I miss owning a carbureted bike. It was a ritual... open fuel petcock, pull choke, twist throttle a couple times, turn on ignition, start... and the simplicity, my God how I miss the simplicity. Whenever I have too tear into my M8, it's getting a carburetor.
Excellent Video ... I found all that out the hard way ... because the service manual doesn't really talk about the Vacuum Control Valve ... I think it was the cause of a gas feed failure when I was riding in very hot weather ... You really cannot test the valve unless you apply vacuum, and the factory route the tubing takes is kinda wierd ... I did purchase a straight through, but I haven't put it on yet ... good review about the straight thru valve ... Thanks ...
Weird, i have the 2000 Fatboy which as you know had the vacuum petcock and I seen the price of them and the rebuild kits and said I'll just try the Pingel, so I did, the 1st one I installed I'd always forget to shut the fuel off (spoiled with that vacuum) and come out to a whole tank of gas on the ground. Did this a few times. so I got another gravity fed petcock and not once has it leaked out if I forgot to turn off the valve. But its' what I'm sticking with cuz it works. And i have the deep jiffy stand too, the one that makes you think its going to the ground and catches you off guard occasionally. lol. But thats my story on petcocks and my bike, Thanks for all your videos Doc, you've helped me out quite a few times.
Those Keihin vacuum fuel valves abound on the major carbed brands too and are available in non-vacuum styles. They work well enough but I never run the vacuum style because I prefer manual control. If one fails and ya need to fix it quickly a Japanese dealer may have a match or close enough (bring your old one as a sample). YMMV but all my personal HDs get Pingel fuel valves. My oldest Pingel had daily use from 1988 until the mid-2000s when it started to seep. I resealed it and it's still going strong. Golan are fine too but I ensure all my aftermarket fuel valves match for convenience since I bought the Pingel rebuild kit to service my fleet. (I haven't had to rebuild any other Pingels but the kit was cheap at a swap meet.)
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson How did y'all do Doc? Hopefully the water receded quickly! I know how this goes, I live in Sneads Ferry, right on the coast in NC right above Wilmington. Thanks again Doc for all you do for us!
A bad vacuum fuel valve can also pull fuel through the vacuum and dump it into the intake, the fuel can then pass the piston rings and end in your engine oil.
Doc, The diaphragm on my valve ('95 FLHTC) went bad 2 years ago (2020). The new valve was approx $94 at the time. I replaced the whole thing rather than just the kit because my screen was getting bad also. Another troubleshooting tip is to check the quality of the vacuum tube from the carb to the diaphragm. Mine was getting a little crispy.
Thanks Doc. Glad your back. Look forward to more videos. I actually had that issue on my older 2000 FatBoy and went back to the old style petcock. One day I forgot to shut it off and someone said hey fuel is all I we the place. Now I run a 2019 Road glide and no issues as of yet except the vents in the fairing won’t stay open. Anyway you hanks again and two weeks ago at a local Arizona dealer I saw a Low Country Harley shirt and wanted to ask him if he knew of you. Someday I need to make a road trip to Low Country.
I'm surprised you work on that old of a bike at that dealership. Dealerships in my area won't work on anything older than 10 years. You have to go to the independent shops. Of course the best Harley techs are at these shops anyway and they don't charge you an arm and a leg.
This is why I have been able to work so long at our dealership. I lived and worked on the "Old" motorcycles so we can offer service. The owner is Old School....Doc
Good advice…I just installed a Pingel on my 97 King tonight getting rid of a regular mechanical style petcock. I know this video is old but if you have a chance, I just rebuilt my cv to get ready for the season, the rebuild kit I got from Harley has a shorter accelerator pump spring than the one that came out…curious if there’s any variance between kits or what. I’m pretty well versed in carbs (4 bbls mostly) but I can’t really think of any reason the spring would be longer that was in there. I’m going to measure the compressed length but I’m looking at the longer spring will likely refill the pump reservoir quicker but potentially bottom out sooner giving less squirt…figured I’d ask if you have any insight. Thanks again and hope to meet you soon!!
