Fuel leak

[cgobear69]

I have a 79 sf with a fuel leak. It seems that whenever the temperature (ambient) rises 10 or 15 degrees, I get a puddle of fuel and oil under the bike. Unfortunately, I can't make this happen when the bike is in the shop, so it doesen't get fixed.
Thanks in advance-

[TopCatGr58]

Go Cubbies!!!!

Okay, down to business, this is a frequent problem, you can check the tech tips for many suggestions, as well as doing a search in the forum, many threads also.

Okay, you've got a special, it has an extra group of hoses for the Octypus. It has a vacuum controlled valve in it, but it usually acts to prevent flow more than allow flow when it's not working properly.

The petcocks are the second problem, cause the Octy circuit allows fuel to bypass the Octy and to go straight to the carbs IF the petcocks are leaking out of the priming outlet!!!

Third is the carb float needles and seats, both an Oring around the seats, as well as the float needles not making a good tight seal. Crud in the tank getting past the pathetic intank filters stacks and getting stuck between the float needle valve and seat. A float may have also gone bad, leaking, thereby sinking instead of floating.

You'll want to check your oil for contamination of fuel, cause the gas can leak up thru the carbs, into the intakes and into the cylinders around the rings and down to the engine case. Put a stick in the oil, pull it out, and then try to light it with match/lighter, if it lights, then there's gas in the oil, replace it and filter!!!! But fix the fuel leak first!!! HTH, good luck!