I've been having carb issues for over a year. I had left the bike for two long without running it, and ever since then, have had overflow problems. I've had a couple mechanics work on it - to no avail. The latest changed the needle and seat in the carbs. When I get the bike back it will run fine for about 60 miles, and then start to flood one of the cylinders. If I open it up, it will clear up while accelerating, and then go back to 3 cylinders. Would changing all the floats help? Noone seems to be able to figure out this quirk. New carbs are ridiculously expensive - any suggestions on things to try?? Thanks in advance - Alex
Don't replace the floats unless they have fluid in them, or you put them in a liquid and won't float. Float levels have to be set correctly. Was one needle/seat replaced or all four? Usually when I've come across a situation like this (chronic leaking) and no apparent problem with the float valve system. I've found the problem to be contamination of the fuel with particulate matter, IE fuel line coming apart on the inside, crap suspended in fuel and getting stuck between needle tip and seat. You need to have the carbs removed with a minimum of upset (keep 'em level as possible), remove the float bowls and inspect carefully (I'll use a magnifying glass sometimes) for any 'floaters' in the bottem of the bowls, or stuck on a needle tip or in the seat. You could also take a fuel sample from the supply line to the carbs in a clear container and let it sit, then look for crap settling on the bottem.
As DIZZY is suggesting, your fuel tank may be shedding rust particles into the fuel.......... It's very good maintenance practice to remove the fuel tank periodically--once a year is fine-- and slosh some fuel around and drain 2 or 3 times cuz there's ALWAYS some gunk and debris in the bottom of the tank which gets into system whenever you switch to RESERVE.
