1980 GS850GX Petcock... making me crazy

[erconn]

I have a 1980 GS850GX, and I am having trouble finding the correct petcock. I bought one on ebay claiming to fit 81-83 GS850's. Looking at a reputable parts site, I figured it would fit because the 80 and 81 GS850 were listed as having the same parts list/catalog on their site. I somehow misplaced the original that I had just repaired (frustrating), which is why I needed to buy a new one, so I didn't realize until trying to install the new petcock that the fuel intake for the petcock was on the opposite side as the original (frustrating and a lot of cussing). I cannot find anything online that looks like the original, with the fuel intake going to the left, as facing the bike on the left side. The new one goes to the right. If anyone knows where I can find one online or a part number other than 44300-45011 that will fit the bike, I'd appreciate it a lot. Everything online says GS850L or somthing to that effect, nothing says anything about the X model. I just want to get the bike back on the road! If I am somehow just spazzing out and doing something wrong, please let me know. Thanks a lot.

[arveejay]

This is a long shot but once I had a petcock come the same way and it was made adjustable to change positions. Can't you just get a longer hose and secure it after routed to stop kinks? I buy my OEM parts at www.bikebandit.com Others are mentioned in other threads. here's the link to the petcock. 1980 is a GS850GT, 1981 would be GS850GX

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/oem_schematic_view~schem_dept_id~1008398~section_dept_id~1~section_dept_name~OEM+%28Stock%29+Parts~dept_type_id~2~model_dept_year~1980~model_dept_mfr~Suzuki~model_dept_id~987838~model_dept_name~GS850GT.asp

[Guest]

I have an 80 model and this worked fine for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-GS550-GS750-GS850-GS1000-GS1100-PETCOCK_W0QQitemZ4647356605QQihZ002QQcategoryZ35597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[BRycraft]

New Petcock

I had trouble with mine so I replaced it with a non vacuum operated petcock and it was the best money I spent. There are adapter plates that cover the original opening and bolt into the original bolt holes on the tank, the plate also comes with an adhesive that helps prevent any leaks, that plate is around $12. The petcock I ordered for $16 was a 3/8 inch NPT pipe thread fitting that then screws into the adapter plate. The only thing I had to do with the tank was file the opening for the petcock which is round, it was only a small amount of filing to get it to pass thru the old oval opening, the oval part is now covered by the adapter plate. The positions on the petcocks is Run, Off, Res, so after riding you have to turn it off as well as turn it on before riding, the vacuum port on #2 then gets plugged. This solved a lot of problems and the total cost was much less then a new OEM replacement. A small investment and in the future the parts to rebuild are cheap and easily available at any motorcycle shop, or just buy a new petcock for $16 if you want, still beats the old vacuum operated ones, then again thats personal opinion.
Bill

[rphillips]

Not sure about the 850's, but on some of the Suzuki pet cocks, you can take the square back off, and turn it whatever way you need, point the inlets up, down, to the front, or to the rear.