Bogging down and loose part in fuel tank - 1999 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[rtizzer]

Hello all,

My 1999 Suzuki bandit 1200 has been bogging down lately. It used to only do it after riding hard at high RPMs, now it's constant any time I ride. I removed the tank and petcock and found out that this pictured object is rolling around loose in there. It's pretty heavy for its size, I researched it including looking at parts diagrams but could not find this part anywhere.

I was planning on replacing the petcock to start off with. Of course it could be carbs, but I figured I'd start there. However I'm assuming nothing should be loose in the tank... could this be part of the problem? Any other suggestions for where to start aside from the petcock? All fuel lines are in tact and not pinched or anything. Fuel gauge has never worked... maybe that has something to do with this too.

Thanks in advance for any ideas and help!

 

[ZRX Mitch]

Thats an old Fitch Fuel Catalyst, black magic junk. Does the Bandit have a fuel filter?

 

[rtizzer]

Thats an old Fitch Fuel Catalyst, black magic junk. Does the Bandit have a fuel filter?

In the trash it goes! The fuel filter(s?) is/are attached to the petcock I believe. See attached photo of the one I'm considering purchasing which is identical

 

[TWTim]

Does it idle normally then bog down under load, or is the idle rough as well? If it idles okay, where in the revs does it start bogging? It could be a lot of things. Fuel-wise, it could be the petcock, a clogged fuel filter, a pinched fuel line, or even a carburetion problem. Air-wise, it could be a clogged air filter, vacuum leak, etc. Electrically, it could be a bad coil or an errant ground, among other things.