sticky float

[bcknblkbird]

pulled my carbs to attend to this problem and noticed that the hole in the float where the pin goes was not completly round. so after a little work on the pin pushing it in and out several times it freed up somewhat. while i was at it fixed a leaky petcock, new fuel lines, fuel filters. then i put about a gallon and a half of gas in it fired it up. alls ok. then this evening went to check my handywork turned the petcock on and no gas i mean tank empty. right side line had fuel in it, left side did'nt. so i done the paper towel test on the oil with my lighter and no flame. was thinking about new floats. put in rubber tip valves three years ago. any thoughts? thanks.

[natemoen]

That gas went somewhere and most likely into the oil. It takes a lot of gas in the oil before it lights easily. I did test it out awhile back but don't remember the actual amounts, but It was a lot of gas in the oil before it lit up.

When in doubt drain it out. Oil is cheaper than engines.

[bcknblkbird]

just ordered new plastic floats from mikes xs. dont like the oval pin holes in the old ones.

[natemoen]

If you had brass floats in there before you would have used the 25.7mm float height but with the plastic you will have to use the later carb float height of 23mm.

[bcknblkbird]

hey thanks man!

[ViperRon]

You may want to check the float needle seats with a magnifying glass while you have carbs out. I know that varnish can build up and prevent a good seat of the float needle. Gas was gas years ago but this stuff today I am not sure what some of it is because every now and then I have gotten a can that after a couple of months is no good even for lawn mowers. Commonly it is the float that hangs but it can be the needle not seating well also. Another thing that can cause problems with worn carb floats and needles is if the bike is idled for long periods on the side stand as the constant vibration while shifted to one side can cause the needles or foats to stick open when you turn it off. Its near impossible to identify that sidestand idling is causing a problem because as soon as the bike is leveled and started or the carbs removed to check the condition is resolved. I keep my bike on the center stand if I am running it stationary.

[trbig]

You can pull those float needles and look at them. If they've got a round ring worn around where they seat, it's a good idea to replace them now while you've got it all apart. They're cheap... Cheaper than an oil/filter change anyway, and definately cheaper than new bearings in your motor because of fuel leaks. Until you're sure it's not leaking, park the front tire on something like a 2x4 or such to slightly elevate the front end so the gas flows out the back of the carbs in case of a leak.

Also, before installing your carbs, you can get some extra fuel line to reach the carbs on one side of the bike to both petcocks. (Or "Y" a single line.. you just need an elevated fuel source to both carb fuel lines.) Set the tank on and hook up the fuel line to the carbs. Turn the fuel on and sit and watch to see if they leak. That way you catch it before putting them on the bike.