Basket Case XII

[Ajame01r]

So, I recently bought a 96 XII that had been disassembled for about a year to replace carbs. I've since cleaned and reinstalled the "new" carbs and put a considerable amount of the bike together. It ran fine after the initial assembly, but I started it again the next day (cause I enjoyed hearing it after all the work to put it together) and it leaked from the carbs. I believe it to be leaking from the bowl drains, but I cleaned and replaced those O-Rings before re-installing the carbs. I used some generic O-Rings from Orielys. Its fallen to the way side until recently, my father wants to buy the bike from me once it's done, and he is really hounding me. Any advice y'all have for me is appreciated. Thanks!!!

[triton28]

If it is leaking from the drain tubes and NOT around the drain screws, then it sounds as though one of 5 things is occurring: #1, some junk/rust/crud from the tank is getting onto and stopping the float needle from seating, check filter and see #4; #2,the floats are not set at the appropriate height, 17mm is the Service Manual setting; #3, a float has fuel inside it, not a likely occurrence; #4, the float needle seat needs polishing with a q-tip and a fine grit metal polish; or 5, as Carl Leo has pointed out, do not use the needle hangers/clips from most aftermarket kits, use the OEM ones as the aftermarket hangers/clips tend to get hung up on the carb body casting and not shut correctly.
Several members have opened one drain screw after the other for a few seconds each while the engine is running. Apparently this creates turbulence in the float chamber which may dislodge debris. I haven't tried this so I can not attest to it's effectiveness.
I'm sure others may offer additional causes and I hope it clears up for you after your efforts to save this ride,
Dave

[Ajame01r]

Thanks for the tips! I'll hopefully have a few chances to try some of them this week. I'll be sure and post any updates here.