Well I found out where/why my petcock is leaking. It's coming out of the "weep hole" at the bottom when starting/running the engine. From what I've read this is a bad diaphragm, makes sense. I see most replace the vacuum style w/ a mechanical one, sound like a good idea?
I've also read about them leaking enough fuel to flood the carb and actually drain into the crankcase. I "sniff-checked" my oil, and it kinda sorta smells a little gassy. The crankcase seems slightly overfilled also (although I've only checked it cold, don't want to run it like this). I guess it would be a good idea to just go ahead and change the oil? Sucks 'cause PO just had the oil changed, looks brand new.
If gas has leaked past the carb and into the crankcase does that mean gaskets/o-rings have deteriorated, and a rebuild is in order? The bike sat for extended periods unused. TIA for helping a newb out...

 

Whoa man slow down a little. No need for a rebuild at this time.
To fix this problem get a pingle petcock mechanical (non-vacuum) and just remember to cut your gas off every time you stop the engine.

You also have to make sure your VOES is only connected to your intake.
In other words you have to eliminate the vacuum hose from the VOES to the petcock.

 

Roger that. I'm gonna change the oil anyway for peace of mind, and to keep better track of intervals. Thanks. Pingels are crazy expensive, nothing else suitable, or is it worth the cost?

 

In my opinion it is worth twice as much!!!!

You can get other petcocks including going back to Harley and getting a stock one.
None are anywhere near as good.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Check Ebay for the Pingel. They can be had there from time to time, cheaper than mail order. Took me about a month until one poped up for a reasonable price.

 

Pingels are well worth the money and when they need rebuild it is only 15 bucks. And the only extra you pay is the cost to ship it to them.

 

I just got a replacement one from J&P for like $25.

It's a manual one and works just fine.

 

Do cheaper pet ***** work? YES

Is pingle better? YES

 

If the petcock is working OK otherwise, and being a cheapskate, you can take it apart and put the spring on the other side of the diaphram and plug the holes in the vacuum side. You will then have a standard working petcock that you will have to shut off and turn on manually like they all use to be. I did mine although it was not leaking just because I was use to manual and it is just another place for something to go wrong.

 

If the stock one worked and you weren't starving for fuel, the Pingel or any other petcock is not 'better'. Just different (and more expensive) I just tossed a 2 month old Spyke in the trash and put a stock unit back on my bike. The screen fell off the Spyke and it would not shut off completely. Pingles look good and flow a lot of fuel. A lot more than most modified H D need.