I'm Glad you are back ... Love yOUr video ... Je suis content . Que tu sois de retour . J'adore tes vidéos ... Merci Thanks ... From Montréal province of Québec , Canada ... A french Guy
Hey Doc Happy 4th to you and family. Like to know why Harley-Davidson does not have a temperature gauge to let us know if stuck in traffic we don’t cook our engines. We spend big money seems a gauge gives us a fighting chance
Did Harley add the vacuum valve mid-year? I bought my 94 softail in May of 94 and it has the non-vacuum valve. I can tell when I don't turn it off due to the smell of gasoline in the garage.
Yes, I'm the original owner. 28 years and 137,000± miles. Still has the original clutch and only time the motor was disassembled was to powder coat the jugs/heads.
Great video, Doc - thanks much! Does HD still sell vacuum operated (22mm) fuel valves? I've been looking to replace the one on my 1999 Sportster 1200, but am not having any luck finding them online. Found plenty non-vacuum options, but I'd prefer to stick with the same type if possible.
Question? I have a 2021 Ultra and last year the coolant was overflowing. Took to dealer and they kept it a week. They said it needed a new Pressure Cap which they supplied under warranty. I had no problems until last month and it started to overflow again. I replaced the Cap myself and it appeared to have solved the problem again. My question, are their any know flaws with the OEM Cap that you are aware of? I searched the internet with no good answers. Any after market options? Thanks in advance.
Question..i have a 2004 harley roadking custom. Should I consider replacing the fuel pump even if I am not having issues?Some have said to because of the age.
Can I ask a somewhat related question, in that it has to do with the fuel tank? My 05 Sportster tank has another hose coming off the right side of the tank, maybe a vent line? Can I replace this tank with an earlier model tank and just use a vented gas cap? Thank you
I have a 1997 road king fuel injected. Both check valves are leaking. I replaced the O-rings and the problem did not fix. Not sure what to do from this point, they don’t make the check valve anymore. Can check valves from a different year be substituted? I’m trying to find these check valves used and I cannot find them. Harley Davidson said they weren’t sure how I can fix the problem either.
Had the issue with my 06 sportster, fuel pourring in the vacuum line directly in the intake, big over-rich mixture, black plugs and run like shit. I try to bypass the damn diaphragm, but it was not working well, so, for the price, i have buy a "Golan" (like Pingel but only better).... On all my previous bike i had to shut off the valve, so i had the habbit to keep turning it on the off position (even the vacuum valve).
Just bought a used 2008 1200 sportster,,it has ver small leak around a black valve maybe under tank? Could this as simple as o ring or should i replace it
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks doc..i discovered that oring is bad...I am 67 and been avoiding coming to lowcountry harley because i fear i will buy a new bike LOL..Bday is this week so i just may pay you guys a visit,,i am looking to find a used softail deuce but they are hard to find locally,,,Who is best salesperson to work with at Lowcountry..
Put Pingel petcocks on all my bikes. I'm an old fart that grew up with normal petcocks. And at end of the day I turn off petcock and let bike run out of gas.
too many gizmos on modern bikes. and yet they left the tank cross over line on FLH's and no way to drain the tank that has FI, That us unless you don't mid making a big mess with gasoline spilling down your hands , arms and onto the nice carpet on in your work shop. Dumb ass engineers should have put a drain valve in those bikes, but a few dollars would have had to be invested and they don't give a shit about the owners health and safety. Yes I read and followed the FSM and to say the least, that procedure sucks.
As always good info Doc, however I'm old school,I've been riding bikes since 1969 and only forgot one time to turn off the gas. There's no need to over think things for BOZOs who can't remember to shut off the gas. There's no need to to baby people. Ride a bicycle, Damn!!!
