Service fuel level question

The bike is a KZ1000P. The carb is a Mikuni BS34. Regarding the service fuel level measurement, I've looked through the archives and seen only references to measuring this from the drain screw hole rather than the drain. Is there a reason not to use the drain? Seems like the same gravity is driving that problem. I know after I get out of the carb, I need to be in a better-than-0.25"-ID hole but that part is easy. There must be something to this because it looks like a total PITA to get at those holes on the inner two carbs and nobody seems to be not using the screw hole. Thanks.

Mike

Hmmm. I just used the drain hole and used the screw to control the flow. That's how it says to do it the FSM. Here's a snapshot of that section of the manual:

Mike, I just re-read your post, and now understand where the confusion lies. What you have read in the archives does not apply to your type of carbs.

On my 78 KZ1000-B2 with VM26 carbs, there is no drain nipple with a screw valve that I can just attach a tube to, open the valve, and take a measurment. Instead, there is just a drain plug. So you either need to get the special tool ($$$) that is basically a valve that screws into the drain hole--or you need to improvise some other method--which is probably what you were reading in the archives.

On my '82 KZ1000 with BS34 carbs like yours, there is a drain nipple with a built-in valve screw. So you can just attach a vinyl tube to the nipple and open the valve to get your measurement. MUCH easier. Disregard what you have read in the archives. It doesn't apply to your setup.

Skyman wrote:

Mike, I just re-read your post, and now understand where the confusion lies. What you have read in the archives does not apply to your type of carbs.

On my 78 KZ1000-B2 with VM26 carbs, there is no drain nipple with a screw valve that I can just attach a tube to, open the valve, and take a measurment. Instead, there is just a drain plug. So you either need to get the special tool ($$$) that is basically a valve that screws into the drain hole--or you need to improvise some other method--which is probably what you were reading in the archives.

On my '82 KZ1000 with BS34 carbs like yours, there is a drain nipple with a built-in valve screw. So you can just attach a vinyl tube to the nipple and open the valve to get your measurement. MUCH easier. Disregard what you have read in the archives. It doesn't apply to your setup.

Sorry I didn't pick up on that... thank you very much for the clarification! Must be cool to be you... two KZ's:) Wait... I have two as well! LOL... thank you.

Mike