What is it for? should gas be occasionally leaking from it? If gas is not supposed to be leaking, why would it be?

Thanks

 

They are the float bowl drain tube and the float bowl vent tubes. If you rock or tip/lean the bike way over it is normal for a small amount of gas to drip out the vent tubes for a short time. If gas is flowing out constantly you most likely have some debris stuck up in the float valve assembly or the valve assembly is worn out (look for a ring around the tapered tip of the valve needle), or less likely the float level is off or even less likely the float itself is full of gas due to a leak.

 

Or the float bowl drain screw is loose, forgot that one, not very lkely though if you haven't been messing with it.

 

thanks, it doesnt take much when I lean it over to get a little bit to come out. But after a few drips it wont do it anymore. I think the tube was misplaced because it has a hole it in from rubbing against the chain (this is my girlfriends xt225). I also see a little bit of oil mixed with the gas but now that i think about it, it might just be chain lube mixed with the gas that is dripping. I moved the position and I'll keep an eye on it.

 

If I run the bike with the fuel off until the bike stalls will the tube stop leaking. I thought it had stopped but a little bit seems to be dripping every so often.

 

Yes, that will get rid of the gas in the carb, as well as get it ready for the next ride in case you have one of the 225 bikes that fall into the 95% of them that are hard starting like my wifes.

 

Might be a good idea to pull the carb off dissassemble it then clean and inspect it. There maybe some crud in the float valve or it maybe worn. You might want to clean the fuel petcock screen as well (if there is one on that bike, most bikes have them). As far as the chain lube and chain wear on the tip of the hoses that's normal, I periodically replace those hoses as they get discolored and brittle. I think I use aquarium (fish tank) air hose from Wal-Mart, or something along those lines.