Bike finally running and on the road!

[manshack_one]

The tang is in the middle of the float. The part that actually presses against the float valve. It was bent too high and causing the valve to seal prematurely. And I double checked float height before putting them back on the bike. Since Halloween festivities soaked up my evening then maybe tomorrow at lunch I can tackle that exhaust and post a pic.

I know at the XSive rally next June at John's I think I'll be recommending a carb intro class for us newbies. I really need to see it once before it makes sense and other than pictures I haven't had anyone in person to point to it and walk me through. Wasn't someone going to make a video or something?

Do the intake carb boots have gaskets to seal them? I was wondering why you just couldn't unhook the airbox from that side of the carbs and then just unscrew the carb boots from the engine and pull the whole mess out instead of bending the boots all to heck and back wiggling those things out of there. I was thinking of pulling them again and slapping some black RTV on them just to seal anything up that might cause a high idle or vacuum leak.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Manshack,

Yeah, the instructional video was one of my "Dreams", but several folks talked about it, UncleSpot in Ca., etc., but haven't heard much since. I came to the realization that it will be a very big project, especially as the amount of knowledge that I acquire from this site is almost overwhelming, and was doubtful of being able to fit it all on one DVD!? I need to get started on working on the basket case I've got, and there will be a lot of material from that, but I want to do some stuff to GODZILLA also!

Now, as for your carbs, yes, that tang is what shuts the float valve, but it's position is what positions the float height, so that's what has some of us confused about you bending it without not drastically affecting your float height in the process?!

Are you checking your float height with the carbs upside down? They need to be resting on the float needle valve, cause it's their attaining the proper height when the fuel is rising in the bowls that controls the fuel height and shuts the fuel flow off at the proper level. So...wondering how are you adjusting the float height if you are NOT bending that tang??

The Intake boots started using gaskets with the XJ! There was a thread about it. The rubber on the engine side of the intake boots can harden, dry, crack, crumble. I scrubbed off the old rubber down to the metal base, and then used some Permatex #2, non hardening gasket sealer on mine several years ago. Yamabond would be another good one. Folks have not recommended using RTV around fuel, doesn't like it very much! Will do search and ADD the gasket thread IF I find it!
T.C.

A couple of good threads:
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ke+boot+gasket

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ke+boot+gasket

[John]

Gasket

You can use a thermostat housing gasket from a Ford 2.3 L Pinto/Mustang/Ranger engine to seal the carb boots to the engine. The bolt pattern has the proper offset, and very little trimming is needed.

[manshack_one]

I was reading that in the other thread John and that's a great idea. Thank god the Pinto ended up being useful after all!

I was wondering if you could remove the allen screws from the intake boots and pull the whole thing off at once while they're still attached to carbs? Anyone already tried it?

[manshack_one]

I took off early on friday thinking I'd get my tank back on and take the bike up to the shop that was working on it to show it off a little and take up the owners offer to sync the carbs. Well, good thing I called first because he never even stuttered and told me $65 bucks! I told him I'd try to get the bike in but didn't really mean it. I can buy the tool for less than that right?


On that note, anyone have a set they could lend me? I'll pay shipping both ways of course. As much as we fiddle with these bikes I'll eventually have to get my own but for now I just need to get the thing in decent shape so I can put some miles on it!