Hey guys. I just got my first bike, its a kz550. And im having some problems with the carburator. It leaks gas pretty bad after i ride it. Do you guys have any suggestions on what i could do to stop some of these leaks? i checked the floats and they seem to be working just fine. but its still leaking a little and im stumped on what to do next.

 

Have you measured the fuel levels in the float bowls yet? They may be way out of adjustment.

Here is an easy way to find out what level your floats are at:


Buy an antifreeze tester like the one pictured, remove the little ***** inside, and leave off the squeeze bulb at the top. Connect it to the fuel bowl nipples at the bottom of your carbs and turn out the screw until gas comes out. Make sure to hold the tester body vertically beside the carburettor body. If the floats are set correctly, the fuel level will be just a millimeter or two below the float bowl mounting flange. You can see in the picture I took the fuel level is way too high for this carb body, and needs to be adjusted. (Do not use a straight piece of clear tubing to check your float levels. You will get inaccurate readings if you do.)

If all your levels are correct and it still leaks gas, check your gas tank for rust and debris. Small particles can run through your system and get clogged up at your float needles, effectively keeping the needles from stopping fuel flow.

 

ok i will give this a shot. thank you SO much!

 

oh one more question. how do you adjust the bowls to take in less gas?

 

Your floats will have these metal "tangs" on them where the float needle clips to it. Just bend the tangs up or down (slightly) to adjust the point where the needle will move into the seat and shut off the flow of gas.

BTW; I forgot to ask whether or not you checked the condition of the needles. You should inspect the tips to make sure they don't have wear groves on them. That would also allow them to leak extra gas into the bowls.

 

Where is it leaking from? Are you sure that the hoses are in good condition and are clamped?

Hey Mark, that looks pretty slick on the check tool. I have never tried that one.

 

Not a bad idea for a cheap and easy measuring tool.

 

yeah it's leaking out of the nipple looking things on the bottom of the carb.

 

That is a hilarious statement! lmao

 

Oh no!Leaky NIPPLE Things!!!