... wait a minute (fuel question)

[Clumzi]

So I've reinstalled the carbs and the bike won't run (see other thread... or not). I set the petcock to prime and still no good. Now, if the petcock is set to prime, that means fuel should run from the tank and fill the carbs, correct? Well, with the bike in prime, I just disconnected the fuel line to the carbs... no fuel is flowing from the tank to the carbs. WTF? Shouldn't fuel fill the float bowls with the petcock on prime?

I don't think the thing is getting any gas! Why the hell would that happen? When the bike ran out of gas, do you think it pulled some end of the tank gunk into the petcock and totally plugged it up? This is annoying. -nick

[bonanzadave]

do you think it pulled some end of the tank gunk into the petcock and totally plugged it up?

Looking at the BB Fuel tank diagram (http://www.bikebandit.com/suzuki-mot...t-1980/o/m6084) there is a pretty substantial screen on that petcock up inside the tank. I guess it could clog but more than likely its the petcock.

[Clumzi]

I just pulled the petcock off and the filter looks brand spanking new. But with everything hooked up the way its supposed to, fuel is not getting from the tank to the carbs.

[Larry D]

I just pulled the petcock off and the filter looks brand spanking new. But with everything hooked up the way its supposed to, fuel is not getting from the tank to the carbs.

As long as the line isn't bent or kinked, restricting the flow, it's the petcock itself.

As you probably know, it's gravity fed, if the petcock is on prime, the fuel should flow no matter what.

I guess it wasn't the spark........

[Nessism]

The 1980 petcock is funky; gas may not flow even in prime until you suck on the vacuum port line for a quick burst. Give that a try and see if gas starts to flow.

[Clumzi]

Holy crap... its alive! Hurray! For whatever reason, gas finally started to flow and...

The Bike Runs!!!!!

It's been a while since it's done that! Now just replace the front fork, front brake pad, seat the airbox properly, bleed the rear brake line and she might actually run well! -nick

[rphillips]

After 28 yrs. I still can't beleive Suzuki used that "80" model petcock on anything. No reserve & vacuum to actuate the pri. What were they thinking??? or not

[focus frenzy]

After 28 yrs. I still can't beleive Suzuki used that "80" model petcock on anything. No reserve & vacuum to actuate the pri. What were they thinking??? or not

my "80" has reserve and lever actuated prime.

[rphillips]

Yeah, I'm used to it, my luck is always that way. I've had two "80" GS1100 E's, one "80" GS1000 E, & an "80" GS1000 G, all of them had only "on" & "pri", & only a screwdriver slot, in a piece of plastic to change it with. Maybe they made them especially for me & gave everyone else the more sensable ones.

[80GS1000]

Agreed that the 80 model vacuum operated prime petcock is a bad design. You have to crank to motor for it to flow fuel on prime.

Clumzi-

Short of installing a less design-challenged petcock, you may find it easier in the future to use a siphon pump to siphon some gas directly from a gas can into the carbs before re-installing the tank. The float valves will stop the fuel flow once the carbs are full. I used to do this before I installed a Pingel.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

As was just said, you have to crank the motor to initiate flow on this petcock.