Mr Ray I believe it is yours and mine to share what we know. So many young ones have the fever for old school with no one to tell them It Is not like your Lexus......Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson So no need to use the vaccume, great!! Thanks for all your fast respons. I recommend your Channel to all Harley riders in Sweden. Thank and have a great day. Sincerly Janne from Sweden
Glad your back and well Doc !
Thanks DeeJay...Doc
Don't forget that if you switch back to the non vacuum fuel valve you're going to have to plug the vacuum line!
I miss owning a carbureted bike. It was a ritual... open fuel petcock, pull choke, twist throttle a couple times, turn on ignition, start... and the simplicity, my God how I miss the simplicity.
Whenever I have too tear into my M8, it's getting a carburetor.
Old School Rules.....Doc
Sounds like switching to the old style is easier with less failure points
Excellent Video ... I found all that out the hard way ... because the service manual doesn't really talk about the Vacuum Control Valve ... I think it was the cause of a gas feed failure when I was
riding in very hot weather ... You really cannot test the valve unless you apply vacuum, and the factory route the tubing takes is kinda wierd ... I did purchase a straight through, but I haven't
put it on yet ... good review about the straight thru valve ... Thanks ...
Welcome Back Doc!!!!! Good to see you posting once again and looks like you are doing well.... God does answer prayers. Be safe and be well Doc!!!!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, They helped...Doc
Weird, i have the 2000 Fatboy which as you know had the vacuum petcock and I seen the price of them and the rebuild kits and said I'll just try the Pingel, so I did, the 1st one I installed I'd always forget to shut the fuel off (spoiled with that vacuum) and come out to a whole tank of gas on the ground. Did this a few times. so I got another gravity fed petcock and not once has it leaked out if I forgot to turn off the valve. But its' what I'm sticking with cuz it works. And i have the deep jiffy stand too, the one that makes you think its going to the ground and catches you off guard occasionally. lol. But thats my story on petcocks and my bike, Thanks for all your videos Doc, you've helped me out quite a few times.
Thanks for sharing Tim...Doc
Welcome back, Doc. Glad to see you again.
Thanks Jeremy....Doc
Those Keihin vacuum fuel valves abound on the major carbed brands too and are available in non-vacuum styles. They work well enough but I never run the vacuum style because I prefer manual control. If one fails and ya need to fix it quickly a Japanese dealer may have a match or close enough (bring your old one as a sample).
YMMV but all my personal HDs get Pingel fuel valves. My oldest Pingel had daily use from 1988 until the mid-2000s when it started to seep. I resealed it and it's still going strong. Golan are fine too but I ensure all my aftermarket fuel valves match for convenience since I bought the Pingel rebuild kit to service my fleet. (I haven't had to rebuild any other Pingels but the kit was cheap at a swap meet.)
Did you say Fleet of bikes?🥲…..Doc
Glad you are back..stay healthy we need you
Thank you for your kind words....Doc
Thanks Doc! Y'all stay safe down there in the low country with Ian passing through!
Thanks for caring....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson How did y'all do Doc? Hopefully the water receded quickly! I know how this goes, I live in Sneads Ferry, right on the coast in NC right above Wilmington. Thanks again Doc for all you do for us!
Welcome back Doc. Thanks for the history lesson.
History is what I lived and happy to share.....Doc
Great to see you back Doc.
Thank you Allen....Doc
Welcome back Doc, balance has been restored in the Harley universe!!
Thank you Glenn for the humor.....Doc
Great to have you back. Hope all is well in your world. I had to rewatch your older video to get my 'Doc fix'
I appreciate that Omar....Doc
Hey Doc
Glad to see you back, you’ve been missed sorely.
Great tech tip as usual
Hey, thanks John....Doc
Glad to see you posting videos again Doc.
Thanks for tuning in....Doc
Hey Doc!!! Glad to see you are back I missed you, I hope everything is well with you now
Thank you Richard....Doc
welcome back Doc, glad to you see back your feet. Keep it up and best wishes to you.
Much appreciated...Doc
A bad vacuum fuel valve can also pull fuel through the vacuum and dump it into the intake, the fuel can then pass the piston rings and end in your engine oil.
