Guess What I Found in the Bottom of Float Bowl....

[reb54]

An update to my #1 carb flooding.
I removed the carberators this afternoon and removed the float bowl for #1. First thing I noticed was a pinched float bowl gasket but it was still in one piece. I have a new one for reassembly. While cleaning the outside of the bowl I turned the bowl upside down and heard something hit the floor. I thought something was broken but what I picked up from the floor was my main jet!! No, I did not notice it until it hit the floor. I have never heard of this happening and I feel very confident this is the primary source of my flooding. I am going to check the remaining carbs to make sure everything is in good shape.

Randal Brown
Carrollton, TX
1981 Standard 1100

[HawkeyeGL1200]

I could see where having the high speed jet laying in the bottom of the float bowl would be a problem. Dang...

[redial]

If this is the cause of your problems, well found! (It does pay to have good lighting and a clean floor to find things that go wandering )

[reb54]

I don't want to mislead you, I just got lucky in finding the main jet as my floor is far from being neat and clean.
I also am assuming that the "fallen" main jet was the problem. Don't know enough to know exactly how that would effect the carburetor. Strange part is that the bike was running fine, just leaking gas.
Looking forward to having everything back together and riding again.

[ct1500]

I also am assuming that the "fallen" main jet was the problem. Don't know enough to know exactly how that would effect the carburetor. Strange part is that the bike was running fine, just leaking gas.

I do not see how it could have been running fine missing a main jet? In general terms because I don't know the specifics of the 1100 carbs but your missing jet is probably not the cause of flooding. No doubt someone has been into those carbs previously and you are likely to find other (like) problems.

Main jet carb circuits work on venturi vacuum which should be non existent at idle speeds therefore no vacuum to draw fuel in through the jet holder. The usual suspects for flooding are floats, float valves and plenum halves. You do not define where or when this flooding is happening or from but a specific item of a missing jet would more than likely only affect that particular carbs cylinder.

[reb54]

Thanks for the replies.
The last time I rode the bike before removing the carburetors was just around the block but it did run and idle fine. My buddy and I were trying to figure out why or how that was possible.....
But you do raise a very good point, I probably have not discovered the source of my leak. For the background on the carbs, my original post was titled "Gas leak from #1 carb" Jan 28, 2015.
The float bowl gasket was split for about 1" on a side but still in one piece albeit about half of the diameter in that one area. Maybe this is the source but that would be too easy.
I am going to check my float levels tonight.
I appreciate the input.