RS and VM drain plug removal

How can I minimize fuel spillage while removing the bowl drain plugs on these carbs?

For draining my VM24SS carbs I cut a section out of the side of a plastic soda bottle and held that under the drain plugs to catch the fuel when I removed the plugs. Be POSITIVE that the petcock is turned off before removing a drain plug; and remember - NO SMOKING! Ed

650ed wrote: For draining my VM24SS carbs I cut a section out of the side of a plastic soda bottle and held that under the drain plugs to catch the fuel when I removed the plugs. Be POSITIVE that the petcock is turned off before removing a drain plug; and remember - NO SMOKING! Ed

Thinking ahead to when the carbs will be on the bike, and just how messy those little buggers could be to drain.
Do the plugs need to be completely removed, or just loosened a bit?

They have to come off. The bottom of a milk jug about 2" deep should do it.
Steve

If the bike is running, turn off the petcock and run them as close to dry as possible then at least there's much less fuel to contend with. It's also a good outside job so if any does spill, it will evaporate rather than stinking the garage or shed up.

swest wrote: They have to come off. The bottom of a milk jug about 2" deep should do it.
Steve

Makes the BS34 seem pretty user-friendly with the drain screw/nipple setup on the bottom of the bowls...

Been thinking about drilling a 3/32" (drain) hole through the drain-plug threads about midway up, so the plugs wouldn't have to be completely removed for the fuel to drain. Seems it would have a more controlled release of fuel rather than a stinky splash, with the drain plug likely to belly-flop into the pool of fuel just to have the last laugh.

There already is a drain hole about half way up (at least there is on the VM24carbs). Ed

They have large caps over the main jets.
Steve

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configuration

650ed wrote: There already is a drain hole about half way up (at least there is on the VM24carbs). Ed

Not on these for some :S reason. These plugs use an o-ring to seal against the bowl.
Well, I guess its time for another experiment...

Below is a (very-nice) version of the plug currently available on ebay, with no holes either:

I always use a good sized rag to catch what ever the home made bowl misses too...... my drain plugs got so loose on my smooth bores I had to replace em..... lotta winter draining and jetting........ seems the bowls were made outta slightly better material cause the new plugs tightened things up again..... stockers are fine as they've only been run 7 or 8 years.

Wonder if three drain holes would work?

I wouldn't.
Steve