1965 FLH Fuel Rod Leaking

[craig (DE)]

Last weekend I filled my tanks with gas via carboy and went about my business of cutting grass and other chores. The next morning I go out into the garage and get a strong smell of gas. I'm looking all around until finally noticing under my '65 is a large puddle of gas. A quick look and I see gas dripping from the carb. My fuel shutoff rod was closed but apparently it is not holding back the fuel. So I take it I have to remove the rod and see what is going on. My concern is will I need the alignment tool to put it back in the tank?

[jwl]

I doubt that you need an alignment tool. call Carl's Cycle Supply and they will fix you up with a gas valve that will seal.

[craig (DE)]

Thanks! I just did a search about the issue and everyone mentions the rods from Carl's.

[T. Cotten]

It takes five minutes, Craig...

To chuck up the rod in a lathe, set the toolpost to 45º, and then cut the rod tip "clean".

This cures most of them without throwing money at it.

But its too simple for most Folks.

....Cotten
PS: Beware the '65 Turnpike tanks are the most prone to alignment problems.
I have straightened several without the silly Factory tool.

[pan620]

I have done it the way Cotton explained after talking to him about the same problem, has worked more than once! If you have a re-pop rod or seat you may never get it to shut off. Good luck!

[craig (DE)]

Hey Cotton,

I do have access to a very good machinist at my work. I will take it off and have him work the rod.

What are the Turnpike tanks? Would they be larger than 5 gallons? My tanks look original but I can not be certain.

Thanks!

[T. Cotten]

Craig!

I thought "Turnpike" was their name for the new 5 gallon tanks. The ads and articles of the time were pretty weird.

The extended metal flexed especially if the seat was over-tightened to seal the pesky brass seal washers.

So it was a one-year-only tank.

.....Cotten
PS: The seal washers are an application where PEEK makes sense.

[vph-d]

IIRC, the 65 shut off rod is a one year only part.
VPH-D

[T. Cotten]

IIRC, the 65 shut off rod is a one year only part.
VPH-D

For the 5 gallon tanks it is, VPH-D!

But not all '65s had fat tanks...

...Cotten

[65flh]

I lapped mine about 9 months ago and it hasn't leaked since but I do plan on getting the peek tipped rod eventually

[craig (DE)]

I will definitely do the lapping first with new crush washers.

[K. Felt]

A question about lapping the tip and seat. After removing the rod and seat, seams like you would have to un solder the threaded part from the rod? Otherwise how would you be able to work the parts back and forth together? Been meaning to do this for way too long on '65.

[T. Cotten]

A question about lapping the tip and seat. After removing the rod and seat, seams like you would have to un solder the threaded part from the rod? Otherwise how would you be able to work the parts back and forth together? Been meaning to do this for way too long on '65.

Yes, K!

It proved a waste of time for me.

Once I chucked up and cut a rod tip, it was obvious that the wear was greater than lapping would remedy.

....Cotten
PS: If anybody wants PEEK scraps, I have pounds of it at $.25 a gram.

[vph-d]

Cotton,
That's true about the shut off rod. I forgot about the 10 or so hand shift models they made with 3.5 tanks...
VPH-D

[T. Cotten]

Cotton,
That's true about the shut off rod. I forgot about the 10 or so hand shift models they made with 3.5 tanks...
VPH-D

Multiply that by 100 municipal police departments, at very least, VHP!

My first American ride was a tank-shift '65 from the Kansas City PD, or so its legend goes.

I can't think of any other way it could have been so mistreated by '75.

....Cotten