Ghassman,
Short answer - YES, you need new float needles. If you had the skill and wherewithall to get the carbs off, dissassemble, and clean them, this should be pretty straight forward. Murp of Murph's Kits makes a petcock conversion that will give you an 'off' position.
There are a few articles available showing how to put overflow tubes in the carbs which I'd highly recommend. I have the same bike, had the same issue at 2500 miles. No bent rod, just passed 65K last week.
Good luck.