550 maxim float dry setting

A buddy of mine is working on my carbs and has a question. He used to work on these bikes in a shop years ago, nut doesn't recall this info. He is setting the float levels and wants to know the places you measure from when doing it dry, as that was the way his shop did it bac then. Looking on this site, it looks like the measurement should be 22.5mm, but where exactly do you get that measurement from? Pics would be helpful. Thanks
1982 XJ550J maxim

 

He does realize "dry" setting is only the starting point, right?

That measurement is for the Hitachis, I'm pretty sure the Mik's are like 17.5mm or somesuch; somebody's posted a diagram at some point, it's nearly impossible to describe without a picture.

 

He says that's the way they did it 20 years ago, and he's always gotten my bikes to run spot on. Might have to do it the wet way for 1 and sight the others this time.

 

You can do it that way (wet-set one and match.) It's still only a starting point.

Float levels are CRITICAL on the 550s; they need to be verified WET, all 4. There's only a 2mm margin of error allowable, and one high or low float will drive you nuts when carb tuning, trust me.

 

That's probably what was wrong with mine.

 

The Hitachi HSC32 is 17.5mm. On the 550 Mikunis I believe it's 22.5 +/- 0.5mm. You measure from the gasket surface (no gasket) on the carb body to the point on the float farthest from the body.

As Fitz pointed out - this should get you in the ballpark. They should be verified wet.