Carb problems 1989 Ninja 250 - anyone willing to come by to help?

[fusion2k]

I've got a 1989 Kawasaki EX250 Ninja with carb problems. Its currently leaking out the carb overflow, before it started leaking the bike would barely start and when it did it would idle poor and not rev at all. Anyone interested in coming to Guelph (hour or so west of downtown Toronto) and give me a hand getting it going? I'd be more than happy to buy you beer or pay cash, just want to save taking it into the shop. Looking to get this going ASAP, tomorrow (saturday) would be awesome.

Thanks in advance..

 

[Sundie]

I'm kinda busy tomorrow, but what it probably needs is a tear down and good cleaning. Always a good place to start, to find out what the P.O. has done, or messed with, and to get to know your bike. And some new swear words.

 

[RetroGrouch]

Sounds like the floats aren't filling up with fuel. Could be stuck float valve or improper float height.

 

[fusion2k]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The bike was running and riding 100% about a month ago. One morning the bike had a tough time starting, and it would barely idle after several tries to get it started. The throttle and choke had little effect on the idle speed. After letting the bike get up to temperature while idling, the bike would rev freely, but only IF the clutch was engaged. Figuring it was a carb related problem I pulled the carb off and took the float bowls apart. Needles had a small bit of debris but otherwise everything seemed fine. Cleaned everything up and put it back together and back on the bike. Now the carb leaks gas badly from the overflow (obviously by me). I've got the carb off the bike again, but I was hoping I could get a fellow member to make sure the carb itself is good and give me a hand getting it back on the bike. Once I know the carb is 100%, then I can start exploring other fuel related issues. Like I said the carb is off the bike so even if I was to meet someone somewhere just the go over the carb and make sure everythings good it would really help me out. The bike obviously isnt running and I have no access to truck so its hard to get this thing to a shop and these days shops have a few day wait so I was hoping to get the bike back on the road ASAP.

Thanks.

 

[Gryphon]

Yes - floats are not floating (for whatever reason).
Could be grit or mung or whatever glitching the float valve, or maybe the floats have just had it and one is broken/leaking.
Buy 2 new floats and set their height carefully, after inspecting your float valves and fuel filter & lines for any sign of dirt, rust or scale.
Maybe if you fix up the carbs you'll get another 20 years out of it,
Regards