Yeah I am realizing that more and more. Am I doing the bike a dis-service in any way by riding it through the winter (besides exposure to road salts)? I want to have this bike long term and don't want to jeopardize it needlessly.

 

Not at all. The bike is made to be ridden in any weather.
In the cold winter months you just have to give it a few minutes to warm up before you take off and put the throttle to it.

If you start it up and take off without the proper warm up, then you will do it a dis-service, so give it a few minutes in the winter before you ride it off.
pg

 

bad scene if the cyl gets gasoline in it---that's why ya turn the petcock off

 

Just opened the petcock today to see what would happen, after about a full minute it started to pee out of the overflow. Time to open the float bowl!

 

same prob you had before lol its time to look into whats getin into the carb!!

 

Yes, you have a problem with the needle failing to seat.
DO NOT try to adjust the float setting. This is set at the factory and is a real bear to reset yourself.

You may need a new needle and seat. Buy them as a set if you are going to replace them.
pg

 

Tell me about it, it was treated with redkote at a local radiator shop. Hopefully I don't find chunks of red urethane in the carb...

 

did you end up running a inline filter? i have allways ran a good inline, its a clear glass one from summit i change the filter element every couple years, i have tried alot of tank sealers, in everything from bikes to tow motors, the stuff always fails at some time, i just think its better to replace the tank instead of wasting time.

 

I had my tank red coated a few years ago. Never had any problems.

If it were me I would pull the carb off and clean it really good, pull the petcock and clean it and the filter screen, then install a good inline fuel filter.

When's the last time you adjusted the pushrods?

 

the fuel leak is a carb problem, he has been fighting this for awhile