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1981 GS650G sat for almost 20 years

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Guest

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

Welcome aboard.
 
Rob S. said:
Don't many members advise that you're better off aftermarket, that the success rate for rebuilding petcocks is only 50%?

Welcome aboard.
Click to expand...

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=Qttj4JcLTn 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.
 
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Mr.humbucker said:
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=Qttj4JcLTn 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.
Click to expand...

Why did you choose this one over one from georgefixs.com?
 
Rich82GS750TZ said:
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.

https://georgefixs.com/

I think this is the one for your bike, but not sure.
https://www.georgefixs.com/brand-ne...s550-gs650-gs750-gs850-gs1000-gs1100-petcock/
Click to expand...

I found that site as well. Pretty sure that is the one for my bike as well.
 
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?
 
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.
 
What is everyone doing to replace the battery strap? Mine is completely dry rot and falling apart.
 
Amazon / Ebay have some generic ones that work for the battery too... You can order by length.
 
One of them on Ebay is orig. Suzuki part in Suzuki package for $8.45 and free shipping. just put in Suzuki part #
 
Made my own battery strap from a strip of inner tube and a bit of galvanised fence wire.

 
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Well, I put a new battery in it this afternoon and it actually turned over after I jiggle the clutch lever. I wonder if the switch is loose or if it is just that way. Anyone have that issue with the clutch lever? Didn't let it try to start for too long as I don't know what the oil is like in it. Tomorrow it gets new oil and a filter. Then I'm going to hook up an auxiliary fuel tank to bypass the petcock and see if it will actually start. Compression sounded good while it turned over, no galloping.
 
Just wanted to mention that the 1981 GS 650 G has a one year petcock setup. The vacuum and fuel ports face the opposite direction of the 82-83 models. Difference is that 81 models did not have a fuel gauge and have the petcock located differently. I haven't seen any aftermarket petcock that would work for the 81 model. Perhaps something could be done with 90 degree fittings.
 
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