I've done a lot of reading this afternoon. I'm almost sure you're right about the leak. I have been "assuming" that it's a new piece of hose so MUST be good ... but it's a cheap fix to try. I also read another suggestion to give the gasket locations and carb mountings a shot with carb cleaner and see if it sucks it in and revs up. Don't know why I didn't think of that as it's an old hot rod trick (or old junkers like I drove in high school!). I'm going to step back and do a step by step inspection on this thing. Check the timing, replace the points if they're toast, and a new condenser, check for any missing or leaking gaskets, another fuel line, etc.
When it was idling, it was smooth as glass but I think we aggravated the old girl by disassembling everything, no doubt giving it more air leaks and displacing protective crud. Thinking back on the breakdowns, I have a couple things I need to revisit. I just have to get the starter generator off again so I can check a couple things. I think there may be an entire gasket missing at the reed plate! Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't remember seeing it while my husband had it apart. He's too frustrated to work on it anymore so now it's my turn. He'll hate life if I get it running right! (He's an auto/truck technician).
I'll work it one end to the other myself so I can check things off as I inspect them, and see what's what.
Thanks so much for your help! I'll let you know what I learn. May be a couple weeks as it's Biketoberfest here and I gotta have some quality time with my TWO wheel Harley so she doesn't think I'm cheating on her!!
Back to you with updates later ...............
