Tuning issue and fuel issue

@chacal out of curiosity, the set I got from you looks like aluminum washers... Are you saying the washers that come with the set don't work?

 

I think it's the thickness of the washer that was incorrect, not the material.

 

Yea, so what's the proper washer?

 

No, some of our sets come with aluminum washers, too........what I'm indicating is that the sets that come with approx. 1mm thick aluminum washers are the ones that don't work properly (last time we looked, which was quite a while ago).

There is no "proper" size washer, the washers are different thicknesses depending on whose kit you are purchasing. Some float valves work properly, some don't, changing the thickness of the washer (from what is supplied with the kit) won't make any difference!

 

I don't know what's up. All the fuel levels are under spec. It was running nice last night (and tuned too) then this morning the fuel filter was empty and my (new) oil smells like gas.

I'm thinking about leaving the carbs on my rack at the angle they are on the bike, and seeing if I can see anything...

 

I have to ask is petcock set to ON or PRI? Think 550xj asked if you disconnected fuel line and tested petcock...easy enough fuel should flow on PRI but not in ON with no vacuum. If fuel is flowing it will put pressure on needle and could be leaking around one . Only trying to help you resolve this.

 

The petcock is fine.

 

if the petcock is good the most that could have leaked into the carbs or carb is one fuel lines worth. then i think it would have to partially fill the yics passage (maybe) and it only takes a teaspoon of gas to smell up the oil, not enough to worry about.

 

The sightglass will tell you how much fuel got into the crankcase.

 

Yea, it's just a little bit, but I want to FIX this issue. Fuel levels are about -4 mm, which is 3 under spec.

I did mic the washers under the needle seats and they are .96mm. I think I'm going to put the old copper washers back on... Then put it on my carb stand at the angle on the bike and see if I can find anything.

Out of curiosity... Would adding some food coloring to the gas hurt anything?

 

did you do polishing or rubbing compound on the needles and seats
are there any nicks or scratches on the float tang that could catch on the needle

 

Needles and seats are brand new

 

that's why you should mate the needle and seat. there could be a tiny mark in there you would need a microscope to see but gas will find it

 

https://archive.org/details/0542_Down_the_Gasoline_Trail_06_12_55_14

 

@Polock how does one mate the needle and seat? Should I take them on a date first, or just get down to business?

 

Booze and cigarettes are a tried-and-true method........

 

take the seat out, get a little of your polishing or rubbing compound in where the needle goes, put the needle in and push lightly and spin a lot is better than push hard and spin a few times.
after a short minute clean it up and you should see what you did and it should seal nice and tight. do it all over if you think it needs it, or just to see it get better.
those needles and seats should be considered a set now and kept together.
if you still have the rubber tip needles (me) just do the seat with a q-tip.