The bike hasn't been ridden much the past 6 months - I've been out of town for work. When I fired her up for the 1st time this year, I got a pronounced fuel leak from the carb assembly - near as I could tell, from the fuel connection to the carbs. Research here led me to suspect the O-rings on the fuel tee's.

I pulled the carb rack, replaced the O-rings, and reassembled. With the fuel turned on, no apparent leak. She fired up and ran OK - carbs need to be synched after my efforts - but I quickly noticed fuel leaking again. Perhaps not as bad, but from the same area. I pulled the carbs off again and found nothing obvious wrong. They have been sitting with a temporary fuel tank about 2 feet above them, with no leaks. I'm ready to put them back on the bike, but before I go through that exercise again, thought I'd seek the WOTL as to anything else it could be/I should check before I put them back on.

 

Have you checked the floats aren't sticking?

 

I have pulled the bowls and the floats move freely. I have had the carb rack under about 2 feet of fuel pressure for several hours and they show no signs of leaking at present.

Anyone know how much pressure the fuel pump puts on the system?

 

Wouldn't have thought it was very much, most guys convert them to a gravity feed with no ill effects. Can't say for sure though.

 

Agree with Hawkwind, in running mode the fuel pump only clicks every couple of seconds, so it can't be providing that much pressure.

My '87 is gravity fed, I think the head from fuel outlet to carbs is really only one or two cm, so your temp tank with two feet of head should be supplying much more pressure.

I caution this observation though, with the fact that I am not a plumber; so maybe my basic concept of head and pressure is completely wrong?

 

Thanks for the input. The carbs are still dry this morning, after spending all night under "pressure." I'll put them back on and see what happens.

 

Might have been a sticking float valve, try a little carb cleaner in the tank too as it
may help prevent it and will clean some gunk from the carbs as they have sat unused
for so long. I always try and start the bike at least once a month and it's always a
good idea to store it level on the center stand keeping the carbs/floats level.

 

Bike was stored on centerstand, with Ethanol Stabil & Seafoam in full tank, connected to Battery Tender.

She's back together and just fired up - no sign of a leak. Only think I can figure is maybe I started with a stuck float that freed when I opened the bowls. then, perhaps something wasn't quite seated correctly when I changed the O-rings. Whatever it was, the fuel leak appears gone.

Some clean-up, sync carbs, put the plastic back on, and i should be in business.

Again, thanks for the input/suggestions.