Fuel system confussions

[SurfinCR]

before i go any further with restoring this bike, i wanted to find out some more of this bike. i havent worked on street bikes prior to now. worked on a 2 stroke engine years ago. plus i am a little unfamiliar with suzuki's. i have a 89 kat 600 parts bike that i am using to restore my 88 kat 600 i am using the 89 engine and carb set up since it looks a little better then the one that was on the bike. i found that the petcock of the 88 has on fuel line and one on the carbs, the 89 has a duel fuel line petcock and on the carbs. now my question is which is the correct setup and after i rebuild the 88 engine would i still be able to use the same carbs from the 89? just for referance the 89 engine setup is untested. second has anyone used fuel tank sealent an how did they like it?

-Chris

[illinoiskat]

The bike is supposed to be the same from 88 to 97. Or, rather the parts should swap in those years. They made minor changes, with out changing the whole package.

[The CyberPoet]

Actually, the '88 has a number of unique features that were revised for the '89 model year, including changes in the front brake rotor offsets, the caliper mounts, the rear sprocket, the carbs and few other items. That said, both engines still displace the same amount (600cc) and thus the carbs from either should still fuel the bike properly.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[SurfinCR]

oh man, so i am guessing that i wont be able to use some of the parts i have such as the front brake calipers? thanks for the help. i was trying to decide whether or not i should keep the second set of carbs i have.

-Chris

[ThAzKat]

There are enough parts out there for the needs. I would avoid tank sealer if you can.
You can swap the whole frontend if you have it.
I would, for tuning and running. If you need the bike up and running quickly the extra set of carbs will help.

[meanstrk]

I would avoid tank sealer if you can.

I am real curious as to this statement. What would make you say this? Numerous people, including myself, have used a Kreem kit to seal their tank with excellent results.

[ThAzKat]

I have seen it aplied wrong and work it's way through the whole system. Yes, alot of people have had great success with it. I just don't IMO like to use it.

[SurfinCR]

unfortunatley i have no choice but to use it unless i find a fuel tank for less than the 30 it would cost me for the kit. i was looking at eastwood's kit plus the tank will be sitting for 2-3 months before touching gas. i just wondered if it did a good enough job to stop the rust for a long time.

[ThAzKat]

That is great, I have cleaned so many systems because some don't wait the time it calls for. you are definitely giving it plunty of time to set. Like meanstrk said it does do a good job. Make sure you read and follow instructions to the T.

[The CyberPoet]

I would avoid tank sealer if you can.

I am real curious as to this statement. What would make you say this? Numerous people, including myself, have used a Kreem kit to seal their tank with excellent results.

Here in Florida, I've seen numerous occassions where Kreem or RedKoat breaks down over time (usually several years), possibly in part due to the heat, and when it does, it layers off little chunks of the latex-type coatings they use. I recommend using either Yamaha's tank cleaner, or POR-15's solution (an epoxy-like hard coat used after an acid-stripper) instead (or both the yahama cleaner and the POR-15 solution). The upside is that the POR-15 motorcycle gas tank kit includes a special cleaner that removes failing Kreem and RedKoat products... There simply is no phrase that will accurately express my annoyance at a failing layer of Kreem clogging up the fueling system of a bike...

More details on how to deal with gas tank rust here:
CyberPoet's How to Deal with Rust in your Motorcycle Gas Tank (includes links, part numbers, etc).

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

Ditto Cyber, where have you been?
The problems I have seen are do to not allowing time to cure in Ohio and here in Arizona is due to the 110+ summers, which enflates breakdown time of the before mentioned products.

[The CyberPoet]

Ditto Cyber, where have you been?

Social life... friends in from out of town, family gatherings with the gf's family, neighborhood xmas drinking parties, etc.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

Sounds like you have had a blast! Merry Belated Christmas!