got some clamps on the hoses, and it seems like that might have done the trick - fingers crossed. thanks all!

scratch that, still leaking, to the point where i have a few small spots of gas on the ground after leaving the bike sitting overnight (also lots of gas smell). now have gas dripping from the petcock and the bottom of the carburetor and the hose running between them. the clamps that were put on (note there wasn't one placed on the hose where it meets the carb) don't seem to have done anything, suggesting that wasn't the problem. but based on the pictures, it sure seems like i have more than one place gas is leaking from.

given that it also needs new tires, i am seriously about to quit on this bike after all of 500 miles.

http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/pictu...&pictureid=181
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/pictu...&pictureid=182
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/pictu...&pictureid=183

Don't get discouraged. Ebay is a wonderful place to shop. Look for a new petcock to replace the old one or a rebuild kit. Look for a carb kit to rebuild the carb. Shouldn't cost an arm or leg and will mean a better selling price if you do still want to sell the bike. No one wants to buy a potential fireball that has gas leaking near warm parts.
As for tires...............well, you might or might not have known that going in but a person should always expect a certain amount of cost related repairs and maintenance with a used bike. Tires are maintenance items and safety items. When you get the bike up to snuff you will be more than satisfied and gained some experience and a sense of accomplishment.

thanks, i'll see what i can get my hands on. as you say, probably a slim chance selling it anyway unless i get it fixed. (i've had it back to the shop i bought it from ... 3 times now?)

it'll probably take me a couple weeks to get my hands on a new petcock and carb kit. do you think it's dangerous riding around with a slow gas leak like that?

I might do it but I won't say you should do it. It all depends on the amount of fuel leaking and the amount of risk you are willing to take.

Clean that carb off with a good dose of carb cleaner spray. You need to see where the leak originates from and you won't see that in its current state.

The drips and stuff at the bottom aren't leak points. I think what you're seeing is simply the effect of the leaking gas hugging the carb on its way down and then dripping off at those lowest points.

It is quite a lot that's leaking. Give the whole thing a solid clean and then wipe it down and sit there and look for wet spots to develop. It won't take long. And you'll know what's going on.