My 75 MK3 has started to drip fuel from the overflow that is connected to float chamber. Not the occasional small drip, but actual puddles (albeit small ones). The back-story is that I recently had to open the top of the carb (a Mikuni) up to reinsert the throttle cable that somehow slipped out. To get to the top I simply loosened the carb and turned it slightly on its side. Since then I noticed that the bike is much harder to start, but does eventually start. Once running it sometimes hesitates at low speed, sometimes in the midrange, but seems to do fine up top. Before I open up the carb I was wondering what I should be looking for? Could the float be sticking? If so, how would I tell, is it obvious? I have very little carb experience and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.
-paul

Hey C. sounds like the float has changed. got to be something causing it to stick or drag not allowing the needle to seat . gasket shifted ? tiny trash speck in the needle seat. Any chance the float tab got bent. These are all typical carb problems that can occur. I Have never seen a makuni apart so it could be a different setup ie: float/needle /seat arangement but the above can still apply.

If its a Mikuni VM then there are two floats in each bowl. If it worked fine before tilting, should be trash related. The floats are molded around brass tubes. The float w/tubes ride up and down on small rods. With time, grung can form on these rods and in the tubes of the floats causing them to drag. You can remove the four screws holding the bowl and clean/soak the float/rod with carb cleaner. This in not uncommon on carbs where the fuel has evaporated leaving residual funk behind. While you have it down, pull the hinge pin on the float valve acuating arm and clean/inspect the float needle. The needle should have a spring-loaded plunger on the non-sealing end. Make sure it is not stuck. Easy fix and nothing to get out of adjustment.

If you haven't already, probably won't hurt to determine why the cable came loose while you are at it. It didn't fix itself and will let you down when you least expect it.

Z

Thanks for the replies. I took the carb off and soaked the lower half in carb cleaner. Made sure the posts that the floats ride on were clean and free of debris. Got a copy of the Mikuni tuning guide and poked a guitar string thru the pilot jet, then blew out the passages with a compressor. I noticed a few very small bits of grunge come out, but they were pretty microscopic. Put everything back together and took her out... she's back to normal. Amazing how such small specks create such big headaches. I was stunned by how simple the carb is... each issue removes one more fear I have of screwing something up.
-paul