service fuel level

My manual states that in order to adjust the service fuel level in all 4 carbs, I need a special tool.... is there a way around this, and if so, how?

The special tool is a piece of clear plastic pipe about 4 inches long with red marks every 1mm. You don't actually need a plastic pipe with red marks every 1mm. You can just use some clear tubing connected to your drain via a 1/4" vacuum fitting (these are soft plastic and you can scre it into the hole where the drain screw went). Hold the plastic tubing next to the side of the carb. The fuel level should be 1/8" below the gasket mating line. If you want to be precise, you can make marks on the clear hose 1mm apart using an indelible pen or something. Did you look at the pics in your manual for doing the Service Fuel Level technique?