Carbs - Setting Float Bowl Height (some questions)

[Texas]

float arms

Thanks guys, just glad I don't have to trash them.

[donimo]

It would be best for you to check the actual float level with the plastic tube from drain plug procedure as explained in the Suzuki manual for that particular carb.

anyone know what this means to help out a guy without a manual?

[Nessism]

anyone know what this means to help out a guy without a manual?

How can anyone own a 27 year old motorcycle and not have a manual?

You need to make a tool that has a threaded rod that screws in place of the floatbowl drain screw and a piece of clear tubing. Shouldn't be too hard to fabricate by drilling a screw.

[waterman]

Do you check fuel height with engine idling or can it be measured statically with carbs held in a vice? I have measured mine statically since I figured it would be a pain to install carbs, measure, adjust, reinstall, measure again, etc.

Nice post with pics, should be made sticky.

[Larry D]

anyone know what this means to help out a guy without a manual?

Read this...the search feature works wonders !!

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=116329&highlight=bowls

[donimo]

How can anyone own a 27 year old motorcycle and not have a manual?

You need to make a tool that has a threaded rod that screws in place of the floatbowl drain screw and a piece of clear tubing. Shouldn't be too hard to fabricate by drilling a screw.

Find me a factory manual for a 1983 GS400E, go on I dare you.

I have a haynes manual for a 1983 UK spec GSX400E, but it speaks not of said tool.

can you send me more info? like once I make this tool, what do I do with it? where do I measure from? how do I measure?

I have never done any of this before and my haynes book doesnt have this stuff...

I think I get it, but its always nice to have guidance from experienced people.

thanks!

[Mr. Brown]

Find me a factory manual for a 1983 GS400E, go on I dare you.

Will these work?
Found on Amazon.com

I would be utterly lost without my manual. And this site, of course.
-=T=-

[waterman]

can you send me more info? like once I make this tool, what do I do with it? where do I measure from? how do I measure?


thanks!

I used a piece of plastic tubing that I had attached to a plastic vacuum hose connector that I had in my toolbox. I screwed the plastic piece into drain hole on the bottom of carb bowl. I placed the tubing up alongside of the carb body and carefully measured the fuel level in relation to where the carb bowl attached to the carb body. This is the 4.5 to 5.5 mm number that Mr Ness has provided. The fuel level should be this much lower than the junction between the bowl and carb body. If it isn't, you will need to adjust float tang to bring it into spec.

When I measured mine, I used an extra bowl that I had around and attached the hose to it. Then I mounted my carbs in a vice at the same approximate angle as they are mounted on bike. From here, I use a small auxillary tank for gas and let it flow into carbs by way of fuel line. Worst part is draining carbs individually to change bowl from carb to carb. I hate the smell of gas, not that the taste is any better.

[Larry D]

The principle is that fluid will seek it's own level. So the level of what you see in the tube is the same level of the gas inside the carb bowl.

This method of leveling has been used for centuries and is a handy trick if you're trying to level something over a long distance.

[JTsGS650]

That fuel level gauge is also available from Suzuki for about 15 bucks.

part no. 09913-14511

[Steve]

anyone know what this means to help out a guy without a manual?

What ... you don't have a manual???

That's it. No more help until you get your manual.

[donimo]

Will these work?
Found on Amazon.com

I would be utterly lost without my manual. And this site, of course.
-=T=-

Nope, that is for early (70's) 4 valve gs400s and follows the 4v as it morphed into a 425/450.

I have an 8v GS400E only made for Canada, yay for me. I BELEIVE it is the same as the GSX400E sold in UK.Japan.Wurope, but have no way to confirm. Hell the local suzuki place doesnt even know about it, they reference 450 parts when I ask, which are wrong (they use an american parts lookup program).

I bought that book and returned it, some of it is applicable (some body electrical), but most is not (engine etc).

So if you can find me a book for a bike sold only in Canada from 1982-1986, you win the big prize!

Hell if you can find a FACTORY manual for a 1983 UK spec GSX400E I'll be impressed and eternally greatful

I have the UK spec haynes book, but it is missing a lot of pertinant info that the shop manual would have (part numbers etc)

[donimo]

What ... you don't have a manual???

That's it. No more help until you get your manual.

see above.

[donimo]

I used a piece of plastic tubing that I had attached to a plastic vacuum hose connector that I had in my toolbox. I screwed the plastic piece into drain hole on the bottom of carb bowl. I placed the tubing up alongside of the carb body and carefully measured the fuel level in relation to where the carb bowl attached to the carb body. This is the 4.5 to 5.5 mm number that Mr Ness has provided. The fuel level should be this much lower than the junction between the bowl and carb body. If it isn't, you will need to adjust float tang to bring it into spec.

When I measured mine, I used an extra bowl that I had around and attached the hose to it. Then I mounted my carbs in a vice at the same approximate angle as they are mounted on bike. From here, I use a small auxillary tank for gas and let it flow into carbs by way of fuel line. Worst part is draining carbs individually to change bowl from carb to carb. I hate the smell of gas, not that the taste is any better.

So if I wanted to do this with the carbs mounted, would sucking on the vacuum line be enough to refill the bowls?

[tkent02]

So if I wanted to do this with the carbs mounted, would sucking on the vacuum line be enough to refill the bowls?

Carbs need to be mounted to run the engine, no?