ran out of gas!

Well I guess HD didn't do it right OR ya got another year or two before it happens since the bike was 6 years old when it started.

Sounds like Harley didn't prep the metal first. Remember, they don't use locktite, either .

I have decided to live with the leather bag for the time being (it's the smallest one I could find) - it's crazy not having a few basic tools and a spare set of points on an old shovelhead. Simple tool kit has: crescent wrench, vice grips, spare points, screwdriver with various tips including allen tips, electrical wire, zip ties, electrical tape, fuses, and a tire pressure gauge. Everything is wrapped up in a shop rag and stuffed in the bag.

There may be another way to carry the tools. I have thought of using a steel or aluminum canister with a screw-on lid and mounting it under the oil tank just behind the rear cylinder (2 1/2" or 3" in dia. x 6" long). Figuring out a way to mount it is the problem . . . mighty tight quarters. Of course, it would be painted flat black .

Anyone that has half a clue could make it last....Geeze if all you had to do was peel the paint off and wax it....No prep work was done....Paint or powder coat won't stick to a hard smooth surface...it needs to be scuffed up,primed then painted...If it was done half way right you shouldn't have known it was a chrome tank underneath the paint....

You mean to say the motor company screwed up?!?!?! I don't believe it! It's not possible.

With the QC Harley has...It is hard to believe they'd eff up something as simple as painting an oil bag

It looked great for several years then all of a sudden flaking

Nah. I've never had an issue with plugs while on the road. I take mine out from time to time and look them over. A little cleaning and regapping and they go back in. I change plugs every winter. I also "shave" my new plugs before installing.

This winter I'm pulling the barrels for a bore job. There are deep scratches in the rear cylinder which we couldn't get out when the cylinders were honed last winter. It has always puffed a bit of oil out the tail pipe when starting and I'm having to top off the oil from time to time because of the burning. Tattoo recommends Wiseco pistons.

Bag don't look too bad at front. What about one of those side bags guys run on some Sportys?

Bag matches style of the bike, nice old school look, should hold all you may need for a quick road side repair.
Wiseco are good pistons, that is what we used when we were racing, never heard the term "shave" in relation to spark plugs.

If you look at the plug from the electrode end, you would cut back the side electrode until half of the center electrode is showing. Hot rodders back in the day did this to improve performance of their plugs. Got this idea, I think, from Charlie46.

I have a leather side bag but don't use it anymore. To my eye, bike looks cleaner without it.

But did it really improve performance??
Leather tool bag looks good....Flat black n leather go good together

Well, one is supposed to get better fuel milage and a hair more HP. I don't think it's noticable on my scoot. Sometimes I think it is, and . . . sometimes I think it ain't. But racers did it. Now you can buy similar plugs for racing applications, though they are more expensive. Anyway, they would cut the side electrode all the way back to the edge of the center electrode and regap at a 45 degree angle, subtracting something like 10% of the manufacturers recommended gap. Lots of pros and cons. Who knows?

If you say so . . . I'll change to a fresh set of plugs today and leave them alone and see if there is any change. What I've been trying for is better gas milage. Right now I'm averaging 37 MPG. I just like to tinker with things and yup, I plead guilty to living in the past. I've been told that from time to time .

That motor is from the 50's. I'd still cut them back and index then so the open gap points directly at the intake valve. Or get the new style V shaped plugs and indexed them. 'Couldent hurt, probably help. It's fun anyway. JMO