78 XS11 Float Height HELP.. Yes, I searched..

[Diskman01]

Ok.. Can someone PLEASE tell me how to measure the floats in my 78 11?

I have read SOOO many conflicting ways that I am ready to throw down for fuel injection (ha!).

I have the BLACK plastic floats (Are they supposed to be brass?).

I understand that I need to measure from the GASKET SURFACE with gasket removed to the TOP of the float.. I have seen 2 ways now..

I drew up a pic..

The way I *HAVE* been adjusting is to the TOP of the float marked with the RED ARROW.

Now, I have read that its the top of the ROUND part as marked with my GREEN arrow.

AND, that I need to start at 22MM since they are plastic?!?



I have lost count as to the times I have removed the carbs to adjust this. I can remove them in about 1 minute now (pods).

What is the CORRECT point to measure on the float please and is it REALLY 22MM for these??

[natemoen]

Green arrow, and 23mm.

Are your carbs early or late model carbs?

[bikerphil]

Start at 23MM with plastic floats and see how it runs.

[CaptonZap]

Ok.. Can someone PLEASE tell me how to measure the floats in my 78 11?

What is the CORRECT point to measure on the float please and is it REALLY 22MM for these??

Don' get to anal about it, the manuals give a float height that is plus or minus a millimeter, so get them all the same, and see if it is rich or lean, and adjust from there. CZ

[79XS11F]

Measure from the highest point on the actual float to the gasket surface of the carb body where the carb bowl would meet the carb body WITH THE GASKET REMOVED. The measurement should be to the specs in the manual for the carbs in question. Often times the carbs on a bike will not be true to that model. Digital calipers is the easiest way to do it. Make sure both floats are the same in each carb and each pair of floats are the same from carb to carb.
Rob

[natemoen]

The measurement should be to the specs in the manual for the carbs in question.

Actually it should be for the float being used. Plastic floats in early carbs still use the later spec of 23mm and brass float in late carbs would use the early spec of 25.7mm.

Brass floats use 25.7mm

Plastic floats use 23mm

[mikubuilder]

and make sure that BOTH float halves are at the same height....

[Diskman01]

Alrighty. The correct answer was...


Removing the float needle seats and needles and polishing the seats with a Q-TIP and toothpaste in a cordless drill.

Pretty sure my driveability issues have been related to the float needles not seating sometimes. THAT would explain my intermittent RICH/LEAN conditions. I don't think the gas flow was shutting off 100% at times. Telltale signs were yellow gas residue on the engine side of the carb outlets continuing underneath.

The seats polished up EXCELLENT with the q-tip and drill. They were pretty grungy before.

Test ride seems to have REALLY leaned out#2 and 3 finally. 1 and 4 will be addressed with the idle mixtures or maybe more float tweaking. Who knows.

[Aches n Pains]

I use a float gauge which gets everything close and level. Very easy to use and not very expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/CARBURETOR-FLO.../dp/B001PLDUVE

[Diskman01]

I used an old library card I had in a drawer. Measured out 26MM and went to town.


Got it running pretty well now! Need to do a final sync yet.