86 vfr700

Ok, so I just got a 1986 vfr700 and I have a couple questions.
This is my first bike so these questions might sound kinda dumb.
1) The person I got it from said gas is leaking from the bottom of the carbs. So I took the carbs off and took them apart, checked the floats and seals cleaned all of the carbs and didnt notice anything besides one of the boots is torn. So my first question is could the boot being torn be where its leaking gas from?
2) Im not sure what they are exactly, but one of the plastic tubes that go from carb to carb is cracked pretty bad. Are these for fuel or air?
3) Last question is if its neither of these leaking where should I start looking for possible issues?
Any help is appreciated!
thanks

 

It is common for the carbs to leak if it has been sitting for an extended period of time and often the seals will seal up again once gas is run through them but it sounds like your way passed that. The cross over tubes a very fragile and if you take the manifold off breaking them is almost assured. You will need to source new ones and resealing the bowls and replacing the boots while your at it. With that and a carb sync you should be in good shape again. Aluminum cross over tubes can be purchased and I would use those if possible. I will look for a link to where those can be found.

 

No, the torn boot is not responsible for dripping fuel. As TC sayeth, probably bowl gaskets that shrank during storage......or leaky float needle/s. Remove airbox top and filter and look down the carb throats (engine running) looking for fuel bubbling up from the main jet outlets under the slide needles or from float bowl vent tubes.

 

Thank you guys!
If you do find a link for the crossover tubes please post.

 

Here you go:
http://www.v4market.com/Fuel-Tubes--4-tube-set-for-86-87-VFR700F_p_179.html

2 tubes are for fuel and the other 2 are for venting the float bowl area.

I bought all new carb boots from the dealer for about $14 each or so. Old boots tend to leak and be stiff which makes installing the carbs really hard.