New 1934 Harley Davidson VD owner

[Jim]

Good call, and remember that the VL side-vented gas caps don't take the leather washers like the earlier top vented ones.

Here are my reproduction VL Caps with the holes that I drilled in them. These are the ones I use on my 1936 VLH. I had original caps which I copied.


DSCN3518 Cap Vent size.jpg DSCN3520.JPG

[Peter Cooke]

Years ago, I had that non-vented gas cap issue as well, Peter. It will stop you dead after a few miles but easily restart in a few minutes. Aggravating, and embarrassing.

And always when there's a crowd around!

[34VDharley]

Here are my reproduction VL Caps with the holes that I drilled in them. These are the ones I use on my 1936 VLH. I had original caps which I copied.


DSCN3518 Cap Vent size.jpg DSCN3520.JPG

Jim those look similar to the caps I have but different? I have a vent hole in the bottom and top of my gas cap as well. I'd like to purchase these if they work better than what I have. That's the only thing I can figure that was causing my issue.

On another note, I noticed when I drained my oil it had a noticeable sheen to it. No big flakes or anything but a metallic sheen. I assume this is because the engine was just rebuilt this year and hasn't been broken in, or do I have other issues to worry about?

[Jim]

Jim those look similar to the caps I have but different? I have a vent hole in the bottom and top of my gas cap as well. I'd like to purchase these if they work better than what I have. That's the only thing I can figure that was causing my issue.

On another note, I noticed when I drained my oil it had a noticeable sheen to it. No big flakes or anything but a metallic sheen. I assume this is because the engine was just rebuilt this year and hasn't been broken in, or do I have other issues to worry about?

Those caps in the other photos are the "larger" gas caps off of my 1936 (I think also were for 1935). You have the smaller ones for the earlier VLs. I hadn't noticed that before. But, here is a picture of the one off my 1930 VL. Same type of holes. To be honest, I don't recall if I drilled these or bought them this way. Too long ago now.

As for the oil? You'll need an opinion from someone that really would know. I don't know.

20250624_105612.jpg