Topic: Carbs leaking gas

[kck3]

(1977 cb550k)  Have had the bike since March and have put around 800 miles on her.   Last rode the bike on Saturday then went for a ride today for about a block.  Noticed a puddle under her and instantly knew what was going on-gas out the overflows.  I rode back home, drained each bowl, cleaned each drain screw with carb cleaner and reinstalled.  Turned gas back on and went up and down the street and no gas is coming out now.  Do you think this is a temp fix?  Or could draining the bowls dislodge what ever was interfering with the floats?  This is the first time I have had an issue with the carbs/floats in those 800 miles.

[cameron]

Probably fine.

Do you usually leave your petcock ON of OFF when you are parked overnight?

[cookindaddy]

I'd wait and watch to see what happens. Perhaps the work you did cleared the problem. The drain screw is not likely to be the problem, but rather dirt or corruption in the float needle valve above it.

[kck3]

I just got back from a run to the gas station to top off the tank-was already low and with all the leaking wanted a full tank.  On the ride home it seemed as if there was better throttle respose than what I remember-seemed to be accelerating better than before.  Could this be possible? 

Whenever I stop for over 10 mins I always turn the petcock to the off position.

[cameron]

Im with cookindaddy. watch and see.

It is common for a float to just kind of stick on a bit of grime or rust or something.. and then the bit gets dislodged and you are good.
If it happens again, pop the bowls off and take a look.

And I ALWAYS think mine is running better. Whenever I do ANYTHING. New blinkers.. whatever.

[Bob Wessner]

And I ALWAYS think mine is running better. Whenever I do ANYTHING. New blinkers.. whatever.

I've noticed a good cleaning and polishing accomplishes the same thing.