Leaking gas from air box

[Guest]

I got my bike started but had to stay on the throttle to keep it going, it's been sitting in a garage for 3 years but kept up well before that. After the bike sat for a few minutes it began leaking gas like crazy from the air box. Any suggestions? It is an '82 gs850gl

[hampshirehog]

One or more of your floats is stuck or the valves aren't seating due to grunge build up. Sounds like you have some blocked jets as well - time to strip and clean your carbs.

[Burque73]

If it's coming out the airbox its probably filling the cylander and getting down into the crank case as well. Lots of us have had that happen, most just changed the oil and cleaned up the mess but some have damaged the engine trying to start with too much gas in the cylander.

See if the oil reeks of gas or maybe if the level has risen.

[roeme]

Your carbs are clogged, full of old fuel residue.

There's simply nothing else to do than what hog said. Strip and clean.

Edit: Oh and yes, better change out the oil as well, as suggested.

[chikinboi]

Thanks! Any tips on getting the choke cable out of the elbow joint?

[Burque73]

Thanks! Any tips on getting the choke cable out of the elbow joint?

I know it seemed impossible to get out of there but it does come out. Can't remember if it just took a lot of wiggling or if I resorted to a stiff wire to help push it out, or both.

Another note, how's the petcock? Was it left on prime? That was my mistake. Coming home after a long ride on what I thought was reserve and left over night flooded it bad. I know the carb floats should have stopped the fuel but didn't. Anyway, the petcock shouldn't let fuel flow while it's not running if in the reserve or on position.