What part is this and what's it for?

[Nick]

Sorry but i didnt think to take a pic at the time but anyway, it's in the carb bowl. The long needle type thing to the front corner section. Once i can find out what this thing is i need to find out how to remove it and replace it because... well it's broken. Nothing left but a little stub in my left carb.

[Steve]

I have never had to remove one, but I suppose it's possible.

What it is, is the pickup tube for your enrichening system (choke).

Without it, that carb will not 'choke' along with the other(s).

.

[psyguy]

the enrichment circuit tube is in the main body if memory serves me
the only thing in the bowl that i can think of is a "stud" that holds up the pilot jet plug
a pic would help, i'm guessing here

[Nick]

I knew it had something to do with the choke but I wanted to be sure. I just did a run through with the carbs replacing parts, cleaning and such and it still wont start! It ran when it was working on only 1 carb but now that both carbs are up to pretty darn good specs the bike wont start, just cranks and cranks then floods out. I've tried ether to give it a little jump start as well but that was a no go, just backfired alot while cranking. It doesnt backfire anymore though.

[lecroy]

Could also be the drain tube. My Mikuni's use this as an overflow. I have made my own but the tube diameter is metric. Special order. The english size is close enough that a little 600 paper will take it down enough.

Never seen one break before.

[Steve]

Looks like we're attacking this from two different directions, so let's get some more information:

Is this tube normally attached to the carb body and sticks down into the bowl

or

is this tube attached to the bowl and sticks up about half-way to the level of the rim?

If it is attached to the carb body, it's the enrichener. Your bike will be hard to start without it.
If it is attached to the float bowl, it's the overflow tube. If it's shorter, it will drain the bowl to a level that is too low.

.

[chef1366]

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the brass choke jet.
I've tried to remove them before but they are pressed into the body.
What year, model and # of broken choke tube.
I might have an extra body.

Edit: Never mind. 81 450. I don't have that carb.