Carb assembly question

Hi guys

Putting together my cleaned carbs...
1st attempt, gasoline pours out the drain hoses for carb 3 and 4, so I take them apart, don't know what I did wrong, because everything looks clean and nice...
2nd attempt, gasoline still leaks out the drain, but instead of a solid flow, it now only drips.

As I take them off, quite a bit of gas comes out the carb shoes to the cylinder... That, as well as the overflow, was not a problem before I took them apart, so I guess I put something together wrong?

Also, is it possible to turn the fuel cut-off needles wrong? If so, which way is the right one?

I hope you guys can help

 

more likely you snagged up the floats, or ,have them upside down.
the needles should fit either way round, with the pointy bit to the top, and in the needle seat.
what bike ,which carbs?
stu

 

Thanks for the insight, I might actually have turned them upside down. It would be typical me.
It's an '82 XJ600 72hp with standard Mikuni carbs.

 

Actually you assemble them upside down so the float needle 'point' will face down. Just to clarify.

 

Ok, update, I swapped the float needles and the filter/cocks they go into. The rubber seals on the other ones were so hard, I thought they were metal bushings or something.

The bike runs now, no fuel leaks.

Today's question:
I only put on the carbs and tank. No airfilter or choke/speed cables, then manually held the choker in.
The motor runs but once the choker is off, it idles at very low RPMs.
Is this due to me not putting on the air filter yet, or is something completely wrong?

EDIT:
I tried spraying WD40 on the carb shoes, but this didn't have any effect on the idle RPM. They seem well sealed.

EDIT2:
Tried now with the airbox on, same thing. The idle is at very low RPMs still. Will test drive at higher RPMs tomorrow to see if the motor otherwise runs ok.

 

What is "very low" RPM's?
My 81 XJ650 is recommended to idle at 1050.


Have you tweaked the idle adjustment knob?
Generally found in between carb 2 & 3.

 

If you have not performed a running (vacuum) synch on the engine/carbs, do that and your other problems will likely go away......

 

It won't run well without the air box.