Something I learned today. (needle and seat recondition)

[Mekanix]

I was at a local shop searching for a new needle and seat set when one of the mechanics gave me a bit of advice

Using a Q-tip and high speed drill and some Autosol (German metal polish)

Polish the needle point and the needle seat.

I just tried it to a set that I know leak like mad and it cleans them up nicely.

I've yet to try them in a carb with fuel.


(I unknowingly ran fine grit from sandblasted gas tank through it )


Has anyone ever done this successfully ?

Thanks

[chuck hahn]

polished the seat and needle..no. Ran sandbalster crap thru a tank..Yes.

[chuck hahn]

What about not realising the periscope looking filter on the petcock had been dislodged and you cant figure out where all this tiny crap is getting into the fuel system from?? Thats one of mine.

[Mekanix]

Ouch, try this one,

With the filter on and seated, particles were small enough to make it through that and the mesh on the needle seat.

Bike worked great for all of 30 seconds the first time and then it flooded.

After taking the needle and seat out 10 times in a row I thought I had all the grit out.

One day I went on a 250 mile trip and guess what happens again while riding.

So I was stuck on the side of the highway. I took both carb bowls off and needle and seats,

Ran some gas through it and reassembled and finished the trip.

I've since replaced the needle and seats and it hasn't happened again, but I'm anxious to try the ones I just polished.

[chuck hahn]

it sounds like great trick.

[Detroit Diesel Man]

In 09 when I went through my 750 top to bottom I reused the needle and seats..the seats were really bad..you could actually see the wear on them..I chucked the seats in the lathe and used and end mill in the tool holder to flatten and shrpen them up again..worked great..problem is my needles have a slight wear ring on them..so this year am looking to replace them with Mikuni stuff..(K&L is junk) Great tip tho..thanks for sharing.


DDM