Fuel leaking into air filter

Started by Lurcher, 21 Apr, 2025, 15:41

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Lurcher

Hi all, having issue with my 1969 Royal Star.  Went out on her today, started fine 2nd kick from cold & went for a run of a few miles.  Stopped & could not get her to start again - left her for an hour, came back & she started fine.  Ran her around the block & once again having run could not get her to start. 
Started to look for the issue & found fuel dripping slowly from the air filter.  I'm not the greatest mechanic but suspect fuel is getting from the carb into the air filter & suspect float bowl issues - needle not seating properly maybe? 
Any advice would be much appreciated. 
Thanks.

iansoady

Your guess that it's the needle sounds spot on. I like the newer alloy ones with Viton tips, which are slightly dearer than the brass ones.
Ian.
1964 Norton Electra
1969 BSA / Suzuki DZR400 / Steib S501
2016 Herald Classic 250

Lurcher

Thanks Ian, will get a new one with the Viton tip ordered.

BrummieJon

Poor hot starting sounds like a condenser failure

iansoady

I'd agree with a magneto but with a unit twin?
Ian.
1964 Norton Electra
1969 BSA / Suzuki DZR400 / Steib S501
2016 Herald Classic 250

idie


V500

New one on me. On mags, yes, but I've never known it on coil-and-points cars or bikes.
Capacitor (condensor) failure is usually indicated by sparking/burning points.

DAVE BRADY

Hi Lurcher,

Was the bike running OK before this problem?
As mentioned, it is probably a float/float needle problem. When you stop and then the bike won't start again it is probably flooding. If you leave it with the fuel turned off then excess fuel will run out of the carb. and also evaporate. Hence, it will start unless you leave it with the fuel on and it floods again.

Dave.