81 GPz550. cylinders 1 & 3 wont fire???

No need to buy a new petcock. All the parts necessary to rebuild yours are available (Active) so any online or local dealer can get them for you. (see diagram) Ed

Ethanol in today’s Gasoline

Today's gasoline(for the most part)contains Ethanol, not friendly to carb parts(floats, jets, and rubber fittings, including diaphrams on the CV carbs, and the vacuum operated petcock). Read this:

Ethanol In Gasoline Problems (E-10, E-15, E-20, E-30, & E-85)

Certain materials commonly used with gasoline may be incompatible with high-level ethanol blends, causing them to degrade and contaminate the fuel. Metals that have been shown to degrade over time in the presence of high-level alcohol blends include brass,(floats & jets) lead, zinc(carb bodies) and lead-based solder.

Nonmetallic materials that degrade when in contact with ethanol include natural rubber, polyurethane, cork gasket material, leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyamides, and certain thermoplastic or thermoset polymers.

On the other hand, unplated steel, nickel-plated steel, stainless steel, black iron and bronze have shown resistance to ethanol corrosion, with nonmetallic materials like reinforced fiberglass, Buna-N, Neoprene rubber, polypropylene, nitrile rubber, Viton and Teflon meeting acceptable usage standards with E85.

1. Ethanol can break down resins and fillers in fiberglass gas tanks, causing them to leak.

2. Resins leached from fiberglass tanks can go through the fuel system, sticking to valves and other internal engine parts.

3.These deposits have caused bent pushrods and have clogged intake valves.

4.The alcohol attracts water, leading to increased corrosion in metal gas tanks.

5.Water in the fuel affects the octane and leads to knocking and decreased performance.

6.Ethanol acts as an efficient solvent, gradually cleaning out the accumulated gunk in fuel tanks and lines, and clogging carburetors.

7. Certain rubber gaskets and fuel lines are weakened by ethanol. Some rubber fuel lines may develop internal swelling, restricting the flow of gasoline. My understanding is the Silicone fuel lines resist the effects of Ethanol in gas.

8. The Ethanol in the gas has been reported to attack the glue used in gas filters, rendering them useless, as the paper filter medium is now coated with glue. It also softened the filter hose connection ends, causing possible failure.

It's possible that carb float(s) may have a leak, letting in gasoline, and having the excess go into the engine's crankcase, diluting the oil. To check, open up the oil filler cap, and give it a sniff, if you smell gas, do not operate the engine, as the oil may be contaminated. Fix the leak, and change the oil before using the bike.


For more information about Ethanol, and it’s supporters, read this:
news.yahoo.com/boost-cars-bust-ethanol-d...heats-072447781.html

Found a rebuild kit at my local dealer. 40$ later... Over priced if you ask me. Gotta wait till payday though. Cheers all.

Scallywag wrote: Found a rebuild kit at my local dealer. 40$ later... Over priced if you ask me. Gotta wait till payday though. Cheers all.

Good grief! I hope that dealer is wearing a mask, because he is robbing you! :blink:


Here are the Partzilla prices for the 5 parts circled in red in the diagram above. Just plug in the part number at the top of the page in the link. Ed

find.partzilla.com/?s=1&q=11009-1188&x=12&y=8

11009-1188 $2.91
43028-1021 $12.62
51039-003 $2.91
92055-1085 $2.31
92081-1240 $1.79

TOTAL = $22.54