My bike was parked in my garage on trickle charger 12 months ago in brilliant running order.

Yesterday I started it up but it was leaking fuel out of what looks like a breather pipe???

Here is a photo showing the leaking tube and where it connects to.



I can keep the bike running using the throttle to keep the bike at 2.5k revs or higher, otherwise it shuts off.

The leak stops if I switch the fuel tap to OFF and the bike still runs. The leak starts again if I switch it to reserve or normal.

While it is leaking if I clamp the hose shut the bike shuts off.

I have drained the fuel tank several times but this has not solved the issue.

It would be great if someone could help identify the problem.

 

Sounds like you have a stuck float or a needle not seating properly. Have you taken the carbs apart yet?

Looks like you have a coolant leak at that lower hose too.

 

Thank you 74Demon.

If it is a Stuck float, is their any way of confirming that is the issue? I really do not want to take the carbs apart unless I am certain.

I did think if it was a stuck float then by draining the tank(via the leaking tube) it would come unstuck.

 

+1 to what Demon says on both the stuck float and coolant leak. The stuck float should be fairly easy to fix, but if the bike sat for 12 months with fuel in the carbs, they will need to be gone through more than likely. To me, it's just better to clean them thoroughly and be done with it than chasing issues for weeks.

 

Cleaning the carbs is not really that big of a deal. I remember dreading to do it the first time as well but after doing it a few times it`s like riding a bicycle. There`s not that many things that you even can fudge up while doing it. But as others already said, sitting for 12 months it is more than likely your carbs do need a cleaning. I`m betting the stuck float is at carb #1 if it has sat against the sidestand.

 

You have all made a good case for cleaning the carbs. I will do it. Thanks for the help.