more 2 cycle questions

[Rocketman]

How do you tell if you need to replace your reeds?

I have been having problems with my new 86 250r dripping
gas out the overflow on the carb when the bike sits overnight.
I have been through the normal things. Took the shutoff valve
apart and cleaned it. I have tested it, know it works. I have
adjusted the float level, and it has a new needle in the carb.
The seat looks fine(the seats in the pj series carbs are not replaceable). I am beginning to think the gas is beginning to flow back out of the cylinder through the reeds and back into the carb.

Is this possible?

[Mr. Richard]

reeds have nothing to do with your problem,, take your gas line off put a small container under it let it set overnight to make sure that the petcock isn't leaking, thats the only place gas comes from ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Fuzzy]

I had the same problem with a carb i was working on. Like you said the seat isnt replacable. But the float it was useing was one of them plastic ones. And didn have any ways to adjust it. So i ditched the float for a metal one that i could adjust and that fixed the problem. But like Kasey said shutting the gas off after you ride would keep it from draining the gas out. But if yours is like mine. It was leaking gas while i was riding also. If you let the engine sit and idle do you see gas coming out of the overflow hose . Or dose it burn the fuel fast enough to not leak when running?. If that is the case then i say just shut the fuel off when you are done. Or find a adjustable float that will let you push the needle up father shutting off the fuel supply.