got a new GS...updated (now with pics)

[tripleb]

I picked up my new-to-me GS yesterday.  It's a purple '93.  I'm not too big on the color but I hope to paint it after I get some other things taken care of.

I do have a question though.  I can't find the fuel petcock anywhere.  I've also searched the manual the PO gave me and I can't find any mention of it anywhere in there either.  Do 93s have a fuel petcock?

[scottpA_GS]

Congrats 

There are 2 petcocks.. one mounted on the underside of the tank. The other (should be) on the left (while seated) near that filter that I can see in your pics (looks like a cone)

Possibly the PO removed it 

[tripleb]

I guess he must've removed it because that's where it was on my '90 and I couldn't find it there on this one.  That's not going to cause any problems is it?

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
Well, that depends.
The stock frame mounted petcock (the second petcock is under the fuel tank) is prone to problems with the vacuum mechanism, causing GS500s to starve for fuel at high speeds.
That's probably why the previous owner removed the frame mounted petcock.
The problem is, what does your bike have now?
Did the previous owner just hook the undertank petcock right to the carbs?
You need to check this out.
It potentially could be a problem from a fuel leakage standpoint.
I'd look around under there and see what he did and see if you need to fix it.
Some people replace their petcocks with other models, including Pingel brand generic petcocks.
The hot setup right now is to use a Honda petcock, I think it's from a Honda CR250, to replace your Suzuki frame mounted petcock. It needs only slight modification and gets rid of the troublesome vacuum operation and is cheap -- under $25 or so.

See this link:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41988.0
Honda CRF 250 2004 part no.16950-KSC-003....about $22.00.at the Honda shop. Vaccum petcock.No trouble since!

Here's photos of the Honda petcock and more installation instructions:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36958.20

It sounds like you're going to need a shop manual to figure out the hoses you'll need to put it all back in the right way.
I'd get this petcock and fix it so you have no fuel delivery or leakage problems.

Best wishes, and let us know how it goes.

Trwhouse

[commuterdude]

I can't believe the colors Suzuki was puttin out in the early 90's.  l have a '93 also, and the red w/ pink decal is killing me.

[tripleb]

I was out working on the bike a little and checking out the condition of various things.  I found a few things and would like any help you guys can give me about what they are, identify any problems and if I need to fix/do anything about them.  I've got plenty of pics to describe the issues.  I've used links to the pics instead of actual pics because they're pretty big and I want the size there in case you guys need to see it close up to identify problems.  Thank you very much for any help/advice you can give me!!

First of all, I looked at the fuel hoses since I couldn't find the petcock and here's what I saw...It seems there's one hose that comes out of the tank and goes right back to the petcock.  I'm assuming that normally goes to the petcock switch, but I'm not sure.  I've also included a pic of where the petcock usually is from the side.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/2.jpg   http://pktdo.com/GS500/8.jpg

This hose was disconnected and it looks to attach to the bottom of the airbox and run to nothing at the bottom of the bike.  It looks like some kind of drainage hose or something, although I have no idea what what drain from the airbox.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/4.jpg

Fainlly, we've got this little tube.  It also runs down to the bottom of the bike and looks like a drainage hose but it doesn't attach to anything. The color of it makes me think it was part of the fuel system or something like that.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/5.jpg

[commuterdude]

I think he's got your reserve running to an inline filter and then to the carbs, and your main line is running back up to the tank overflow to cap it off?
Second is your airbox drain hose, should be routed out the bottom right frame under the clutch cover.
Third is most likely your battery overflow/drain hose routs out to the same area as your airbox drain.

[tripleb]

So is the fuel setup he has on it ok or do I need to change it? 

Where does the battery overflow connect to on the battery?  I didn't see anywhere a hose would connect.

[ben2go]

I was out working on the bike a little and checking out the condition of various things.  I found a few things and would like any help you guys can give me about what they are, identify any problems and if I need to fix/do anything about them.  I've got plenty of pics to describe the issues.  I've used links to the pics instead of actual pics because they're pretty big and I want the size there in case you guys need to see it close up to identify problems.  Thank you very much for any help/advice you can give me!!

