Well the only part that I didn't replace yet in the fuel system finally let go. All the rubber in the fuel system went bad so far. I had to replace the crossover rubber hose that goes from the right side fuel tank to the left tank - I came out into the garage and smelled gas, walked over to the bike and saw dripping. I rolled it out into the drive way started feeling around and the rubber hose just disintegrated in my fingers... So that got replaced.
Next the acceleration pump/diaphragm in the carb cracked and leaked - so I rebuilt the carb!!
NOW - I just finished cleaning and waxing the bike - dam it looks so good when it's clean. I fired it up and noticed a dripping from under petcock - first I thought it was just water from it's bath, then it just kept dripping??? so I put my fingers in it and gave it a smell - fuel!?! WTF NOW??? I tried to tighten any and all the screws first - NO GO.
I went straight to my shop manual - Vacuum operated fuel supply valve -? vacuum operated? OK, so I read on, this is a safety precaution device - no vacuum no flow. So now I realize that the valve has a "rubber" diaphragm in it. Worst part of this is - you can't rebuild it - it needs to be replaced.
OK no problem - I can do this - BUT my favorite parts supplier doesn't carry this part - and - Harley doesn't have the original part but a new design. It will work - but it looks different than the old stock part. I guess I'm going to replace it with the new style but I wanted the bike to keep as original as possible. I'd rather be riding it tho so I'm going with the new style.
I'll take pics of the process as I do it - keep you all posted.
The one thing about this bike - it always breaks at home - THANK YOU!! better to be broken in the driveway and not out there on the road. She really does love me!!

New Part is in the house - I need some special pipe sealant with teflon that I'm trying to locate locally. Once I get it repairs shouldn't take too long.
Bike is up on the lift and waiting for me to fix her.
I've sent DeerSlayer a pm and waiting to hear back from him but maybe someone else might be able to answer my question in the mean time.

The manual calls for "LOCTITE PIPE SEALANT WITH TEFLON or equivalent" anybody know if teflon tape, the white stuff I use for plumbing will work? or is there a comprable brand/product that can be used.
I need to seal the threads that connect the valve to the bottom of the gas tank and the sealant must hold against fuel.

Thanks in advance to anyone and any help.
RK

My man Deer Slayer came through...

"I have always used just Teflon tape with no problems." DeerSlayer



Thank You!!
OK - I'm going for it - I'll take pics as I go.

Well I used the teflon tape and it worked great - Thanks Again DeerSlayer!!

Here's some pics to show what went down

Getting her up on the jacks took longer than fixing it.

First I had to siphon out the gas from the tanks - all but a pint came out and the last of it I caught with a can and poured into the gas can... and yes I made a mess - but gas evaporates quickly so - all gone.

The original part that went bad - valve or petcock - what ever.

Once out - the filter was full of crud

Gas tank with the old valve removed

Here's what came next:

Close up of the filter - it was in there for 19 years so I guess it's to be expected to be dirty

The new valve straight out of the box - with instructions

The new valve installed on the bike.

NOTE:
The instructions weren't written right - If I followed them to the letter the valve would have fallen off.
They state - 2 turns only on the valve then tighten the nut to the tank - but the nut needed almost 6 turns to tight... the valve would have fallen off so I did it like this:

I put the 2 turns on the valve then went half a turn for good measure.
I then turned the whole assembly the almost 6 turns then had to back off the valve an eighth to make is straight...

Bike fired right up and I took it for a short test ride to make sure everything was working - It's all good now & no more gas leak.

these bikes are so easy to work on now. everything comes apart and go back together easy. very rarely do you have to destroy a part to get it off, most it's either a quick disconnect or a nut. good job

You're right - it was pretty easy once I knew I could use the teflon tape - but - it still took some common sense to get it done right. I don't know what it is - I get a little anxious before I start a repair on this bike - I know I can do it, I'm afraid I'll Fk it up... Once I start in on it though then I get relaxed and instincts take over.
Thanks for the input - & thanks for the advise - Having you tell me I did a good job, means a lot!!

Narly looking trash on the filter RK.

It's been in there since brand new - 1994... I guess it did it's job pretty well - After seeing the crud I flushed the tanks before I put the new one in.