How do floats become out of spec?

We emphasize the need to check the float levels in our carbs, but how do they become out of spec?

 

1: Previous owners.

2: The act of disassembling them to clean the float needles and seats.

3: If completely untouched, float needle tip wear, seat wear, float pivot on the pin wear, etc.

4: The replacement of any parts.

But usually, HUMAN INTERVENTION.

Unfortunately, they do need to be taken apart, cleaned, etc., with some regularity. Some of us are less gentle than others.

If you're careful, the adjustment required afterward is often minimal. Provided a ham-fisted PO didn't beat you to it.

You would be surprised (or maybe you've discovered for yourself) how little of an adjustment on the tang it takes to affect a major change in levels. Plus the way the damn things "float up" when presented with fuel is unique from float to float. And I thought Amals were bad. (Actually they're worse, but in different ways.)

 

Ok, so can I check my floats using the drains and clear tubes, and then if they need adjustment, take them off?

 

Sure. But you have to be sure the bike is level side to side; and prop up the front/lower the rear so the carbs themselves are level.

The factory book has this long involved process just to check the side-to-side level using a really long piece of tubing. Highly unnecessary. Just be sure the carbs are level side to side and front to back and have at it.

 

My guess would be the last person who had the bowls off was careless.

 

I made a stand to do mine. I started on the bike, but taking them on + off got old real quick. I took 2 pieces of plywood and made an upside down "T". Make sure that the vertical piece is high enough that you can access the underside of the carbs without taking them on and off. On the vertical piece, I took a jigsaw and cut holes to mount the side of the carbs that go to the engine block, to the board. Then i added leveling screws in the corners of the horizontal piece. Got a 4 foot piece of 1/4 ID vinyl hose and added a cut off switch at about 3 1/2 feet. Put the tank up on a shelf, and leveled my carbs on the rack, hooked up the fuel, set the tank to prime, and started wet-setting (turning the fuel on + off with the cut off switch). This allowed me to be able to check + pull the bowls on + off without disturbing the carbs. Took over an hour to do one on the bike, but I was able to do all 4 in under 1/2 hour on the rack i made with stuff laying around the garage.

EDIT: after you mount the carbs to the rack. Level it using the CARBS and not the RACK!

 

"Trick-out" a pair of Vice Grips.

Buy a Pin-Ball and weld it to the Adjustment Bolt on the Vice Grips.

You can Grab the Lower Rail with the Ball-added Vice Grips.
You can Grab the Ball in your Vice.
Leveling the work is a snap.

::: Tether the Rack. Screw a Hook into the Ceiling above the Vice. Tther the Rack with a Nylon Line,:::

http://www.gameshack.biz/shootthemoonball.asp

 

Rick - you NEVER cease to amaze me