First Step, Petcock Rebuild

[Beauetienne]

Today I took the first and least labor intensive step to getting this '82 GS1100GK going by rebuilding the petcock.
When I pulled of the side cover (from the petcock )that contains the diaphram I noticed a sticky black substance on the old diaphram. In the side cover is a white plastic disk with four holes surrounding a center hole with a rubber stopper/post that had mostly deteriorated and deposited a sticky black rubber mess.
I used a straight pin and some WD 40 to clean that up but, had no stopper/post to replace it. Lucky for me that a had a very tiny screw left over from some old guitar pick-ups that I was able to put in it's place.
I then replaced all the parts in the petcock with the new kit parts.
Prior to this I has gas coming from a hose that I assume is the overflow from the carbs and gas coming from the air box. Now I only have gas coming from the air box, running or not.
I thought that if the petcock worked correctly there would be no flow when the bike is not running and the petcock is in the on position.
Did I make any difference other than cleaning up the rubber mess?
Any feedback is appreciated.

[Nessism]

Engine flooding is due to the float needles inability to hold the gas flow back. With a bad petcock the float needles are under stress all the time since the gas flow never stops. Even if the petcock is working properly, if your float needles are not able to hold the gas back you are going to flood the engine while the engine is running.

Another possible petcock failure is gas flowing backwards down the vacuum line.

Regarding your petcock rebuild, make sure you varify the petcock is working properly before you install it. I haven't rebuilt one myself but based on comments here, rebuilding does not always work (not sure why other than possible pitted metal).

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Beauetienne]

Thanks

I thought that I had cleaned the seat but, maybe not good enough. I will use a magnifying glass to check the seat for damage, per your suggestion. My eyes are not what they used to be. Once this is solved I will move on to the carbs. I did order the parts from Mr. Barr. Thanks

[Big T]

I rebuilt mine with a kit off Ebay

Big mistake. The seals are all the wrong material, swelled up and I couldn't even turn the handle after two days.

I bought a new one.

[ron bayless]

NEVER EVER DO A REBUILD.IT DOESNT WORK.buy a new petcock and your problems with area will be over.sorry about the caps.i am at work and foget to unlock it.27 years,equals one new petcock.