Need new floats

[raqumup]

79 XS1100SF My bike just started leaking fuel even while running. i took the bottom of the intake box off and fuel was just gushing out of #3 carb. i pulled the carbs and found one float mount broken and the float full of fuel. i am JB welding the float mount right now, but i was wondering what other people have done in this situation as far as replacing the floats. do i go stock $80 for 4, or aftermarket if anyone knows of somone who makes them?

[Ken Talbot]

You can probably get by with the JBweld repair for the broken post. Some folks have had reasonable success with running just a single post to hold a float.

You might consider trying to repair the sunken float. Try a couple of small drilled holes and a bit of low pressure air to get the gas out. A plunge into some hot water might also help evacuate the float, but remove it from the water before it cools and the vacuum draws in water. Then, try soldering to fix a hole in a brass float, or melting with a broad tip on an electric soldering gun to melt over a hole in a plastic float. The hot water plunge trick will tell you if you've got the leak sealed.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Troy,

MikesXS has newer plastic floats that will work, but you may need to replace all 4 like you said due to difficulty verifying fuel/float level with plastic vs. the brass ones!

Plastic Carb Float
Plastic Carb Float - Fits: 1980-84 XS650 Stock 34mm. Mikuni CV Carbs.
Also replaces Brass float used on early 1980 650 "Specials".
OEM Ref.# 3H5-14985-00


Part #20-6502 $12.00 USD EA.

Mikes shows brass floats, but they are different than the XS11, but it has been reported by XSives they have successfully used the newer plastic floats in their carbs!

$48.00 is cheaper than $80, and FREE SHIPPING!
T.C.