Topic: ‘77 CB550F carb still overflowing

[Whammo]

Advice needed,
Recently electrostatic cleaning, rebuilt, and replaced everything but the floats. Developed an intermittent leaking issue after a while, so I pulled them and replaced the floats and set the height. Granted, they were aftermarket, but I still set them to 22mm. Installed and started today, one of the carbs leaks like a sieve.
Thoughts? Rubber-tipped needle valves? Bench float setting?
I’m at a loss and just want to ride.
Thanks.

[kerryb]

If they weren't oe honda (keihin) float needles and seats, then that's the likely culprit.

[jonda500]

something foreign from the tank or fuel line has likely lodged in that carb's needle and seat. Try turning the fuel off and draining the bowl - then hopefully when you turn the fuel back on it will flush it out - if it still leaks, repeat a couple of times
it's easier than taking the bowl off to see what's going on (you'll need a very stubby screwdriver to fit under the bowl - I cut my stubby driver handle in half!)
John

[Bankerdanny]

The carbs on my '75 550F gave me fits until I did 2 things: replaced the generic aftermarket needles and seats with OEM Honda and cleaning up the tang on the floats themselves to remove the dent that had be worn into the brass over time by the top of the needles. This caused some binding that kept the float from rising enough to close the fuel input.