Unless you R&R'd the petcock over time the debris builds up and scratches material causing it to drip.

 

i took the petcock apart on my 85, cleaned it up replaced what needed to be replace and it worked like new.

 

What needed to be replaced?

 

If you do replace it don't buy an el cheapo unit, they are pot metal, poorly made and leak through most the time. Stick to the name brands mentioned already.

 

Get a Pingle

 

 

take it off the bike and take it apart. it's very easy. to tell you the truth i don't remember what i replaced in it. it's been 10-15 years since it was done. i know the rubber gasket between the tank and petcock was replaced. the screen inside the tank was clean so i reused it. take the 2 screws out by the lever, pull the lever out and remove the sediment bowl too and go from there.

 

Ive used pingles for years, I decided to try the Golan.. a little bit less, but the quality is equal in my opinion, and I really like the detent* the Golan has you know when it is in the position desired. Ive used them now on two other builds plus both my personal bikes.. Im sold.

 

I never liked the vacuum operation on my 99 FXSTC, So I took it apart and put the spring on the other side of the diaphragm to make it inoperative with vacuum. I plugged the vacuum hose and have used it for years now with no leaks and manual operation. Even when It was vacuum I always shut it off anyway as I never trusted it.