Float height

[xs11widowmaker]

I have an 81 xs11s
It seems like whatever I do it runs rich. It has a 4 into 1 jardine exhaust and pod filters. Right now im running 120 mains and I just put mike's coils on it.
If im runing 70 it runs great but when I slow down and ride under 3500 it loads up very quickly.
The carbs are off a midnight special. Maybe im setting the floats for a differant year. I have had the bike for 2 years but im at my wits end.
I would greatly appreiate any help anyone can give me. Thanks so much in advance

[tarzan]

The floats for that year should be 23mm

[xs11widowmaker]

Is the midnight carbs off an 81? and is the measurement with the gasket on?

[trbig]

Gasket off.


Tod

[xs11widowmaker]

im at 23 now. should i go to 24 or try smaller mains?

[xs11widowmaker]

im at 23 with the gasket on so i should be lean not rich.

[tarzan]

You have had it for two years right?
Did it run well before?What has changed?
You should be running lean with that header and stock jets as well as low float levels.
Are the pods new?Like are they emglo brand?

[xs11widowmaker]

its ben running rich since i got it. my pod filters are the cheaper ones but i did the instaltion with tubeing as not to restrict air flow. should i try 115 mains or even the 110's?
thanks for all the help

[tarzan]

You could try 110' or 115's.
I ran my last two specials with 110's straight across.
One had a supertrapp exhaust and the other had stock exhaust.They both ran well.The one with the supertrapp might have been a little lean,but it had over 50,000 miles on that combination and never burnt a valve or developed any problems from it.

[xs11widowmaker]

i think i will try 110's thanks for your help

[bikerphil]

Make sure your pilot jets are 42.5 or 45's and Mikuni brand. Off brand pilots have been known to run too rich in the lower RPM range. DAMHIK

[trbig]

The rpm range where you're having a problem has nothing to do with the main jets. I wouldn't messs with them. From @ 3200-3500 and up is your main jets. Below that, it's your pilot jets.

You have the neoprene floats, not the brass ones, correct?

Tod

[Crazcnuk]

Check to make sure the pilots are 42.5, drop the floats to 25mm, and check the needle and needle jet assy VERY carefully to make sure there is no wear on the needle and/or the holes in the needle jet (where the needles ride) are not even slightly oval.

A slight amount of wear on the needles will cause it to run rich in the low and mid range.

Also, make sure the needles are on the middle setting.

[trbig]

Did the 81 have adjustable needles?

Tod

[xs11widowmaker]

thanks for all your help. I just put 110's in it and now it starves for gas at higher speed but the plugs are still black. it does not have brass floats. the needles are not adjustable. i will look at the pilots tomarrow. I am really frustrated. I didnt check the plugs at high speed, i came thru town and rand it normal. Thanks so much for all the help