Leaking Carb

[RIX97]

I have a 1997 Tourer with around 22,000 miles that I don't get much opportunity to ride.  After sitting for a month or two I always have a significant gas leak from one or two of my carbs.  It seems like a float get plugged or stuck.  After I ride for a while it used to straighten itself up but this year has been a pretty poor riding year for me and now the leak continues even after riding for a while.  Is there anything I could run through my gas tank that would help to free up the floats or do I have to do a carb job?

Thanks in advance.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'd try some techron before I'd think about pulling the carbs.

[pago cruiser]

I've had great luck with Seafoam.  Follow the directions, and if it does not get better after 2 cans or so, the gunk has built up too much and they need disassembly and cleaning.  At least around here, it's the ethanol in the fuel that (over time) turns to a varnish like material, and ends up making the float valve stick, making the jet holes smaller, etc.  If the true cost of all the carb rebuilds necessary because of ethanol going bad were ever calculated into the cost/benefit ratio, that cr@p (ethanol) would never have got off the ground. 
Good luck.   

[indybobm]

In my opinion, nothing works as good, or as fast, as Chemtool B12. Plus it is less than $4.00 a can at Walmart.

[salty1]

I see this is an older post but your floats may not be the problem.  ???   I'm guessing that your fuel rail Orings are drying out between rides. 24 hrs before your next ride start the bike and let it run until the fuel leak is evident then turn it off and let it sit. After 24 hr, the leak may have stopped because the gas swelled the Orings to the point of sealing that passage. You can stuff paper toweling under the carbs to catch the spill. If the leak(s) persist to be a major problem,  rebuild those carbs. RIDING your bike with the carb system leaking gas is just asking for trouble. FWIW