I am working on a 1996 sportster 1200. neighbors bike. bought kit, have 2 carbs to swap parts around. Bike cranks and runs great. turn it off and then the fuel will pour out of the over flow tube. I have tried to adjust the float height, if anything I should be starving for fuel. I have swapped out 3 needles none stop problem, I have tried 2 different bowls same issue. 2 different floats. I can manually push up on float and turn on petcock and no fuel comes out, slightly lower float and get fuel as it is supposed to work. put it back together and fuel comes pouring out. I bent pin up a little more still leaks. temp is 70 degrees, so pressure shouldn't be building. I have tried it with tank cap loose and tight. there is no vacuum connection on petcock. cleaned seat and it works by hand so it does shut off. I am baffled. any and all suggestions are welcome, I am right at getting a new carb but hate for it to do same thing, because of other issue. screw in drain is tight

 

according to fsm?
new carb should not do the same.
finger pressure is diff from float pressure.
how about carb body seat for the inlet needle.
correct needle for the inlet.

 

I believe it to be the correct needle I have 3, 2 from hd and 1 aftermarket. only the aftermarket was new. seat looks good with 5 power magnification.

 

ordered new needle and float I will give that a try?

 

Do the needles have the rubber tip intact? Did you set the float height at the prescribed angle? Check float for pinholes? Not a lot to those carbs really.

 

You can't set the float when the carburetor is installed and unless you've done it a-lot you need a feeler gauge.

 

Float should be set at 15-20* angle from the bottom of the body. I’m fighting this right now. Newer carbs from 2005+ don’t have an overflow. Hind sight is 20/20 and I would just find a screw and nipple cover to block it.

 

Is the float floating?? Maybe the float has a leak and is not floating up to shut fuel off.