Float Level - Nice Tutorial On Float Level and it's Affects on Performance

[Guest]

Was researching the affects of float level and found this. Thought someone here might find it useful:

https://www.fix.com/blog/motorcycle-carburetor-float-height-adjustment/

[Nessism]

A few things I've learned are 1) measuring fuel level is more important that float height. Float height is just to get you close. This is particularly true if you are using old float seat/needle parts where the needle spring is weak. 2) new OEM float seats/needles are superior to all the aftermarket types. You can get them from Amazon for about $15/each and they are a good investment for guys that plan to keep their bikes long term and don't like problems.

[Darin Jordan]

new OEM float seats/needles are superior to all the aftermarket types.

I agree. I just replaced mine with Genuine Mikuni parts from JetsRUS. Were about twice the cost of what you quoted, but that's fine, as I don't always trust what I get on Amazon.

I do think that the K&S versions that were in there had already worn (about 6-years old and 15K miles). Springs felt weak and there was wear on the tips of the needles.

Measured height of the floats prior to this was found to be about 2mm higher than I had originally set them. Coupled with the fact that the gaskets had swelled and were rubbing against the floats on #3, and maybe #4, well...

Waiting for my new Carb Manifold clamps to arrive so I can get this all back together and see where we are. I'm hopeful that the sticking float, along with overly high fuel levels, would explain some of the richness I've been experiencing.

[Darin Jordan]

I am curious, however... If the factory specs call for a specific float height, and everyone is referred to the factory specs when rebuilding and setting up these carbs, why then, would the fuel level somehow not be correct?? Assuming proper floats, etc., obviously.

[Nessism]

Amazon has the real Mikuni parts. There was a thread here