Motorcycle Repair: carb problems on a 1991 kawasaki 454 ltd(en450), kawasaki 454 ltd, gas leaks

Question
After driving the bike for more then five minutes gas leaks from the air filter case on one or both sides.  One carb would overflow into the other. Causing gas to leak from one or both carbs to leak, depending on which time I rode it. I have replaced the needle and the jets.  I dont know much else about the bike, I have only had it a year and have only driven it about 60 miles before the gas started leaking from the carbs. It was driving sluggish before that. Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Mike, you said you replaced the "needle and jets" Did you replace the "needle and seats"? These control fuel into the carb from the fuel tank via the floats. If you did replace the needles and seats and still fuel overfills the carbs then you should check your floats and see if they are sinking. Small pin holes can develop in the floats filling them with fuel and causing them to sink, this will cause the carbs to over fill. Take the float out of the carb and shake it..hear fuel inside..bad float, if floats appear ok then check there float height. with the floats assembled to carbs turn carbs upside down and inspect them. is one float riding lower than the other? You will need the exact float height spec, I dont have it. If floats are ok then look at your petcock, is there a vacuum line to it? Does it say "prime" on the petcock, if so remove the fuel line and if fuel flows the petcock has failed, time to replace it.
I hope this helps and thank you for asking.

  sincerely
         randy