Jets r us ?

[mack]

Well I ordered three kit's to see what what would be in them before I ordered all 32. I ordered for an E,F & H models and just got them today. I'm not happy at all. Not one mikuni item in any of the kits. Everything is K&L. WTF

[natemoen]

Jets r us is recommended for individual jets. As far as I have ever seen all kits are k & l jets.

[Radioguylogs]

...and when buying individual jets from Jet-R-Us,, you have choice between generic and genuine Mikuni jets.

[jetmechmarty]

I don't believe Mikuni offers a kit. I don't believe any have been assembled for sale. I never saw them in Sudco's catalog when I looked. I am suspicious that they would be cost prohibitive. Most of us messing with old bikes are...

[motoman]

As far as the later model carbs, Float needle kits from Mikuni look to come with screen,seat/o-ring, and float needle.......and should for the some $50 apeice. Locally, I opted for the K&L float needles only option as they don't appear to be sold seperately from Mikuni. Bad choice chasin' fuel levels. Static settings all identical, with running fuel levels all over the board across four bowls:rolleyes. Looks like the 'cheap' route doesn't cut it in this case, and bikes smooth running(or lack of) reflects that.

[BA80]

...and when buying individual jets from Jet-R-Us,, you have choice between generic and genuine Mikuni jets.

Yup, choose the genuine article......

As far as the later model carbs, Float needle kits from Mikuni look to come with screen,seat/o-ring, and float needle.......and should for the some $50 apeice. Locally, I opted for the K&L float needles only option as they don't appear to be sold seperately from Mikuni. Bad choice chasin' fuel levels. Static settings all identical, with running fuel levels all over the board across four bowls:rolleyes. Looks like the 'cheap' route doesn't cut it in this case, and bikes smooth running(or lack of) reflects that.

Never really had an issue with K&L float valve sets. In that case there really isn't as much problem with the part as there is in how it's installed.

[TopCatGr58]

Well,

I have also used the MikesXS viton tipped float needles, and haven't had any problems with them. The only problem I had was when I had a broken float post! And I think the previous ones I had were the PNM ones, and they worked for like 8 years...not bad with E-10 fuel!

Now, perhaps the solid brass ones may be different ? Like the spring tension being different than Mikuni???

T.C.

[mack]

K&l

I've been doing some work on carbs and I have found that the inlet hole on the K&L fuel seats are smaller than that of the mikuni's and as motoman stated, the spring tensions ARE all over the place. I have a set of E carbs here with four brand new K&L kits in them and all four carbs are leaking and no matter how high I set the floats, they will not stop leaking. I've gone from 23mm all the way to 32mm and they will not shut off. I don't have a set of fine drill bits here to check, but I'd be interested to see if the jet orifices are smaller as well. The reason being that I shot a video of running fuel levels with K&L and I'm curious as to whether the rate of drop would be the same. IE did K&L factor in smaller jet hole sizes to offset the smaller fuel valve inlet holes?

[BA80]

I've been doing some work on carbs and I have found that the inlet hole on the K&L fuel seats are smaller than that of the mikuni's and as motoman stated, the spring tensions ARE all over the place. I have a set of E carbs here with four brand new K&L kits in them and all four carbs are leaking and no matter how high I set the floats, they will not stop leaking. I've gone from 23mm all the way to 32mm and they will not shut off. I don't have a set of fine drill bits here to check, but I'd be interested to see if the jet orifices are smaller as well. The reason being that I shot a video of running fuel levels with K&L and I'm curious as to whether the rate of drop would be the same. IE did K&L factor in smaller jet hole sizes to offset the smaller fuel valve inlet holes?

I don't know why everyone is so concerned about float valve inlet sizes and needle spring tension variation. If the inlet is large enough to allow fuel to freely enter the bowl size really doesn't matter. Have you measured the flow rate through the screens that go over them? I bet it's less than the inlet will allow.

And, the springs in the needles. Do any of you know WHY there are springs in there? FYI, they are there to keep the float valve from falling open from road or engine vibration causing float "bounce" and over filling the bowl. They actually have nothing to do with adjustment. This is the only reason I can see for checking levels with the engine running but since a properly tuned engine runs pretty damn smooth and the carbs are mounted in rubber the levels really won't vary much. That and the springs keep the floats from beating the hell out of the needle tips and seats over rough roads and such.

Mack, if you are having trouble getting yours to seal you have 1) a bad valve, 2) improper adjustment, 3) leaky floats ( had a leaky brass float that would work great when I first installed the carbs but would fill and cause flooding after an hour or so. Drove me nuts until I figured it out), 4) gas is leaking in somewhere else somehow. ( the composite gaskets between the body and seat can crack if over tightened and leak. BTDT).

[bikerphil]

I have been using K+L replacement fuel needles for years with no problems/leaks whatsoever. I do use a non OEM vacuum fuel shutoff valve though, just my 2¢.

[mack]

Levels

This photo is a representation of the running fuel levels at static(measure at the top of the spring tension) next down is at idle, next is at 3K, 5.5K and last one down is at 8.5 k. I have a video of the process but am having trouble uploading. But this picture is actually better because you can see the levels in relation to the towers.

These were done with K&L kits installed. As stated previously, I'm wondering if the larger mikuni inlet and jet openings would result in a deeper draw, but quicker recovery at the given RPM ranges. As many have stated K&L's will operate with in a safe zone and provide adequate function. Is it the best performance possible? I suspect not but I'm working on the comparison.
Greg, my observations about the nebulus spring tensions is in relation to the testing procedure. I'm trying to make all start points in the levels identical and to do that I'm setting the levels with hoses, but as you know the initial float height measurement is done with the float in light contact with the plunger tip. Different spring tensions cause different height measurements, hence the hoses, but I'm alarmed at the initial fuel levels are so different when I first attach the hoses and check.
The leaky carbs I recieved from someone else and I'm not sure if the needles and seats are mismatched. The floats are new plastic but I also tried them with brass and they still leak. I suspect a mismatch but I'm waiting on mikuni parts and will redo the carbs and see what happens.

[BA80]

As I stated, the springs have NOTHING to do with float adjustment. Ignore the springs and set the floats with the carbs inverted.

I know what "the manual" says but it also says to set the swing arm bolts at 47ft lbs.

The needles wont seal completely until the spring pressure is overcome.

Just give it a shot.

[mack]

Manuals

LOL, yes there are errors in the recommended reading material isn't there.