Carbs leaking after period of non-use

[Chuey]

I got my Cafe Racer lights all sorted out. Tomorrow, I have a play date of twisty riding and hope to take the Cafe. Started it up after about a year of sitting. Both carbs are leaking quite a bit of gasoline as it runs. I took off the float bowls and wiggled the floats and saw them push up on the needles which I thought is the usual problem, the needles getting stuck. Anyway, it is still leaking.

What should I try next? They both worked nicely before I let it sit.

Chuey

[dwerbil]

I guess you could pop the bowls off again, pull out the float pin and let the needle drop out. Put a catch bowl underneath the carbs and open the petcocks for a couple of seconds. I dunno....with the gas off/needles out, maybe use a q-tip carefully inside the needle hole. Then run the gas a second or two later. Check the needles for gunk on them.
Reinstall and try again.
Worse case, you'll need to change out the needle and needle seat. Good thing to do every unteen 10x of miles.

[Major Softie]

Yeah, it only takes a tiny bit of crap in there to make that valve leak. Crumbling bits of fuel line can do it. So can little bits of tank liner or rust.

[Chuey]

Thanks. It's good to know that I at least had the right idea. I'll get back to it in a few minutes.

Chuey

[Chuey]

Thanks. That seems to have woiked.

Chuey

[Deleted User 287]

Good - either that or the rubber tips on the needles got hard on you, or there is a crack in the fuel line that you can't see and it is running down the side of the carb and making it look like the float bowl is overflowing. But those are both age-related.

[dwerbil]

Thanks. That seems to have woiked.

Chuey

Good deal, Chuey!

[Garnet]

Just your bike sayin, "Get this crap gas outta my tank and git me down to the station for some fresh 94 octane."

[Chuey]

Good - either that or the rubber tips on the needles got hard on you, or there is a crack in the fuel line that you can't see and it is running down the side of the carb and making it look like the float bowl is overflowing. But those are both age-related.

Heh, heh, you said "hard-on".

Chuey

[Chuey]

Our top octane rating is 91. The bike's name if Buster. He's full of 91 now. Rode it over to the shop to do some paperwork today and it worked fine. I'm chomping at the bit to get it out into the mountains. That bike loves to turn. Also, it is my most steady bike with hands off. I'll try to get a picture or two tomorrow.

Chuey