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$8 Float Height Gauge

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  • $8 Float Height Gauge

    Just thought I would pass this along as it seems everyone fights with their floats at one time or another. You could spend $44 bucks for a float level gauge, however, you may find that you already have one. A carpenters combination square and a plastic metric ruler work great for the job. I don't have a picture, but here's a link to Ace Hardware's offering so you can see what I'm yammering about - Combination Square

    First things first. Make sure the floats are clean. I'm probably a little anal about this, but I make sure there is no foreign matter on the floats that could affect their boyancy. With the floats removed, take a pipe cleaner - preferrably the kind with the little wires - and run it several times through the hole in the back of the floats that the retaining pin goes through and reinstall them. My bike sat for a while and the carbs were pretty cruddy. There were varnish deposits inside those hole so the floats couldn't move as freely as they should.

    Just take your ruler and set the end of the square to your desired float height plus 1mm. Hold the end of the the square against the gasket surface (it just fits between the side of the edge of the gasket surface and the little raised bump that runs around that surface) such that the 'black' part is parallel to the gasket surface (hope that makes sense). When you are setting your float heights adjust them so you can just see a little light (about 1mms worth) between the top of the float and the 'black part' of the square - hense the 'plus 1mm' measurement. I don't like setting them with the gauge right on the float as the floats are so easy to move.

    Make sure BOTH floats in each bowl are checked and adjusted. One you will be able to adjust using the tab, the other one you can gently bend the arm it is attached to. They both need to be at the same height. The 'arms' on both sides need to be as straight as possible to begin with so the floats are in their proper orientation.

    Hopefully this is understandable. If Vivitar ever updates their drivers for Vista I'll post some pics.
    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

  • #2
    I use the dept gauge end of a digital caliper. Works great and is as accurate as anyone could want.
    Rob
    KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN

    1978 XS1100E Modified
    1978 XS500E
    1979 XS1100F Restored
    1980 XS1100 SG
    1981 Suzuki GS1100
    1983 Suzuki GS750S Katana
    1983 Honda CB900 Custom

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    • #3
      Rob - I never thought about my caliper, but I like that idea too.

      A note about the link I inserted above - it worked yesterday but today it doesn't go to the combination square. Develish clever, those guys at Ace Hardware
      I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

      '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

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      • #4
        i use a paper clip bent at the right height
        "a good man knows his limitations" dirty harry
        History
        85 Yamaha FJ 1100
        79 yamaha xs1100f
        03 honda cbr 600 f4
        91 yamaha fzr 600
        84 yamaha fj 1100
        82 yamaha seca 750
        87 yamaha fazer
        86 yamaha maxim x
        82 yamaha vision
        78 yamaha rd 400

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        • #5
          Originally posted by mason79
          i use a paper clip bent at the right height
          **************************************************
          Digital calipers to a bent paper clip. I love it!!!! Who ever said need is the mother of invention was right on!!!!

          We certainley run the gamet here, Flintstones to the Jetsons!!
          When a 10 isn't enough, get a 11. 80g Hardbagger

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          • #6
            "Harbor Fright." Two tools in one!

            $15.
            Carb float measuring tool and valve shim thickness-er.
            See 79XS11F's comment on carb usage.
            The other end, the actual caliper part... can be used as a caliper to measure all those valve shims where the numbering has rubbed off.
            Oh, three tools in one...
            Clutch plate thickness determinater... see if your plates are within spec.

            http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47256
            "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

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            • #7
              i use a paper clip bent at the right height
              As long as it's a metric paper clip!

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              • #8
                Those Harbor Freight ( Frate) calipers work pretty good. trbig gave me one for my b'day last year.

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                • #9
                  Well,

                  I'm a little bit of a computer geek, and I have lots of those 3.5" floppy disks laying around. I found that I could remove the metal sliding disk door cover off and use that, not the plastic case, and cut one edge/side off it, nice square edges, and cheap!
                  T.C.
                  T. C. Gresham
                  81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
                  79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
                  History shows again and again,
                  How nature points out the folly of men!

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                  • #10
                    That's mine

                    hey prometheus578, that is the exact same one I use. I like it because once I get the right height, I lock it down and it doesn't move. Now if only I could get my eyes to focus that close.

                    PS.
                    I found an online coupon and got it for $7.99
                    Bill

                    1980 XS 1100 Special
                    1979 650 Special - sold (Stupid Me!)

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                    • #11
                      Being cheap myself, frugal for some, making do by others, I save those plastic credit card offers I get in the mail and cut a gauge out of them. Do a couple at a time , they are cheap and by cutting a L shape, they turn into a go/no go gauge. I could use the out of date credit cards, but they are such good door openers that I have used when I accidentally lock myself outside without my keys. Also they double as ice scrappers in winter.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by boyat68
                        Also they double as ice scrappers in winter.
                        Well we now know that you don't live in Canada.
                        http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1241/1480921818_241eade448_s.jpg

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                        • #13
                          I use calipers and 2.00 x reading glasses. My float needles are not stock for the 11 so I had to make up my own height, but I actually wrote it down somewhere so I don't forget for next time.

                          BTW, happy 500th post olebiker.
                          Ernie
                          79XS1100SF (no longer naked, now a bagger)
                          (Improving with age, the bike that is)

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                          • #14
                            Thanks Ernie I never would have noticed.
                            http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1241/1480921818_241eade448_s.jpg

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                            • #15
                              I had to make up my own height, but I actually wrote it down somewhere so I don't forget for next time
                              The question is will you be able to remember where you wrote it down?
                              Tim Ripley - Gaithersburg, MD
                              1981 XS1100 Special "Spoiled Rotten" Just sold - currently bikeless!!
                              23mm float height
                              120 main jets
                              42.5 pilot jets
                              drilled stock airbox with K&N
                              Jardine 4 to 1 Exhaust
                              spade fusebox
                              1st and 2nd gear fix

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