After a year and some months of rebuilding my 2009 Mastiff, I filled the tank with gas started the bike for the first time and the overflow continues to flow. I read the forum on the guy who's kickstand leaned far and my does to but there must be another reason. Any suggestions how to fix? Thanks
Overflow Continues Flow
- Thread starter The Mule
- Start date
mleach72
Well-Known Member
The needle valve in your carb might have dirt in it or may need replaced. Try this, start the bike and turn the fuel off. When the engine begins to stumble, turn the fuel on. If there is dirt in the needle valve, this should flush it out.
Jersey Big Mike
100K mile club
Where is the fuel coming from?
Do you mean the overflow tube on the carb?
If so, turn off the petcock, start bike and run it dry
tap the carb a couples of times.
Turn on petcock and try again
Dirt stuck in the system will cause this.
Do you mean the overflow tube on the carb?
If so, turn off the petcock, start bike and run it dry
tap the carb a couples of times.
Turn on petcock and try again
Dirt stuck in the system will cause this.
You may want to rebuild the carburetor. After sitting around for over a year the gas in the carb will go bad and cause it to stick like varnish, which might be your problem. Either there is dirt in the gas and the needle won't sit or your gas has built up varnish that the your float is stuck as well. What I like to do if I am not going to ride for a couple of months I will drain the bowl or shut the petcock to off and lit the bike run until the fuel is all gone from the bowl, then turn the key off. Good Luck.
Carlos
Carlos
Carb sitting over a year. Was it cleaned or did you ever remove the gas from it on teardown? Try what Mike said, then when it starts to die out, turn the petcock back on, watch the gas leak out again. Pull carb.
Carb overflow troubletree:
a. Petcock is closed but leaks when turned off.
b. Debris is stuck between needle and seat... what Mike said so the gush of gas can flush that out is the one variable mentioned.
c. Float hinges varnished onto the float pin and is stuck.
d. Float needle [if rubberized] cannot hold close the flow.
e. Seat to needle both worn and still flows with proper float level.
f. Float level off at adjustment level.
g. Floats made of brass can fill up, to saturating a fiber type bowl and that weight keeps the flow going.
Sometimes the gas remains [at the bottom of the bowl] on engine off, clogs the main jet... being that deep still submerged in the soon to be varnish.
Carb overflow troubletree:
a. Petcock is closed but leaks when turned off.
b. Debris is stuck between needle and seat... what Mike said so the gush of gas can flush that out is the one variable mentioned.
c. Float hinges varnished onto the float pin and is stuck.
d. Float needle [if rubberized] cannot hold close the flow.
e. Seat to needle both worn and still flows with proper float level.
f. Float level off at adjustment level.
g. Floats made of brass can fill up, to saturating a fiber type bowl and that weight keeps the flow going.
Sometimes the gas remains [at the bottom of the bowl] on engine off, clogs the main jet... being that deep still submerged in the soon to be varnish.
Last edited:
I was finally able to get back to the big dog. I tried your tips and was still having issues. Decided to look more in detail from your posts and when the bike was running I never tapped the carburetor. You guys are geniuses it worked. Once I bled the brakes and make for sure it doesn't leak anymore I will post the rebuild 09 Mastiff. Thanks very much!!!!!
Jersey Big Mike
100K mile club
Tapping the carb helps jar whatever is stuck loose and beats having to take it apart!
Used to have to do that occassionally to my Mikuni on my first chopper.