1979 GS750 (VM26SS) Leaking Float Bowls

[Rijko]

i bought a bunch of gaskets back then.
Carb tops, float bowls and clutch covers, 10 sets.

Liked the idea they are reusable, and they will not stick like the paper types do.
Just open the carbs or clutch and no need to have new ones handy because
one breaks. Or worse, have to wait for days for the mail order to arrive.

So far, not one of them broke or leaks after multiple uses.

[LeonAlistar]

I bought Hildebrandt rubber reusable gaskets years ago, like them a lot !

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295685460297

They are bike lovers, real friendly guys, highly recommend them.
If they don't have the right gaskets you can send them one and they will reproduce it in rubber.

Thanks for the link - for $10, they're ordered! Should be here in the next week or two.

Given that my fuel levels appear stable (at least statically), I'm guessing that either my fuel level readings are inaccurate, my carb bodies are slightly warped, that the paper gaskets I bought leak or wick gas, or some combination of the above. Given that as best as I can tell my fuel levels are OK, my current plan is to move on to installing them in the bike, and checking float levels again with the bike running as depicted in the manual. Maybe once these rubber gaskets come in, if I'm still having issues and the fuel levels appear OK, I'll switch them out and see if it improves. It's a very slow leak, so I won't let that stop me from moving forward with vacuum synching and other maintenance items (i.e., valve clearances).

Thanks all for the help & advice!

[oldGSfan]

Another useful thing to do is to use a Q-tip, dipped into Brasso or similar, and polish the inside of the float needle seat.

I used a wooden cotton swab and put it in the drill, worked a treat! Works with 'normal' types too if you snip one end but wooden is better. I can't remember where I learned that (maybe you!) but it fixed the leaks on my CB750. I also gave the float needles a polish, used Mother's. I think that was about the 7th time I had the carb rack off.