Nice to see you again Doc. Hope all is well and stays that way!
Thank you Haigha.....Doc
Glad to see you back cheers from Australia
Cheers Mate...Doc
Doc, The diaphragm on my valve ('95 FLHTC) went bad 2 years ago (2020). The new valve was approx $94 at the time. I replaced the whole thing rather than just the kit because my screen was getting bad also. Another troubleshooting tip is to check the quality of the vacuum tube from the carb to the diaphragm. Mine was getting a little crispy.
Thanks for sharing...Doc
Your help for Harley owners is unique, thanks for all ,all these years.
Thank you for watching all these years....Doc
I missed you. And I’m glad your back. Safe prayed up and enjoy the ride.
Thank you! You too....Doc
Thanks Doc. Glad your back. Look forward to more videos. I actually had that issue on my older 2000 FatBoy and went back to the old style petcock. One day I forgot to shut it off and someone said hey fuel is all I we the place. Now I run a 2019 Road glide and no issues as of yet except the vents in the fairing won’t stay open. Anyway you hanks again and two weeks ago at a local Arizona dealer I saw a Low Country Harley shirt and wanted to ask him if he knew of you. Someday I need to make a road trip to Low Country.
Thanks for sharing...Doc
Thanks doc. I always enjoy your tech tips. Never to old to learn.
Thanks for tuning in Brad....Doc
Great video! I’m rebuilding a 97 bad boy right now. You just confirmed what I thought about that valve
Welcome back Doc you were missed. We prayed for you . Hope everything went well for you
Thank you for you support and prayers....Doc
I'm surprised you work on that old of a bike at that dealership. Dealerships in my area won't work on anything older than 10 years. You have to go to the independent shops. Of course the best Harley techs are at these shops anyway and they don't charge you an arm and a leg.
This is why I have been able to work so long at our dealership. I lived and worked on the "Old" motorcycles so we can offer service. The owner is Old School....Doc
Awesome content thanks Doc.
Thank you for taking the time to watch...Doc
Good advice…I just installed a Pingel on my 97 King tonight getting rid of a regular mechanical style petcock. I know this video is old but if you have a chance, I just rebuilt my cv to get ready for the season, the rebuild kit I got from Harley has a shorter accelerator pump spring than the one that came out…curious if there’s any variance between kits or what. I’m pretty well versed in carbs (4 bbls mostly) but I can’t really think of any reason the spring would be longer that was in there. I’m going to measure the compressed length but I’m looking at the longer spring will likely refill the pump reservoir quicker but potentially bottom out sooner giving less squirt…figured I’d ask if you have any insight. Thanks again and hope to meet you soon!!
Never mind…I pulled it apart and measured compressed length vs the other and they’re both the same.
Great News….Doc
Hi Doc-another excellent tech tip and presentation! Welcome back! I was getting serious tech withdrawal symptoms without your regular tech videos.
Thank you...Doc
Great vid doc. Ty!
Good to see you Doc! Hope all is well.
Thank you Mark...Doc
I took the one on my 95 Sporty apart, cleaned it all up, put it back, works great.
Well Done Randal....Doc
Good to see you Doc. Interesting topic.
Thank you kindly....Doc
Good to have you back, so all okay with you I hope! Cheers from the Netherlands
Thanks Tim for staying with us....Doc
Glad you're back !
Thank you....Doc
Glad to see you’re back dock
Thanks Ron...Doc
Welcome back.
Thank you Doc...Doc
I'm Glad you are back ... Love yOUr video ... Je suis content . Que tu sois de retour . J'adore tes vidéos ... Merci Thanks ... From Montréal province of Québec , Canada ... A french Guy
Glad to hear from a viewer up North.....Doc
Thank you Doc ,never knew of this ,may be a way to machine a blank plate to defeat this "" improvement ""
That's a thought....Doc
Good info.. especially if you're on a trip.
Very true....Doc
Hi Doc,
welcome back and many thanks for the information about fuel valves.
