Angled jet needle: supposed to be?

Hi

I opened one carb and noticed that the jet needle will position itself in an angle, because of a small tab that is pressed from below the vacuum piston into the piston. A 2-stroke bike of mine has this too, but its needle holding ring also has a recess for this tab to enable the needle to position vertical.

However, when I drop the vacuum piston of my XJ in its piston bore, the jet needle doesn't drop into the emulsion tube. First I have to lift the needle a bit to position it vertical. Once it is dropped into the emulsion tube, the spring pushes it in an angled position again, I guess even making the needle to scratch against the emulsion tube. Is this normal?

Not the vacuum piston of an XJ, but this is what I'm talking about:

 

I don't know what carbs you have.

I had a similar problem with the Hitachi HSC32's.
As long as the diaphragm/ piston/ needle assembly passes the 'clunk' test you should be ok.

 

That' because of the spring (smaller spring on top of the needle inside the pisoto, not the big spring that is inside the diaphragm) pushing down on the top of the needle, and there's a little bump that the needle base pivots on. That keeps the needle very free to move. When you install the slide you guide the tip of the needle with your fingertips into the center of the Emulsion tube. If its no centered, it will LOOK like its moving, but the reality is the needle will be shifting up and down a bit inside the piston, not in the Emulsion tube.

Long and short of it is; yes, your needle will be at an angle in free air, but it will be straight once you guide it properly into the tube.

Dave

 

Hitachi HSC33's I got. OK, clear!