Carburetor rebuild kit?

[Navymech]

So, today, while riding home from work, I goosed ol girl down the street from my house.  Upon leaving later on that night, I smelled gas, but assumed I must have overfilled the gas tank earlier.  I drove down to MA and parked at dunkin donuts.  While there, I noticed the gas smell was overwhelming, and upon looking at the engine, noticed there was a nice puddle on top of it!  Being deeply concerned, I thought a line came off the carburetor.  After taking everything in the way out, I realized that it was not a loose line, but in fact the carburetor overflow lines (while not running, fuel just kept coming out for a while).    Specifically coming out of the second valve overflow.  My friend who also has a motorcycle and races, said I probably blew a gasket when I goosed it, and it was probably on it's way out anyway. 
He recommended I get a carb rebuild kit, and just do all of them.  Two questions, where is a trustworthy place to get one, and after it's done, how do I check how rich/lean I'm running?  I must say, I'm impressed that I can take the whole bike apart with just the tools in the back!

[Arnie]

You probably do NOT need to rebuild the carbs.  What you've described is usually caused by a stuck float needle valve.
You can "usually" free it by tapping lightly on the side of the carb, or riding off a curb.  If these don't fee it you can disconnect the fuel pump, drain the float bowls and then re-connect the pump.  The new flush of fuel will usually move the dirt or crud away and allow the needle valve to seat.  You should probably clean the carbs and tank, because this is where the crud comes from.

If you do decide to properly clean and service the carbs, make sure you get a kit of SS cap screws and O-rings from David Raforth (SlowOldGuy) it will make any future carb work much easier.

Cheers,
Arnie

[andyb]

The gaskets on the FJ carbs is only the bowl gasket, which only leaks when you tear it taking it off, as a rule.

I'd agree that you stuck a float.  Could also have chosen that time for an needle seat oring to start leaking, but Arnie is right in the entirety of his post.  SS Screw kits are awersome.

[Navymech]

Yeah, feeling pretty silly at the moment, but I suppose that's part of the whole learning thing.    I have to take the airbox out again anyway because when putting it back together, I never put the line that connects to it on, so if I should do something then, I'm all ears.  She's nice and cozy in my dad's garage right now!

[Navymech]

Update: I bought some carb cleaner, put it in the gas, ran it for a while while revving the engine for a bit.  When I shut it off, it didn't leak a drop...Well now I know!  Since my friend messed with the fuel setting on the #2 carb I'm going to have to reset it, it's three turn out from all the way in, correct?

[andyb]

Correct answer?  It depends.

Check the others, see where they're at, and then match them.  They may have been set differently.

If you really want to tweak away at it though, you could spend a few hours giving dialing it a shot.