leaky carb

[(RIP) pastyman]

Well, got bertha up and running at the weekend, still a bit of running in to do but we did have one hitch. suddenly started running rough, looked down to see petrol peeing over my left boot,(riding slowly in town at this point) did the usual and released the float briefly and carried on. after about the sixth time I was a bit peed off but then out on the open road, no probs. had a cracking ride down to Lands end then back to St Ives along the coast road, heaven.... got home and parked outside the garage when I saw petrol dripping out again.
I took the carb off to clean it and see if I could identify the cause , clearly the float needle not seating.. now then , my question, at the end of the float needle there was what looks like a very small wire thing, bit like a min iture paper clip. it was just attached to the end of the float needle sort of floating around.. what is it and what does it do. does it attach to anything else????
does anyone out there know?

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Have a look here good Sir
http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling/r100gs/carb_rebuild/index.html

the clip secures needle to floats. make sure no crap is up fuel hole and that the needle end is sealing I use the later softer ended needle


Item 9 on this pic is the clip

 

[Rob Farmer]

I spent a fortune trying to cure this problem on three airheads (at the same time) the only thing that cured it was Motorworks in-line fuel filters. All three bikes stopped leaking as soon as the filters were fitted and haven't had a problem since.

I tried flushing the tanks out, new float needles (not cheap), several other filters and full carb strip downs. I reckon it's fine grit in the fuel. It got to be such a problem on mine I stopped riding the airheads for a while.

My Guzzi even did it the other day

Thank god I've got an 1150 as well

 

[Garry H]

Robs hit the nail on the head
Shit under the float needles is a problem
and the only cure seems to be fitting inline filters
I do this mod on all my airheads

 

[Yoda]

How old are the floats?

I too suffered the WLFS (Wet Left Foot Syndrome). In-line filters, new float needles etc didn't effect a long-term cure.

Fitted new floats et Voila!, narry a drop escaped since.

Two possible thoughts on old floats:-

1) They get heavier?
2) They distort marginally and catch on the sides of the float bowl?