New float bowl valves. Couple questions?

[JTGS850GL]

I just picked up a set of new float bowl valves and seats for my 1982 GS850GLZ. I've found that the aftermarket valves and seats are a little different then the stock ones on the bike right now. It seems like they don't have the plastic screens that cover the seat inlet. The screens look like this:

Do I just leave them off when I install the new seats or do I transfer the screens from the stock seats to the new seats? If so then what would be the best way to do this?

Also, the rebuild tutorial doesn't show something that is currently on my carbs now. The float valve that was in the carbs had a metal retaining spring that attached around the neck of the float seat outlet and over the top of the needle valve. Looks like this:

Do I transfer that onto the new valve and seat assembly or leave it off? The current needle valves don't seem to be internally spring loaded, so I'm suspicious that they weren't stock either. Does this extra external spring act like the internal springs in the needle valve described in the rebuild tutorial?

Sorry if these seem like dumb questions but I really only want to do this once.

[Guest]

I can't see your pics at work (firewall), but I know what you're talking about...

If those little screen caps fit on the aftermarket seat inlet lip, then I would re-use them - they are basically "rock catchers" to keep particulate matter out of the bowls. They will work without the screens too.

That funky little retaining clip is to prevent the float valves from falling out of the seats - it also keeps them from getting jammed (stuck) into the seats as well by stopping the travel of the float tab.

It's funny, some carbs seem to have the clips, some don't - I generally re-use them if they were there when I opened the carbs. No worries if you leave them off, they'll still work fine...

[Guest]

The current needle valves don't seem to be internally spring loaded...

I would bet they are just stuck - most times they free up after a bath in the carb dip.

[Steve]

As mentioned, those screens are your secondary filters. The primary filter is in the petcock, these will basically just catch any bits of fuel hose that might flake off with age.

The springs on the needles are a bit "fiddly", and are not really necessary, but are nice to have.

.

[GSX1000E]

Yes those springs need to work. They are little shock absorbers for the floats. As motorcycles tend to bounce around, they are needed to cushion those needles.

[JTGS850GL]

OK, I'll check to see if I can free up the current spring in the needle valves. If not, then I'll pick up some more valves for the spare carb set. I'll reuse the retainers and screens if I can salvage them. Thanks for the help.

[growler]

when rebuilding the carbs on my 850 i just cleaned and reused the screens. they fit perfectly.