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Supporting floats at proper height for adjustments

  • Thread starter Thread starter mmain1
  • Start date Start date
M

mmain1

Guest
OK, so I'm a noob to motorcycles. I have disassembled my carbs and followed the directions in the GS450 carb rebuild pdf (Mr. Flaming Chainsaws). I am checking my float level and was surprised how far they were off, or else I would have just left them alone. Manual height says 22.4mm, but mine were something like 29mm. The problem that I have is that all the resources seem to agree the height is measured as the tang just touches the needle, not compressing the spring. Maybe this wouldn't be a problem with two people, but my wife isn't about to come help me set float heights.

So here is my solution. Hopefully this is helpful to someone else or I have just wasted my time setting up a photobucket account and typing this post!

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The springs should be strong enough to hold the floats up. I mean thats pretty ingenius if you wanna suspend them. The only time ive seen the floats compress the spring is when they were leaking and had gas in them making them real heavy.. I apologetically retract the first gutteral reaction that in posted too. You can shake the brass floats next to your ear and if theres gas in them youll hear it swishing around.
 
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i believe they can be measured with the floats full weight on the needle valve.
 
Ok, sounds like I need new needles then. I thought some amount of spring compression was normal since all the manuals I've seen specify the measurement is taken at the point of contact and not with the spring compressed.

I know my floats are in good shape. No fluid sounds, they are very light, and I suspended them under water for several hours and they did not sink.
 
I always hated those soldered brass floats. May not need new needles.Take each one and lightly press on the tab and see if they feel like they push back a bit. Are they nice and springy? One test i like for the brass floats is to sink them in a glass with another glass on top to hold them under water over night. Gives the atmospheric and water pressure time to get water in them if they are gonna leak. Then shake and listen for sloshing. Wonder if anyone knows if theres a replacement composite set that will swap them out. That for sure will remove any and all doubt..HMMM.
 
Yes, at the point the needle is just touched. You can support the float if the needle spring is too soft to hold up the float. Another argument could be made to replace the needles also.
 
@Nessism, is replacing the needle and seat optional if I were confident the only problem with them was the spring strength? I am the type of guy that would replace them just for good measure, except the best price I am finding for them is around $100 shipped. Seems a little steep for 2 needle/seat sets.

I don't think my floats are leaking. I did float them submerged for several hours, I could test them for longer if that is necessary.

I suppose all this conversation is moot, given that the correct test is the clear tube gauge once I get them re-assembled???
 
The conversation is pertenant cuz its about checking everything and being sure all the components are in working order. If all is good the clear tub is really just a visual confirmation. You can clean the seats with a Qtip and some laquer thinner to be sure any varnish is washed off..im sure they are fine.
 
You can also get the needle and seat combo for $8 from Parts n More.

They do have a $35 minimum order, but when you see what all they have, you will be glad you made the trip.

.
 
Steve said:
You can also get the needle and seat combo for $8 from Parts n More.

They do have a $35 minimum order, but when you see what all they have, you will be glad you made the trip.

.
Click to expand...

Steve,
I did visit PartsnMore. The link you posted appears to be for 1982-1984 and looks much different than my needle/seat. That would be great to find them for $8 though!
 
I have new needles in my 79 850 I just rebuilt, and the floats are fine, but the floats still depressed down on the needles some. So has I had done on the 450 I tilted the carbs a bit so the floats just contact the needles and adjusted from there. Seemed to work fine on the 450, not sure about 850 yet haven't finished yet. terrylee
 
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