Greetings from Germany .....
Harry
Thank you for tuning in.....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Everytime a pleasure .....
Great to see you back!, What's up Doc!!
Thanks Steve....Doc
Great info Doc. Thx
Thank you for watching...Doc
Hey Doc
Glad to see you back!! Do have a video that shows how to repair the check valve in newer bike?
No, I have been debating this because there is NO HD repair. But I have gotten a traveler on the way with a few tricks.....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Awesome Doc
Welcome back…. Missed your knowledge.
Thank you I missed you all....Doc
Great to c you brother. U look great man. Stay safe and thanks for vids. Ur the best
Thank you, I will....Doc
Hey Doc Happy 4th to you and family. Like to know why Harley-Davidson does not have a temperature gauge to let us know if stuck in traffic we don’t cook our engines. We spend big money seems a gauge gives us a fighting chance
Ever since HD put a Fuel Gauge on their bikes there has been complaining. Can't imagine if a Temp gauge was put on...Doc
Did Harley add the vacuum valve mid-year? I bought my 94 softail in May of 94 and it has the non-vacuum valve. I can tell when I don't turn it off due to the smell of gasoline in the garage.
It is possible. Are you the original owner? Maybe the previous owner replaced the factory valve...Doc
Yes, I'm the original owner. 28 years and 137,000± miles. Still has the original clutch and only time the motor was disassembled was to powder coat the jugs/heads.
Great video, Doc - thanks much! Does HD still sell vacuum operated (22mm) fuel valves? I've been looking to replace the one on my 1999 Sportster 1200, but am not having any luck finding them online. Found plenty non-vacuum options, but I'd prefer to stick with the same type if possible.
Your dealer can look one up in HD Vintage parts....Doc
Yay, Doc Harley is back :)
Thank you...Doc
Doc if I change the factory fuel shut-off valve with an after market valve should I cap off the carb port?
Yes.....Doc
Question? I have a 2021 Ultra and last year the coolant was overflowing. Took to dealer and they kept it a week. They said it needed a new Pressure Cap which they supplied under warranty. I had no problems until last month and it started to overflow again. I replaced the Cap myself and it appeared to have solved the problem again. My question, are their any know flaws with the OEM Cap that you are aware of? I searched the internet with no good answers. Any after market options? Thanks in advance.
I am not aware of this issue.....Doc
Missed you Doc!
Thanks Ryker....Doc
Great tip
Glad you think so, Thanks for tuning in....Doc
😎👍
Can you explain the vacuum operated electrical switch and purpose please mate
They can be adjusted for certain models and save money for owners
old school topic. Thanks.....Doc
I wish we had UA-cam in the 70’s.
No George! I would be making these videos instead of riding...Doc
Great video I have a 94 Electra
Cool, thanks....Doc
If you go the old school way, what do you do with the vacuum line? Remove it and plug it up at the carb side?
Yes…..Doc
💕💕💕💕
i have that problem but it stays on... its a 1997 FXDL... i am now going to install a Pingel petcock and plug the vacuum port at the carb...
Good move but remember to always shut that Pingle off…..Doc
Welcome Back 👍
Thanks Greg, Great to see your tuning in,......Doc
Question..i have a 2004 harley roadking custom. Should I consider replacing the fuel pump even if I am not having issues?Some have said to because of the age.
No but if you can find one, buy it. Hard to find spare parts for 2004…..Doc
I bought a complete valve for my 05 xl1200 today at the harley dealer. $54 not $105 gasket was another buck thirty four
Congratulations on your great find….Doc
I have and 05 deluxe that seems like it pouring fuel from the back of it. Time for a new one I guess
Good call….Doc
Can I ask a somewhat related question, in that it has to do with the fuel tank? My 05 Sportster tank has another hose coming off the right side of the tank, maybe a vent line? Can I replace this tank with an earlier model tank and just use a vented gas cap? Thank you
Not enough info. The hose is probably the over fill tube. Earlier tanks had the over flow tube up front and hose went straight down….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson thank you for the reply
I have a 1997 road king fuel injected. Both check valves are leaking.
