So my bike has been sitting for about a week unused.

I went to ride it (2009 KLX 250SF) this AM but upon turning the petcock from OFF to ON I noticed fuel basically pouring out of the fuel lines (both). Turned back to OFF it stopped. Turned back to ON started again.

Then, in attempting to start it it would not turn over, and I think I killed my battery because now the starter won't even click.

What could have caused this, since last time I rode it the bike was working fine?

2 separate issues or are they connected? I'm thinking 2 separate.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated. This is my first bike so not even sure where to begin here. I'm usually pretty good with taking stuff apart so if there's a troubleshooting procedure I can try I'm up for it.

Thanks

Josh

 

The fuel leaking sounds like the needle valve for the float may be stuck and not closing causing it to over fill the bowl and leak out the vent. The other issue might be a bad battery. Try charging it and see if it will turn over.

 

Make sure all the gas is gone before messing with the battery, just say'in!

 

Thanks so far guys. So take the carb apart and check the float assembly I'm guessing? There's videos how to do that so I can try...

 

If you haven't, try giving the float bowl a tap with a screw driver handle before you take it apart.
Sometimes it works.

 

Another option is just lay the bike on it's side for a bit, it's easier than taking the carb off.

 

Thanks for the input.

What's the logic behind laying the bike on its side?

 

Had a similar experience recently

Always turn off the gas valve... always | Adventure Rider

Notice the poll results: out of 56 people, 78% have had this happen.

 

As luck would have it, on my bike the float when it sticks, it sticks closed. No fuel!

Solution:
1. Tap carb if you have a long screwdriver handy. Works about 50% of the time.
2. Lay the bike on it's side for 15 seconds. Works about 100% of the time. And easier than digging the long screwdriver out of the tool bag.

I have not explanation, it just works.

 

There is likely debris stuck in the float that prevents it from rising and cutting off the flow of gas. When the carb overflows due to this it does so through vent lines, but this cannot carry away the obstruction when the float is lifted as that's where the obstruction likely is. When the bike is laid on it's side the carb will still overflow but with the floats slack. The debris can be then flushed through the vent line.


I lay my bike on the side on the trail enough that this isn't a problem. Try crashing more. It helps.