Hello again,I have a problem with my road star.When engine is ticking over at idle,fuel dribbles from a pipe that exits on top left hand side of carb(the pipe goes to top left side of air cleaner)
Has anyone here have any idea what is causing this happen?
Thankyou,Ian

Most likely the float is sticking, rap the float bowl a few times with something hard like a screwdriver handle and see what happens.....

Thanks,I will try that.I did suspect it was the float.I tried to clear it with a few high speed runs but that didn't work

I have tried tapping the float bowl and the problem still persists,I've given it a few good whacks too.I can hear the float moving up and down as I hit the bowl(at least I think I can hear it)so maybe it is not that causing the fuel to leak out of the pipe.I'm assuming that it's a breather pipe because if I hold my finger on the end of it the engine dies.
Any other ideas as to what is causing this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,Ian

I don't know what your hearing, but its not the float moving up and down. It's called a float for a reason, and it does a good job of it. If fuel is leaking out of that hose, then the float can't float any higher, and it certainly isn't going to sink.
The float valve(needle and seat)is either allowing fuel to leak past the seat, or, the oring that seals the seat half of the float valve in its little hole. If you can't get it to break free, then its time to pull the carb and either free up the float valve or replace it. If it's 10 years old or older just replace it.
That particular hose is the bowl vent line. The bowl is over flowing and then some, by the time fuel exits that little hose.

I did drain the fuel from the bowl so as I tapped the carb I assumed the noise I heard was the float.The bike was built in 2005 and has only done 5,000 miles to date.I did think that maybe because it's obviously been standing for some time that stale fuel had gummed up in the system and perhaps that was causing the needle not to seat properly. Thanks again,Ian

Ian Pemberton wrote:
I did drain the fuel from the bowl so as I tapped the carb I assumed the noise I heard was the float.The bike was built in 2005 and has only done 5,000 miles to date.I did think that maybe because it's obviously been standing for some time that stale fuel had gummed up in the system and perhaps that was causing the needle not to seat properly. Thanks again,Ian

Run some sort of fuel system cleaner thru it, it might help.

davej wrote:
Ian Pemberton wrote:
I did drain the fuel from the bowl so as I tapped the carb I assumed the noise I heard was the float.The bike was built in 2005 and has only done 5,000 miles to date.I did think that maybe because it's obviously been standing for some time that stale fuel had gummed up in the system and perhaps that was causing the needle not to seat properly. Thanks again,Ian

Run some sort of fuel system cleaner thru it, it might help.


What Dave said^^^^^^

I didn't realize you had drained the bowl. If the cleaner doesn't do it, just swap out the needle and seat for the OEM version, if the fuel pump is still on the bike. The oring failing is pretty typical. Once it starts letting fuel past, it only gets worse.

Hello again,I took the bowl off the carb and there was some crap in there,I cleaned it all out then put the carb back on bike but the problem persists.I will replace the needle and seat as you have recommennd.Does this come as a kit and does it include the Oring?
The bike is a 2005 1700 with fuel pump still fitted.Can you give me a part number or discription of what I need to order.Also,the bike is fitted with a replacement K&N high flow air air filter,and I have removed the baffles from the stock mufflers.I'm thinking that I may as well replace the main jet as I'm at it.What size jet would suit the set up with the filter and de-baffled pipes?Is there a part number for this too?I should add that I don't want to go for the expense of dyno-jetting.
Thankyou for your help.It's been a number of years since I stripped a carb and your advice is very much appreciated.
Ian

Ian Pemberton wrote:
Hello again,I took the bowl off the carb and there was some crap in there,I cleaned it all out then put the carb back on bike but the problem persists.I will replace the needle and seat as you have recommennd.Does this come as a kit and does it include the Oring?
The bike is a 2005 1700 with fuel pump still fitted.Can you give me a part number or discription of what I need to order.Also,the bike is fitted with a replacement K&N high flow air air filter,and I have removed the baffles from the stock mufflers.I'm thinking that I may as well replace the main jet as I'm at it.What size jet would suit the set up with the filter and de-baffled pipes?Is there a part number for this too?I should add that I don't want to go for the expense of dyno-jetting.
Thankyou for your help.It's been a number of years since I stripped a carb and your advice is very much appreciated.
Ian

Start with this Baron's kit and you may need to buy a larger pilot jet from Yamaha either a 37.5 or 40. There are carb guys on here that know it inside out. I am not one of them, I just followed their advice and worked great for me.

https://baronscustom.com/catalog/display/313/index.html