Carb re-assembly questions

[DrewGS]

Howdy forum!

After a full carb breakdown and cleaning, I'm ready to put the puzzle back together, but I had a couple newbie questions.

The carbs were really gunked up, and one of the needles pulled out of the float during disassembly, so I took everything apart. I don't think anything is broken, but I was hoping someone might be able to tell from the photo. It looks like the tan jet needle stopper just bumps into the tan spacer? (I know the spring is missing...I thought I was being super careful, but it looks like I managed to lose it somehow and will need to look for one...darn).




The impact screwdriver worked great for disassembly, but I thought I would swap out the diaphragm cover screws and float bowl screws with hex heads. I found some reasonable stainless screws from Grainger, but after looking at it I'm wondering if I should stick with the original screws for the float bowls. There isn't enough space to get a socket on there, and I will lose the ability to use the impact driver for these in the future. Maybe I am overthinking. Opinions?



Thanks!

[Eric]

If you want to replace the hardware, you might try socket heads. I just did this myself, easy peasy.

Ed has a tutorial and hardware list here:

https://thexscafedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/mikuni_bs-cv_carburetor_rebuild_tutorial.pdf

[rphillips]

For me allen heads have easier access on top or bottom. But just my opinion. Sorry can't help with spacers, been so long I've forgot.

[Big Block]

Allen heads are great. Faster too as once you do the initial loosen you can just spin the allen key between two fingers.

[zed1015]

Be very careful if replacing the original JIS screws with cap heads or hex bolts as they are very easy to over tighten and strip the threads in the carb body or distort the float bowl and diaphragm cap flanges.
They only need nipping up lightly with a split washer under the head to prevent them coming loose.
To find the correct order of assembly for the needle you should simply remove one from one of the other slides to confirm the components positions.

[Nessism]

I like phillips head screws. They look period correct and you won't have any problems into the future as long as you don't tighten the crap out of them.

Regarding the needle, first intall the clip, then put the metal washer under that, and the spring under that next. The plastic spacer/washer sits on TOP of the clip. Slide this entire assembly into the carb, pull down on the needle with one hand to compress the spring, and install the plastic retainer piece using needle nose pliers. It only fits one way. Last step is to install the Circlip.

[DrewGS]

Thanks, folks...all great info, and Ed - that is a huge help for assembly!

p.s. I went to a local shop on the other side of town today for the first time to pick up a couple of shims. It turns out they have a whole building full of old bikes and parts. You can bring what you want to buy inside like at an auto salvage yard. I found a set of carbs from a GS650 with one intact slide remaining and got a spring! I was damn careful getting that home