First of all, I looked at the fuel hoses since I couldn't find the petcock and here's what I saw...It seems there's one hose that comes out of the tank and goes right back to the petcock.  I'm assuming that normally goes to the petcock switch, but I'm not sure.  I've also included a pic of where the petcock usually is from the side.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/2.jpg   http://pktdo.com/GS500/8.jpg

This hose was disconnected and it looks to attach to the bottom of the airbox and run to nothing at the bottom of the bike.  It looks like some kind of drainage hose or something, although I have no idea what what drain from the airbox.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/4.jpg

Fainlly, we've got this little tube.  It also runs down to the bottom of the bike and looks like a drainage hose but it doesn't attach to anything. The color of it makes me think it was part of the fuel system or something like that.

http://pktdo.com/GS500/5.jpg

The first pic.The hose that is connected to the fitting thats NOT on the tank petcock is the drain from the recessed fuel cap.It needs to be fixed.Any water gets around the fuel cap area is going into the fuel tank.Also that hose is connected to the onside of the tank petcock,so you are getting fuel from the reserve side of the petcock.

Second pic.That filter with the brass filter element could be resrictive.The best have a really fine mesh inside.

Third pic.That hose is connected to the air box it drains condensation and fuel,if a float hangs open.You need it connected and make sure the end has the wedge shaped cap.It keeps dirt out but allows liquid to pass through it.Without the cap you are sucking unfiltered air and anything the front tire kicks up may get sucked into the air box and carbs.

Fourth pic.That is the drain hose for the stock type flooded lead acid battery.Without it connected to the battery it will leak acid down the frame,stripping paint and corroding anything it touches.

[ben2go]

So is the fuel setup he has on it ok or do I need to change it? 

Where does the battery overflow connect to on the battery?  I didn't see anywhere a hose would connect.

Should be a little nipple on the side of the battery close to the top edge.Maybe post a pic of the top of the battery.I can point it out that way if it has a drain.

[tripleb]

Thanks for your help Ben!!  It sounds like I have some work to do so I will probably ask you guys for help again.  I get to work on fixing that stuff...

[ben2go]

Thanks for your help Ben!!  It sounds like I have some work to do so I will probably ask you guys for help again.  I get to work on fixing that stuff...

You're welcome.

[Trwhouse]

Yo tripleb,

Did you not see my long post above in response to your question?
I'd get a frame-mounted petcock and redo it all to make it work properly.
The Honda petcock is the cheapest and possibly best option for you, in addition to all new fuel lines and gas tank vent lines.
Like I said, get a manual so you can see how all the fuel tubes are routed.

Yours,
Todd

[tripleb]

Yeah, I saw your post.  I just wanted to show everyone the situation in pics because I don't have the knowledge to confirm what you thought was the issue.  It seems you were right though and I'm looking at picking up the CR250 petcock.  Thanks for the help.

[tripleb]

with the help of several people on this board I'm almost done with my bike once I get my new jets from Buddha.  Here's some pics of the side covers, grab bar center piece that I've primed.  I kinda like the prime gunmetal color and I'm thinking about leaving it like that.  the only issue I have with it is that anyone that has ever painted a car or bike will know that it's just primer.  What do you guys think?  I'm not sure which is more representative of the color in daylight.

with flash

   

without flash

[daliumong]

its all personal preference, personally, i don't mind people seeing me ride around on my rat bike, in my multiple speedboard-accident rashed leathers. If you like the primer thing, stick with it, don't let other people influence what/how your ride. at my age anyways, thats how squids are born

[bill14224]

Primer won't wear well like a couple good coats of gray paint would.  Primer absorbs water.  It won't last unless you put real paint over it.  Also, your bike is the same as the 1990 model you had.  No significant changes during that time.  Here is an online service manual that covers your bike so you can route all your hoses correctly:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7178815/Suzuki-GS500-Full-Service-Manual

And guys, the purple with pink and red with pink paint schemes were an attempt by Suzuki in the 90's to market this bike to girls.  That's why you hate the paint scheme!  I suspect my '94 also was originally purple with white wheels but is yellow now.

[bill14224]

its all personal preference, personally, i don't mind people seeing me ride around on my rat bike, in my multiple speedboard-accident rashed leathers. If you like the primer thing, stick with it, don't let other people influence what/how your ride. at my age anyways, thats how squids are born

I can't tell you how much I LOVE hearing from young guys who don't let peers do their thinking for them.  Maybe there's hope for this world after all! 

[tripleb]

well with the primer not wearing well I've decided to go with truck bed liner black.  It should be rough enough to withstand anything I can throw at it and still have the matte look I'm looking for.  Hopefully, I'll have the tank sanded, primered and painted as well by Wed.  I'll put pics up when I'm done.

[joshr08]

I really hope you dont ever change your mind if you doin your bike in bedliner because your not going to get it off if you ever change your mind.