Topic: does this sound like a carb problem

[jamesb]

it's a 1974 cb550 it hasn't been driven much in the last 2 1/2 years  none at all last year. the carbs would leak out of the over flow tubes and then sunday it wouldn't run at all so i took the carbs off cleaned them out stopped the leaking problem it ran a lot better put my electronic ignition in also but when i shift gears and gradually give it gas it spits and sputters but if i just gun it it does well until i hut higher rpm's then it missees again do i need to synch my carbs in or could they need a real good cleaning i did not mess with my floats at all.

[lucky]

It sat for 2-1/2 years problem.

It needs new float needles.
When they sit the rubber tips get out of round and gummed up.
You cannot just clean them with steel wool and put them back in.
Thats why the floats are not shutting off.
It needs to have the idle jets removed and cleaned until you can see through them.
Also replace the fuel filter, and drain the gas tank. It collects moisture.

Syncing carbs is the VERY LAST THING in tuning up the bike.
carbs are last and syncing is very last.