Leaky Carburetors

I have a bone stock,  restored 1976 Z900 A4. The carburetors were rebuilt completely with factory parts and the the bike runs perfectly.
Problem is when I store the bike. If I do not drain the carbs, or turn the fuel pepcock off a block before home and runs the carbs empty. They leak when 
the bike is stored.

The leak comes from the bowl gaskets. I figured maybe the float setting was too high, but even after adjusting all the floats dynamically with a clear hose like
the service manual states, they still leak. I tried different bowl gaskets and even sealed them with grease, but they still leak.

It does not make a big mess, as once enough fuel leaks out it stops, but its messy and does not seem right.

Is this normal?

Dan

If the float valves are not leaking and the fuel is simply overflowing out of the carb mouths It's possible that the bowl flanges are warped due to overtighening in the past and only nipping up on the corners.
Lapping on a flat plate ( with a hole in for the brass overflow pipe to clear) may fix the issue.
Failing that you can buy Viton bowl  gaskets that are guaranteed to work.


 

You could try putting a 2x4 wood block under the side stand. I have always made it a habit to turn the Petcock off early and run the fuel level down when I’m a block or so away from home.

I had the same problem with my kz1000.  Fuel would weep from the #1 carb at the top of the bowl and drip on the starter and chain cover.  After a while the carb and covers would be stained with brown varnish.  No fuel came out of the overflow, so I don't think it was a float valve issue.  Early on I replaced the bowl gaskets but that didn't fix it.

During a recent refresh I rebuilt the carbs completely, so I can't really say that any one thing fixed this issue for me, but with this problem in mind a bought the extra thick gaskets from Z1 Enterprises.  So far no leaking bowls, and no fuel stains.

www.z1enterprises.com/gasket-float-bowl-...slide-1976-1978.html

 

Cracked float bowl overflow tube?