How To: Adjust float level. With PIX!!

Adjusting float level.

I know this has been covered here before, but I thought some pictures for an easy to make rig would help someone else.

This technique will work for virtually any motorcycle carburetor.

I took a board and bolted two rubber carb holders to it. I used old ones that leaked and were no longer serviceable.

Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:02

This will take multiple posts to get it all on the board.

I got a gas tank (free) from a old riding lawnmower. The mower shop just gave it to me.

I bought a shutoff valve , filter and a few feet of hose.
You need clear hose for the carb float bowls..

The gas tank is also useful to start a engine without installing the tank. This is useful for carb adjustments.


Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:16

I mount the gas tank with Tie-Wraps so it can be easily removed.
Put the setup in a vise, and mount the carbs.
CAUTION: Use clamps to hold them in, so they won’t fall and break!

Hook up the hose from the tank and open the valve.

Wait 60 seconds, and if no leaks occur you can start testing the float level.
If a leak occurs tap LIGHTLY on the float bowls with a screwdriver handle.
If it still leaks, you have a float level that is too high, a stuck float, or a bad needle and seat.
Repair that before proceeding.


Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/03/04 12:35

If no leaks, put the clear hose on the float bowl nipple, and bend it in a 180 degree curve and secure the loose end to the carb.

Open the float bowl screw and allow the gas to flow into the clear hose.
Observe the level and adjust as necessary.

Repeat for each carb.

If adjustments are necessary proceed as follows.
1) Close the valve from the gas tank.
2) Allow the gas from each carb to flow into a jar and dump it back into the tank.
This avoids spilled gas on the workbench and floor!
3) Remove the board with carbs from the vise and install in the vise upside down.
4) Remove the float bowl from any carb needing adjustment
You do not have to remove the float from the carb.
5) To LOWER the float level, use a small screwdriver and bend the little tab down a little.
CAUTION: Make small adjustments!

Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:10

Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:13

Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:14

6) To RAISE the float level, use needle nose pliers and squeeze, to bend the tab up slightly.
CAUTION: Make small adjustments!
7) Put the float bowls back on, and turn over the board. With the carbs upright, recheck the float level in any carb you adjusted.

Install carbs on bike and sync the carbs. I will do a how to on that soon.

RIDE SAFE!


Post edited by: FloridaBiker, at: 2008/02/29 13:15

Nice rig!

Good stuff. Neat setup! Thanks for sharing.

I like the fact that the old lawn mower gas tank got a new vocation. I need to set something up like that.

Gee it seems a lot easier to measure the gas level on your carbs than on my 650-B1. I have to screw a level tester into each carb one at a time.

Best of success!

yes, I'd love to see those pix but they are long gone now. Anyone else have pics or link to pics of a simple as hell bench rig for float adjustment? I'm thinking it might be easiest to set my tank on the bench and the carb on a little table below. Then I can sit while I monkey around with it too.

Oh yeah, I have one of those workmate type tables shown in the experimental thread.


I can just set the tank on the bench and the table sits several inches lower. My table has cross members where I can set a tub on a board below the carbs for easy draining.