Float bowl 1 is leaking, but 2 3 and 4 are fine???

Just rebuilt my carbs and the bike starts for first time in 15 years but it has a fairly constant drip out of the float bowl 1 overflow tube. Could it be the screw o ring is bad or should i take off the float bowl, and adjust the float clip, maybe its not pressing that little bullet thingy to shut off the gas coming in. Sorry, still learning bike terms. What do you think could be the reason???

Yes you could expand the float tine (or however u spell it lol). If still not seating then would maybe replace that needle set. Be very careful, a little goes a long way and keep as straight as possible unless u have an actual tool for that adjustment. One thing u could try is to take ur bowl off and use deep creep sea foam spray and clean the seat and needle real good in case it just has junk on it.

Possible issues:
Float valve;
Float function;
Cracked overflow tube.

Would not yet attempt any adjustment to float function or its interplay with the float needle. These components usually don't fall out of adjustment on their own, and are likely okay, and don't need to be messed with until first attempting less drastic measures.

A common problen is grit or crud interferring with the interface between the float needle tip and seat orifice.

Without any dis-assembly, could try Kroil fuel additive to hopefully clean the float valve while riding and restore it to proper function.

Also assure that an after-market inline fuel filter is installed.

If the Kroil doesn't resolve the overflow issue, will probably require removal of carbs to access the float valve for cleaning the float needle tip and especially cleaning the seat orifice.

Sometimes the float needle tip is worn or damaged, but often the problem is caused simply by dirt, grit or crud at the interface between float needle and seat orifice.

Be very careful not to bend the float. And note its orientation before removal so it won't be replaced upside down.

Also, removing stuck float pins risks breaking off a float tower. May require PBBlaster, much patience, and delicate persuasion.

Good Fortune!

you have a picture of the seat that you are talking about. No idea what that is.

RobQ wrote:

Just rebuilt my carbs and the bike starts for first time in 15 years but it has a fairly constant drip out of the float bowl 1 overflow tube. Could it be the screw o ring is bad or should i take off the float bowl, and adjust the float clip, maybe its not pressing that little bullet thingy to shut off the gas coming in. Sorry, still learning bike terms. What do you think could be the reason???

The little "bullet thingy" is the needle part of the float valve assembly. As the float rises with the fuel in the carb bowl the float "clip" lifts the needle into the float valve orifice (it's a brass ring that the needle seats into). When the needle is seated in the orifice it blocks fuel from flowing into the carb bowl. Often what happens is a tiny bit of dirt or other crud lodges between the needle and orifice preventing the needle from seating tightly and allowing fuel to continue to flow (sometimes just a little) into the carb bowl. Usually, simple removing the needle and cleaning the pointy end of it plus the opening in the orifice will stop the leak. A Q-tip and a little carb cleaner works great on the orifice. Don't get carried away and clean with anything abrasive or you may re-shape the needle or orifice so they no longer mate properly. You don't need to remove the carbs to do the this cleaning. With a stubby screw driver you can remove the float bowl with the carbs on the bike (especially easy for carb #1). A mirror is helpful the see the oricice. You don't need to remove it to clean the mating surface. Here's the tools I use:

RobQ wrote:

you have a picture of the seat that you are talking about. No idea what that is.

[Click on image to enlarge view.]



Edit: At Z1E, the assembly is called Float Needle Valve Assembly

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Good Fortune!