search by model. I think you just have to go though them. Know you're mounting bolt spacing too. I haven't needed one yet, but when I do I'll get one of these.



            I think this is the one for your bike, but not sure.

            Last edited by Rich82GS750TZ; 11-15-2023, 07:12 AM.
            Links​

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              I have read through that. Thank you.

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                Originally posted by Mr.humbucker

                I have to agree, I have rebuilt a few petcocks and had difficulty with them. I'd recommend a new after market QUALITY unit. I have bought four of these and used them on GS projects and they were flawless.

                https://www.ebay.com/itm/272302454817?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=PE9UD81mRbm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=Qttj4JcL Tn y&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

                Don't buy the cheap ones .... They don't fit well.

                Good luck with your project, you've come to the right place for advice as there are members here who are very knowledgeable and eager to help.
                Why did you choose this one over one from georgefixs.com?

                Comment

                • Guest

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Rich82GS750TZ
                  This place sells, from what I understand, very good OEM Quality, year/model specific replacement petcocks. Hard to search by model. I think you just have to go though them. Know you're mounting bolt spacing too. I haven't needed one yet, but when I do I'll get one of these.



                  I think this is the one for your bike, but not sure.
                  I found that site as well. Pretty sure that is the one for my bike as well.

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Well I picked up the new battery this morning. Need to order a new oil filter and do a quick oil change. Any recommendations on oil filter brands?

                    Comment

                    • rphillips
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Jun 2005
                      • 7695
                      • Norene TN

                      #11
                      Brand never mattered much to me, Some come with the "O" ring, others don't. Be sure the one you order comes with an "O" ring, if not order one separate. I get a new one every change, after 20 yrs. you can be sure you need a new one. Also be careful with those little bolts on the cover, I've seen several of them twisted off.
                      1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

                      Comment

                      • Guest

                        #12
                        What is everyone doing to replace the battery strap? Mine is completely dry rot and falling apart.

                        Comment

                        • Pewpew82
                          Forum Apprentice
                          • Sep 2023
                          • 31
                          • NE Ohio

                          #13
                          1981 Suzuki GS650G Battery | Ron Ayers

                          Still pretty cheap when they are available.
                          Last edited by Pewpew82; 11-16-2023, 08:03 AM.

                          Comment

                          • salty_monk
                            Forum LongTimer
                            GSResource Superstar
                            Past Site Supporter
                            Super Site Supporter
                            • Oct 2006
                            • 14013
                            • London, UK to Redondo Beach, California

                            #14
                            Amazon / Ebay have some generic ones that work for the battery too... You can order by length.
                            1980 GS1000G - Sold
                            1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                            1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                            1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                            2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                            1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                            2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

                            www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                            TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                            Comment

                            • rphillips
                              Forum Guru
                              Past Site Supporter
                              Super Site Supporter
                              • Jun 2005
                              • 7695
                              • Norene TN

                              #15
                              One of them on Ebay is orig. Suzuki part in Suzuki package for $8.45 and free shipping. just put in Suzuki part #
                              1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

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