Sad

[oldyam80sg]

My bike has been in my Moms garage since last April when i drove it to there begin working on it.Bike was not running right as the #2 cylinder(I think cylinder second in from clutch lever)was lukewarm at best.I removed the carbs and the screens where the needle valves go into were plugged almost solid with crap.After i cleaned them several times with the help of this site,the bike screams.Mom needs to do some things in the garage and the weather is getting warmer every day so the bike will go into my storage unit.I will see it go back in the garage once Mom does her thing(painting) but for now the bike has to leave.I have not gone for a ride since November,but the bike has been started up every 2 weeks and should be fine.

[oldyam80sg]

Started up bike and rode flawlessly until i got it to my storage unit.Looked at bike before i put it in and there was a small trail of gas that came from the filter area.Not leaking but a concern.I 'm thinking that i let it idle too long.Will check it out tomorrow.

[jetmechmarty]

That kind of leak caused me a nice fire! Fix it.

In my case, I discovered the PO had broken a float mount stud and repaired it with JB Weld. The repair failed and the float stuck. I made the discovery by fire. If my daughter had not been present and quick to retrieve a fire bottle, my bike would have been a total loss in seconds. Don't let it happen to you!

I acquired a pair of late XS650 carbs to replace the damaged one. The late XS650 has the same carbs. Earlier XS650s run larger carburetors and aren't suitable to the XS11.

[DGXSER]

Hey Yam, sorry you had to relocate the ride to a storage.

Why would letting it idle to long cause a trail of gas from the air cleaner? I have many things to learn, but that does not compute for me. My opinion would be you got float valve issues.

Perhaps I am missing something on the issue of leaking fuel. I keep reading about folks fixing their petcocks so that they don't have fuel in the air box and therefore engine. But in my opinion, the petock is only gonna hide the porblem until the next time you run the bike. I had one carb float that was fine until the bike was running and I had forgot to turn the petcocks on, so the fuel level dropped, and either the float stuck down or it drew some fuel line pieces in. either way, it did not close off when the bowl got full and that cylinder went MUCHO rich, and it smoked like a 007 bike on that side. shut it off, and fuel ran out the air box. So unless I am missing something, my thought is anytime you got fuel running out the air box or can smell it in the oil, the float valves need attention. JMHO. As usual, I await the corrections that may be forthcoming.

[oldyam80sg]

I'm thinking that because i let it idle a while before i got to ride it, a float stuck and that is why i got the spot of fuel.Does it make sense? -no- but i cant see inside the carb as to what happened.I will go to my storage unit today and ride the bike before the rain comes.

[DGXSER]

You know, now that I think about it, if you did like me and forget to open your petcocks. The fuel bowl could drop and get stuck. Would not be the first I have heard of it and then someone tapping the bowl to free it up and no problems.

I hope you are right and all is well. I'm sure it would be a real PITA to pull the carbs at the storage unit. Like Jetmech stated though, be cautious. Hate to hear of the oldyam going up in flames, either of you.

[79XS11F]

Don't put it in the storage unit with a fuel leak. Prop up the fuel tank and connect the fuel petcocks to each other with a short length of fuel line. Drain and pull the carbs cause you need to work on them anyway. Check floats and float needle valves.
Rob

[DiverRay]

I agree with Rob on this one. The problem may just be the lower stop tang on the float. If you did NOT adjust it, the float level can go too low, and the float can "stick". It's a PITA to pull the carbs, but it's easier to pull UNBURNED carbs.
I would also check fuel lines and filters. The wrong line, even new, will allow bits to go into the needle and seat area.

[oldyam80sg]

Found the problem.I went to my storage unit and no gas on the ground and i checked the oil level-did not smell of gas.So i started up the bike and looked for leaks-none in sight,so i shut the bike off and waited 5 minutes.I checked the hoses and saw a small drop of fuel on the bottom of the fuel line.The line sits right about where the spot was yesterday.I noticed that the line going to the bottom of the fuel filter i installed last year was the culprit.I shut off the petcocks and let the bike run out of gas.I am looking into a smaller filter as the Purolator filters i got last year are too big and will put another clamp on the line as it was leaking from the fuel line near the top of the filter.Right now the gas tank is off the bike.

[DGXSER]

Glad you found the problem and that it did not need pulling the carbs to fix.

[oldyam80sg]

I just ordered new filters from Dennis Kirk.They were cheaper than i thought and smaller than whats on there too!They should be here Friday and I have off from work on Fridays-crappy economy.

[oldyam80sg]

Just got my filters today,so i will put them on tomorrow.These filters are smaller than my Purolator filters i got at Advanced Auto.Really small-Dennis Kirk 1/4"fuel line visu-filters

[oldyam80sg]

Installed the filters today.Really small and can easily get in between the stock boots.No leaks and i let it sit and turned the petcocks on and off and still no problems.I looked at my other filters and cant find anything out of the ordinary but did notice looking at the actual filter i don't think that it allowed the gas to fully flow through it.Also noticed that the base of the filter looked wet.