Start a stripped GL

[Eckhard]

I am in the process of exposing the carbs to hunt down a fuel leak when the bike runs. I am trying to pin point the source of the leak and not change everything in sight and hope for the best. Will I be able to start the bike when I have removed the filter box and I can actually see the carbs and hopefully the source of the leak?

[bellboy40]

You should be able to start the bike with the air cleaner assembly removed. It will be noisier because of the hoses disconnected but it will run and you might be able to see where it is leaking. There is not much room to see very well even with the air cleaner removed. A good bet would be the float bowl gaskets are leaking. That is what was causing mine to leak.

[tsandvik]

Another place to look is the fuel line where it connects to the carbs. Mine had old lines. Got loose right at the very connection end. Almost impossible to tighten any clamps without taking off the carbs. In fact any leak will probably call for the carbs to be removed.

[Eckhard]

Got it to the point where I could see the carbs throats and one is dirty and black and the other is pristine. It seems to be spitting back into the airbox. The air cleaner box on that side has shellac in it. Looks like I need to strip the carb and check why this is.

[Rambozo]

Look for vacuum leaks. Broken or cracked hoses, etc.