Petcock question

[GS750GUY]

I did a search and could not find an answer to my specific question regarding the petcock on my 78 GS750EC.

The outer most retainer ring on my petcock has just two tiny screws holding it in place over the petcock selector lever. I notice when these screws are screwed down tightly after rebuilding my petcock that it is impossible to even move the selector lever between Prime, Reserve, & Run.

Is the outer retainer ring designed to be just snuggly tightened to hold things in place, or does this ring need its screws tightened firmly in place?

My second question is how easy should the selector lever move? Should it rotate into position quite smoothly and easily? Mine seems to be quite stiff even after losening the retainer screws considerably.

GS750Guy

 

[Steve]

The lever should turn smoothly, but with a little friction.

My suggestion would be to remove the petcock, take the outer ring off, remove the lever and the barrel behind it. I use a small brass or nylon cup brush in my Dremel tool to clean out the cylinder, then use a Scotch-Brite pad to clean the barrel until they turn smoothly against each other. Put just a dab of white lithium grease in there to keep corrosion down to a minimum, then re-assemble. I think you will be impressed with the results.

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[SqDancerLynn1]

did you put the ring on backwards ? Or jam the sealing lip in crooked ? take it out and use some silicon grease on it. The fuel will wash the grease away so no need to worry about it

 

[Nessism]

The lever should turn smoothly, but with a little friction.

My suggestion would be to remove the petcock, take the outer ring off, remove the lever and the barrel behind it. I use a small brass or nylon cup brush in my Dremel tool to clean out the cylinder, then use a Scotch-Brite pad to clean the barrel until they turn smoothly against each other. Put just a dab of white lithium grease in there to keep corrosion down to a minimum, then re-assemble. I think you will be impressed with the results.

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The early petcocks are different, don't think they have that barrel piece.

I'd try a dab of silicone grease on the O-ring and see if that helps.

The problem with rebuilding petcocks (my view) is the poor quality of the available rebuild parts. Maybe the O-ring is too large? I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

 

[Steve]

The early petcocks are different, don't think they have that barrel piece.

OK, ... I learned something new. Can I go home now?

Please? ray:

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[GS750GUY]

Is the outer retainer ring designed to be just snuggly tightened to hold things in place, or does this ring need its screws tightened all the way down and firmly in place?

Anyone have an answer to this part of my original question?

Thanks!

GS750Guy[/QUOTE]

 

[Steve]

I have always tightened them down completely and the petcock has moved freely inside it.

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[GS750GUY]

I rebuilt my petcock three years ago and it seemed to work fine up until late last riding season. I came real close to spending another $30.00 with Z-1 to buy another rebuild kit but my guts told me to first just check out the existing situation. Boy, I'm glad I did. I found that there was nothing wrong with the existing kit and that it just needed a little TLC work. I just disassembled the petcock and cleaned it up and polished the surfaces, added a little silicone grease as one of you suggested and .....bingo! It works great! I can crank the retainer screws all the way down and the lever turns nice and easy with just a little bit of friction being felt.

I guess I have to keep in mind that all things....even the little things on a bike just need a little periodic maintenance work now and then.

Thanks for everyone help with this. Happy Riding Season!

GS750GUY