I replaced the O-rings and the problem did not fix.
Not sure what to do from this point, they don’t make the check valve anymore.
Can check valves from a different year be substituted?
I’m trying to find these check valves used and I cannot find them. Harley Davidson said they weren’t sure how I can fix the problem either.
Do you already have the updated steal braided lines? ….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson
I do, they are fairly old at this point. I could try replacing those.
Had the issue with my 06 sportster, fuel pourring in the vacuum line directly in the intake, big over-rich mixture, black plugs and run like shit.
I try to bypass the damn diaphragm, but it was not working well, so, for the price, i have buy a "Golan" (like Pingel but only better)....
On all my previous bike i had to shut off the valve, so i had the habbit to keep turning it on the off position (even the vacuum valve).
Thanks for sharing....Doc
Just bought a used 2008 1200 sportster,,it has ver small leak around a black valve maybe under tank? Could this as simple as o ring or should i replace it
Please side with the safest way to repair. Leaking fuel so dangerous. Repair before riding…..Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks doc..i discovered that oring is bad...I am 67 and been avoiding coming to lowcountry harley because i fear i will buy a new bike LOL..Bday is this week so i just may pay you guys a visit,,i am looking to find a used softail deuce but they are hard to find locally,,,Who is best salesperson to work with at Lowcountry..
But where do I get oem vacuum petcock? They don’t have it anywhere except ebay and I don’t really trust that
Your local dealer can’t order the last edition offered my HD?….Doc
my issue was remembering to turn it on 😂
Mine was reaserve.....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson My brother, I'm not alone 😁
If I swap from this vacuum setup do I need to plug the vacuum port in the carb? My diaphragm leaks a stream of fuel straight down when running.
Yes plug….Doc
Hi DOC,
In that type of Emergency if your Stuck on a Long Trip and that does go bad.. Could you Just Take Out That Diaphragm, to ride back Home...
👀👂👍👍👍👍👍
👍👍🇨🇦
Is this the real Doc Harley or a computer generated robot Dok Harlie? The real Doc Harley mysteriously disappeared after a video on the EPA.😳
Thanks for the humor Brad...Doc
Put Pingel petcocks on all my bikes. I'm an old fart that grew up with normal petcocks. And at end of the day I turn off petcock and let bike run out of gas.
Second!
Really? Guy goes messing with the carb b4 determining the most simplest thing 1st??
Some times the smallest item is lost in the diag....Doc
too many gizmos on modern bikes. and yet they left the tank cross over line on FLH's and no way to drain the tank that has FI, That us unless you don't mid making a big mess with gasoline spilling down your hands , arms and onto the nice carpet on in your work shop. Dumb ass engineers should have put a drain valve in those bikes, but a few dollars would have had to be invested and they don't give a shit about the owners health and safety. Yes I read and followed the FSM and to say the least, that procedure sucks.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your strong opinion....Doc
As always good info Doc, however I'm old school,I've been riding bikes since 1969 and only forgot one time to turn off the gas. There's no need to over think things for BOZOs who can't remember to shut off the gas. There's no need to to baby people. Ride a bicycle, Damn!!!
Mr Ray I believe it is yours and mine to share what we know. So many young ones have the fever for old school with no one to tell them It Is not like your Lexus......Doc
Most I deal with dont know how to operate a fuel shut off. Good luck teaching common sense.
It is up to you and I to teach those so young that have so much desire to ride....Doc
Hi, Doc what will I do with vaccume hose when change to non vaccume "Pingle" ? Thanks for outstanding videos!!
There are vacuum caps sold at auto parts stores. The cheap way is cover a screw with silicone and put it in the end of the hose….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson So no need to use the vaccume, great!! Thanks for all your fast respons. I recommend your Channel to all Harley riders in Sweden. Thank and have a great day. Sincerly Janne from Sweden