Float height '81

[petejw]

was wondering if someone could tell me what
height they set the floats on an 81 model special,
without having to use the clear tube method,
ive done a search and could only find height adj
for the earlier models.

thanx in advance

pete

[81xsproject]

23mm from body surface where gasket WOULD be, to flat spot on the floats.

[petejw]

That was fast. :-)

cheers.

[TopCatGr58]

And correct, too. Wouldn't Xpect anything less from a newly crowned XS-XJ GURU!
T.C.

[petejw]

set the floats to 23mm
that was way to rich for the bike,
but started beautifully when cold. :-)
I then put the floats to 24mm, bit better
but still 2 rich, but in saying that, it got rid of the stumble
between idle and 3000rpm that i had, mid range was pretty flat
as well.
Tonight i put the floats to 25mm. much better, with good
increase of power thru the mid range and still no stumbling
between idle and 3000rpm,
i still may try 26mm, the plugs still look a little rich, but havent had a good chance 4 a good run since the changes.

Is anyone aware if the usa models are different to the
aussie models.

[goldcoastguy001]

I have found heaps of specs in the carbs are different for the aussie release..... My original carbs (i have changed to a complete diff set since then) I set the floats at 26mm but soon found a book from a guy in Sydney on them with specs that showed the Main jet was a size smaller then the us book i have???? go figure that one?? same engine i thought...but seems the aussie release has a few changes in the frame cussets too, so it would pass the compliance here, found it was better to just go down a size in the main jet and leave the floats at the right hieght......no stumbling no richness and good off the line response... but if you have probs i have found the carb set from the 900 diversion here runs like a rocket and gets a reasonable 38mpg, PM if you like i am a frequent flyer to Sydney. or leave your number and i'll call you. I have just finished going thru the carb drama with my 82XS110R

[petejw]

thanx goldcoast ill send u a pm

[81xsproject]

what jets, intake, exhaust, and number of pilot screw turns are you running at?

[petejw]

im running 115 mains
42.5 pilots with the small holes in the side of them
mixture screws 2 turns out
needle position in the middle
4 into 1 exhaust
pod filters

with the floats set at 23 the plugs were running that
rich they were fouling.

thanx all 4 the help

[81xsproject]

I don't beleive that any of the '80 bikes had adjustable needles. You may have '70 carbs on there. Brass or plastic floats? Rubber tipped or solid needle valves?

[goldcoastguy001]

My 82xs 1100R had the black plastic floats and adjustable needles too, and it had 115 mains too
I think the carbs that came on them here may have been slightly different to those in the us. I just found that alot of the tech tips stated differences when i first got my xs....maybe it was something to do with emission standards here in Aussie. When i put the bike to standard RE: tech tips and let me say the tips were bang on with the book too...i found it run sooo rich it fouled plugs in a matter of a couple of Kms. the Aussie book i have found for this stated smaller main jets ??? I had nothing to lose so i installed a set of 110's float to 24mm and she purr'ed like a kitten.....I think Hired_Goon has had the same richness prob on his bike and he is also in aussie...

[goldcoastguy001]

If you would like a set of 110's to try i have a set you can use....(actually i have a complete set of carbs that was running fine....I have now got the 900 Diversion carbs on it now so i wont be changing back at all...) but the jets would be easier to post to you try first if you like...

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Pete,

Like 81XSproject stated, you probably have some earlier style carbs on there...IF you have the adjustable vacuum slide needles. Do you have 2 sets of "T's" on the carbs, lower ones for fuel, upper ones for bowl vents? Also, how many ports/holes are on the Inlet Bell, 3 or 4? If 2 sets of T's and 3 holes, then you have the earlier carbs, and they use a higher float setting of 25.7mm, so having them at 23 would make yours rich!

However, I'm curious that you are only running 115 mains IF these are the earlier model carbs, cause they usually use 137.5 at least. Another problem again IF you are running the earlier carbs is that you may NOT have the pilot tower caps in place, so that it's drawing too much fuel thru the pilot circuit, instead of thru the port between the pilot and the main jet tower.

Sorry, but your adjustable slide needle is what has US confused IF it's an 81 model bike!?!?
T.C.

[petejw]

Thanx guys 4 all the replys,
im sure they're standard carbs with the bike,
it had originally 110 mains thru out,
40 pilot jets, no tower caps for the pilots, black plastic floats, rubber tipped needles,
i changed the mains and pilots cause of the pod filters
i put in, there are no vent tubes and there are 4 holes in the back of the carbs.
i could go back to standard specs and try from there,
wat do u guys think?
its pulling hard from 5000 onwards,
pulls ok with half throttle below 5000,
but tends to bog down a little at wot.
its also tending to surge at part throttle high revs,


ive been reading the link 4 tuning cv carbs,
i guess its a lot of trial and error.

goldcoastguy, ive still got the 110 that were originally with the
bike thanx anyway.
were u running standard air box or pods

[goldcoastguy001]

Im running standard airbox with K&N low restriction filter and a set of cartel 4-2 pipes, flow-master mufflers with adjustable bafflers set to minimum back pressure....I will be exprimenting with two hyper chargers shortly so may have to go thru all the tuning again, but i have recorded all the settings i have done to get it right with what it has now just in case...my original carbs had same jets etc that you mentioned and same desrciption of needles and hole etc...TC do you know if the aussie release has anything diff about the carbs that dont match the US version? seems that for both petes xs and mine in two different states happen to have the same carbs i would assume they are both stock and original with these carbs?...what do you think.?