float height how to

am i missing the faq on that somewhere?

 

my bad, found it in my haynes manual. :roll:

 

This may help a bit, I used a piece of mechanice wire and bent it into a Z shape so that the leg on one side would have the exact length that my float is supposed to be at an\d the other side provided a handle to hang on to.

 

Here's some food for thought: When measuring and setting the fuel level with the carbs off the bike take into account what attitude the carbs sit at fore and aft when mounted on the bike with both wheels on the ground. In my case the bank of carbs on my 1981 XJ650 Maxim slope downward at about 6 degrees toward the engine. If you don't take this into account and you adjust the fuel level (floats) with the carbs level then the position of the fuel, and invariably the floats and needle valve will be incorrect when mounted back onto the bike. I built a fixture that holds the carbs in the same position as when they are on the bike then adjusted the floats accordingly. I measured the fuel level at the center of the bowl flange as looking at the carbs from the side. This improved my bikes performance.

 

Actually the service manual says to level the bike side to side and front to back so the 3mm spec does take the slope into account.

That said if your adjustment works don;t mess with it

 

Float Height
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... t+dry.html

 

Here is how I set my float levels, I do incline the carbs, as on the bike & I use gas.

 

What exactly does the float levels do for the bike?

 

I hate setting the levels. Its one of the most annoying thing of our carbs

 

X 4!!

 

Ensure that each carburetor maintains the proper amount of fuel in its float bowl to prevent starvation (too low) or flooding (too high.)

 

For motorcycle mechanics, setting float levels is simply part of the daily routine and there is really no mystery to it. I've always set float levels "dry" using a float level gauge without any problems. I have posted an attachment showing a photo of a Honda Universal Float Level Gauge that I've had in my tool box for almost forty years and it is adjustable to fit just about every carburetor out there. It is relatively inexpensive, and you can order one through any Honda Dealer (this is considered a Honda special tool). If you are going to work on your own motorcycle and subsequent machines as time goes on - consider adding one of these tools to your tool box. I consider mine to be an absolute necessity.