Does the float level effect the pilot screw setting?

85 XJ 700N, Hatachi 33 carbs. Carbs are spotless, synced, floats are wet set, valves adjusted, no gas leaks. Using colortune plug my pilot screws are anywhere from 3/4 to 1 1/4 open. I was expecting something in the range of 2 1/2 open after cleaning the carbs. I think the floats are good, but if I did make a mistake and get them set too high, would that effect the settings for the pilot screws?

 

Yes. Higher fuel level will mean pilot screws will need to be open less.

If the fuel level is correct don't worry about the mixture screws. There is some variation (if they could be perfect they wouldn't need mixture screws). The numbers you see posted are merely educated guesses to get you started.

 

It appear in such a thing.

 

Depending on the SIZE of the Pilot FUEL Jet.

Hitachi:
The JET is immersed in Fuel.
The FUEL Level rises within the Passage at rest to make for a briefly enriched mixture upon starting.
Thereafter, ... the JET "Meters" the Volume of Fuel to the Passage depending on Throttle Position.
At Idle ... with the BYPASS Orifice covered ... the Mixture can be made slightly more Lean or Rich, ... depending on the Pilot Mixture Screws setting for the IDLE POST.

Off Idle:
The BYPASS PORT is Uncovered.
Fuel is Siphoned from the Pilot Circuit.
The BYPASS Orifice - and - the IDLE Orifice supply FUEL from the Pilot FUEL Jet dependent upon the Sizes of the Pilot FUEL Jet - and - Pilot AIR Jet.

Under Mid-range and Full Throttle the Pilot FUEL Jet restricts the flow to its Maximum amount according to the Ratio of the Fuel and Air Jet sizes to supply Supplementary Richness to the Intake to aid in Fine Tuning and to maintain Combustion(s) --> (Idle and Coasting w/o stalling) at times when the Throttles are Closed to reduce speed and come to a stop without needing to "Blip-open" the Throttles to keep running while at rest.

 

Ok, so if I have the stock jets and the pilot screws are open only about 1 to 1 1/2, that might indicate slightly high float settings?? That could then account for the very poor 33 mpg I'm getting. My object here is to get the proper mixture and improve mpg without running too lean. Tonight I adjusted the pilot screws half way between the red and yellow flame and plan to try to fine tune the pilot screws from there based on the plug colors. If that doesn't get the mpg up, then I'll check the floats for about the 5th time.

 

If the Floats are within Specs:



The Pilot Mixture Screws adjusted to let the Bike IDLE and get-out-of-the-hole...

The NEXT major contributing factor to Fuel Economy is:

How you ride!

 

I cruise between 55 and 65, and never horse a bike. I get 55 mpg with my Honda Shadow 750, so I am assuming my riding style is not the main problem. If the pilot screws don't do it, then I have to assume the float levels are off, even though I've checked them 3 times. I must be doing something wrong or perhaps the needle valves are leaking when running.