1978 GS400 Help!!!

[Guest]

Thanks Pete!! After looking at it with a different perspective I think I was using the prime function. Mine looks almost exactly like this one...

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff1/images/suzuki_petcock_rebuild.pdf

I was looking at it as if it was an arrow pointing towards "Fuel", "Res", or "pri". Now I realize that the circle end of the lever indicates the position. Good to know it's not junk!! I'm going to attempt to clean it and re-use the current rubber for now. Once I see if I can get the bike running then I will go back and replace if needed since it's an easy fix.

Cool, that makes sense and glad to see it's working

Mine looks quite different to that...

The 78 petcocks are around $300,ask me how I know.Had a good one I sent off to FC with that 79 400 tank.Really wish I had it back now

ouch! Are the bolt spacings the same as the other type? I still have my old one around if you need me to measure...

 

[SVSooke]

Yes they are.Thinking of putting the good one from the 750 build in the Skunk as a for now measure.

 

[Guest]

Yes they are.Thinking of putting the good one from Othe 750 build in the Skunk as a for now measure.

Sounds like a plan to me! If you don't care about 100% original that would be a good swap...

 

[TimB]

Here are some pictures of the Petcock...

 

[Guest]

Make sure the O ring is still nice and rubbery, give it a good clean (probably fresh fuel will help), and use the proper sealed washers to reinstall and it should be all good

 

[TimB]

Sounds good Pete!! One question.... "sealed washers"?? I took out what was left of the air filter last night. I'll post some pics of what was left tonight.

 

[Guest]

Sounds good Pete!! One question.... "sealed washers"?? I took out what was left of the air filter last night. I'll post some pics of what was left tonight.

There are washers under the bolts that hold the fuel tap in and they're special ones that have a fuel safe seal built in. If you use ordinary washers fuel will leak out around them...

 

[Englishman]

I'm trying to find alternative taps for my 400 project to eliminate the vacuum line - just a nice simple on-off arrangement. Hard to find anyone who gives dimensions for the bolt holes though.

Mark

 

[Guest]

Tried Z1? Pretty sure they have them... I think there's a Pingel brand that also has an adaptor plate to suit, although that may just be for the bigger GS' too...

 

[TimB]

This is what was left of the air filter. Pretty nasty stuff!! There were also some seeds stored in the filter from whatever animal had been living there!! Any suggestions to where I can find a new filter? I don't think this one is going to cut it!!

 

[Guest]

Ugh that's horrid!

OEM filter and element are both available from Boulevard Suzuki... $28.77 for the filter and $11.85 for the element...

 

[TimB]

Looked much better after a vacum and cleaning!! Thanks for the info Pete!!

 

[TimB]

So it has been a while since my last post. A few weeks ago I purchased a battery and a charger. Filling a battery with acid is not the most fun thing I have ever done to say the least!! I installed the battery and changed the oil and filter. Crossed my fingers and hit the start button a few times and she started up after being dormant since 1985!! Sounded pretty good considering I had not cleaned the carbs yet and the plugs looked pretty nasty. I took carb #1 apart last night and it looked awesome. No gunk except in the float bowl drain screw. I'm planning on spraying them with carb cleaner instead of dipping since they look so clean.

 

[Guest]

Mate gotta love that first start!!!

Those carbs do look clean too! And that plug looks awful...

Just remember you haven't cleaned the carbs, so if you attempt to get your mixture settings right and things like that and it doesn't seem like it's working right, you'll need to give them a dip at that point as there still may be some fuel varnish in the pilot and other passages you can't see.

 

[Redneck]

Hey Tim sorry I did not see your thread before. I am just down the road from you in York, Maine.

The Napa Carb Dip works quite well. For the price it is well worth it. Make sure you order some orings from Mr. Cycle. His link is is Basscliff's megawelcome. You will want to make sure you remove all old orings before dipping. It should also tell you that in the tutorial. I printed it off and had it handy so that I could go step by step through the cleaning process. Hope this helps.

Paul

By the way there are a couple more members in the Portland area but I have not seen them post recently.

 

[TimB]

Pete, as always, thanks for the advise!! Curious to see what it sounds like after the carbs are cleaner and new plugs installed. Paul, it's good to know someone is local!! I will continue to update as I progress. I already ordered the o-rings from Robert Barr. They are sitting and waiting to be installed after the cleaning. So far I have one carb apart and waiting to be hosed. Although it's been mild so far, it's a long winter in Maine(as you know) and I don't want to run out of projects!!

Tim