Petcock problems?

want to get some opinions, last two morning start ups bike cranked up as usual with choke out, then I usually let it idle that way while I put the gloves and helmet on. well both mornings it died out and did not want to restart. First morning I pulled the breather to see if it was getting gas and it sprayed ok and cranked up. yesterday morning I pulled the breather and no spray, pulled gas line off petcock and it was dry. pulled off vacuum line and pulled slight vacuum on it and valve opened o.k., put line back on and bike started up o.k. Both days it started and ran fine the rest of the day. I'am thinking the petcock diaphram sticking. Any other opinions or a way of knowing its the petcock for sure, hate being a parts changer without being sure of problem.:witsend:

I am assuming that it is the stock vac operated one???? If it is, get rid of it, go with a gravity fed one, lot less hassels.....maybe it could be the spring that is going bad???????????

wouldn't go gravity feed, if you forget to turn it off it could flood your carb and crankcase if the float needle sticks.
Stock petcocks are easy to take apart, don't know if they have repair kits, new ones don't cost that much about $30.00 if I remember correctly, had to get one last year. Could also be a vacumn leak, the vac hose could be cracked. jmo

Yes, we oldschoolers always turn-on/off the life giving/life taketh away, almighty, lord of the gas valves~! Each and everytime we approch and/or even think of approching our 2 wheeled vehicle of destruction~! It's a very simple thing to do/rememeber, it keeps us from having issues such as these and it makes us look really smart and pretty cool too~!
My advice: buy a beautuful Pingel for $100 and be done with it for the life of your bike!

:roflmao:I know what u mean, can't hardly get my wife to petcock either
gonna look into pulling vacuum hose to see if its bad, if not think I'll replace the petcock with factory type.
Thanks for the opinions

A flasher approached three elderly ladies sitting on a park bench.
He flashes them.
The first old lady had a stroke.
The the second old lady had a stroke.
The third old lady had arthitis and couldn't reach it.

Finally, somebody with some taste!!!!

Sounds like a good plan BG. Check the hose first and then go from there. Let us know what the problem was.

well wasn't the vacuum hose, The petcock stuck on me again during this weekends ride, put the tools i needed to get it going in my bag before leaving so was able to get it going. picked up a new petcock from Harley shop today, 85 smackers wow, expected it to be around 50 tops. parts guy said all carburated fuel system part prices are on the way up.

You should've got a nice Pingel for $100. Much nicer and will last for years and years.
All the carbie parts are going up? yeah right, why?
Sounds like B.S to me BG.
Anyway, glad to hear your back on the road~! Keep the shiney side up Buddy!

Smart move, it'll bolt right in and no more worries, $85.00 is a bit more than I paid last year for one, but I had to drive 120 mile each way to find a shop that had one in stock on a Monday morning. The one you had did last for years & years so I am sure this new will also.

I probably could have got it cheaper!!!!

sounds like I need to check with JB before buying in the future

:roflmao::roflmao: That wiring harness that I got him was regular $180...I got it for $149.... And it came from the dealer as well....