Motorcycle Repair: petcock leaks, honda vtx 1300, vacuum petcock

Question
i have a 2006 honda vtx 1300 retro,that has a leak coming
out of the petcock body upon further inspection i noticed a
small pin hole on the bottom of the petcock body. fuel
leaks out of is this hole is there for reason for this hole
being there took the piece apart and everything else looked
fine.

Answer
Joseph,  looking at the illustratons on Bikebandit.com

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/honda-motorcycle-vtx1300r-2006/o/m2...

I see that you are referring to the vacuum petcock diaphragm. The small vent hold allows the diaphragm to move easily back and forth in the housing. If you are having a fuel leak there, it is either from the O-ring or damage to the diaphragm.

They used to put two little nipples on the back side of the housing and sometimes people would put the vacuum line on the wrong one. If you just have the one fitting nipple for the vacuum line, then you can't mix it up, I guess.

Unless the parts have a casting flaw or are warped, then perhaps the new gasoline fuels are dissolving the rubber parts. Inspect them for any damage from chemical erosion or being installed incorrectly and replace if necessary. Definite fire hazard there...

Bill Silver