Trying to get my 80G back on the road after sitting for 3+years. removed the carbs and cleaned them. I noticed that the floats were not set at the recommended height per the XS manual and Clymers. Since the needle valves were stuck, I was getting fuel in the air box. I could not adjust the floats anywhere near the manual's 24.7~26.7 mm (0.972~1.051 in.) and determined that they were aftermarket types different from the round type shown in the manual.
When I bought the bike, the seller had details that $1600 worth of repair was done on the bike by the local Yamaha dealer. He was selling the bike because it had an electrical problem, and he had bought a new starcruiser. I got the bike for $1100 and rode it for about two years. I noticed that the bike leaked a little fuel from the petcocks and every once in a while had fuel in the airbox.
When I reassembled the carbs I noticed that the float height would leave the needle valves a slight bit open and reasoned that the problem was caused by the mechanic not adjusting the height properly. I readjusted the floats so that all were equal and the sides of the float just barely not touching the sides of the top chamber when fully closed. I put them back on the bike and it would fire and run for about 3 seconds. Uh-Uh, I now realized that the mechanic probably left the floats so that the needle valves were slightly open all the time and counted on the vacuum position of the petcock to keep the bowl from overflowing.
I now have a problem. I took the carbs off of the bike a second time and adjusted the float height so that the floats just touch the sides of the upper chamber. That is as far as I can go. I reassembled and put them back on the bike. Now the bike will start for about 5 seconds.
The floats look just like the picture on this site recommending after market floats from mikesxs.com, however I can order new floats from another site for about $26.00 apiece that say they are factory replacement parts, but will they be the same as I have now? Is there some method I am overlooking that can be used to adjust the after market floats I have now? It is hot and my relationship with this bike is getting cold after two times off of the bike for the carbs. Appreciate any suggestions.
When I bought the bike, the seller had details that $1600 worth of repair was done on the bike by the local Yamaha dealer. He was selling the bike because it had an electrical problem, and he had bought a new starcruiser. I got the bike for $1100 and rode it for about two years. I noticed that the bike leaked a little fuel from the petcocks and every once in a while had fuel in the airbox.
When I reassembled the carbs I noticed that the float height would leave the needle valves a slight bit open and reasoned that the problem was caused by the mechanic not adjusting the height properly. I readjusted the floats so that all were equal and the sides of the float just barely not touching the sides of the top chamber when fully closed. I put them back on the bike and it would fire and run for about 3 seconds. Uh-Uh, I now realized that the mechanic probably left the floats so that the needle valves were slightly open all the time and counted on the vacuum position of the petcock to keep the bowl from overflowing.
I now have a problem. I took the carbs off of the bike a second time and adjusted the float height so that the floats just touch the sides of the upper chamber. That is as far as I can go. I reassembled and put them back on the bike. Now the bike will start for about 5 seconds.
The floats look just like the picture on this site recommending after market floats from mikesxs.com, however I can order new floats from another site for about $26.00 apiece that say they are factory replacement parts, but will they be the same as I have now? Is there some method I am overlooking that can be used to adjust the after market floats I have now? It is hot and my relationship with this bike is getting cold after two times off of the bike for the carbs. Appreciate any suggestions.
Comment