broken pilot needle

[CWilliamson]

ugh...in the last week I've been going full bore on getting the '79 SF running. I've got the new tires on her, greased the bearings, got the aftermarket petcocks from parts-n-more on her (anyone want the old petcocks and octopus? fer sale cheap). Managed to get her idling again but dies when I try to crack the throttle. Off come the carbs, #4 has the pilot needle sticking out about 1/8" into the throat...yep broken...son of ...sigh...

Where can I get that itty bitty drill bit to clear it out? I don't work at a shop so it's not like the Snap On truck drives by my house. I tried pressing on it with a screwdriver to force it but it wouldn't budge...maybe I should try hammering it out with a punch? Can I run temporarily with it broken off in there? What will it do to the ridability? I have a spare needle so if I can get it out

This bike has been sitting there in my garage for the last 10 months and I desperately want to take it out for a Fathers Day shake down ride.

Any suggestions would be great

Clark

[mro]

Click here

http://www.xs11.com/tips/repair/repair39.shtml



mro

[CWilliamson]

Now why have I never noticed that tech tip before...I thought I had read and reread them all... :-/

Guess I can't be gentle with it eh? Maximum force?

[John]

Small drill

If you have a Sears nearby, or a Home Depot, or Lowes, then buy a "Pin Vice" and a #60 drill bit. You can drill it out by hand that way. You will need a strong light and a magnifying glass to see down into the pilot jet bore to make sure all is going well. I have used that method a couple of times. You will want to try poking it back through once you have drilled on it for a bit. The hand drilling may free up the stuck tip. If you are not careful, you can enlarge the pilot screw orifice, and you'll have to compensate for the larger orifice by adjusting the pilot screw in a partial turn.

[newmaac]

I have tried the "push pin" tech tip with moderate success.
I had a heck of a time keeping the point of the pin to stay on the point of the screw. With any pressure, it would just slide off.

I ended up changing the game plan a little.
I applied "a small amount" of heat directly to the area on the carb body.
Since the carb is aluminum and the broken screw is brass, they expand/contract at a different rate.
A small amount of heat from a micro torch and the pin easily pushed out.

Yes, I WAS more than a little nervous taking a torch to a bank of carbs. Can you say "Fire extinguisher?"

[CWilliamson]

Fixed it

Well, Tried the push pin and they just kept bending so I used a dental pick to ream a small hole in the needle and then took a 1/2" long brad and my channel lock pliers and tried that. Ping, out comes the needle.

Thanks for all the advise guys!

Clark