carburetor floats

[hammerhead]

With the vast knowledge subscribed to this forum, does anybody know where to obtain new carb floats for 1980 XS1100 special?

I had an auto mechanic tell me the material the original float is made of will eventually absorb fuel, making it heavier and thus the fuel level in the float bowls is too high. This causes a rich condition. He said they quit using that porous material floats due to that reason.

Solutions range from adjusting the float to obtain the proper level, irregardless of the height adjustment (25mm), replace the floats, or live with it.

Seems like carburetor problems are varied and many on motorcycles.

Any of you XS'ives got any thoughts, solutions, sources, etc.?

Bob

[sidecarKev]

Part #20-6502 at

Mikes XS

You will be able to get all 4 for the price of one at the dealer.

[hammerhead]

Thank you for your reply, looks like that's the float and reasonable also.

Bob

[Ken Talbot]

I remember seeing floats made out cork that might have soaked up fuel and got heavy, but not in an XS. Yamaha used brass floats in the earlier models and plastic in the later. If a float has cracked, developed a pinhole, or come unsoldered, it will not float properly. You can tell if this has happened by removing the float and shaking it. If you hear something sloshing around inside, fix it or replace it. If not, just put it back in and adjust to what you need.

[hammerhead]

Ken:

From what I was told by an auto mechanic and the motorcycle mechanic that rebuilt my carbs, the material my floats are made of (can't recall the name of the material) absorb fuel over time. I will check them out as per your post.

Another question, what should the fuel level be in the float bowl ?

Thank you

Bob

[skids]

This verifies what I already know...You CAN run of fumes after you are out of gas! :-)

Originally posted by hammerhead
From what I was told by an auto mechanic and the motorcycle mechanic that rebuilt my carbs, the material my floats are made of (can't recall the name of the material) absorb fuel over time. I will check them out as per your post.

[John]

The float setting is 23-25 mm above the surface of the carb where the bowl gasket would be installed. Measure without the gasket inplace. Invert the carbs to do this adjustment, and look in the maintenance and repair tips sections of this site.

[hammerhead]

Thanks John for the float setting, the other question is if the float is heavier than specifications, this float setting would allow the float bowl fuel level to be too high.... so at what level should the fuel be in the float bowl. Such as how far from the gasket level?


Thanks
Bob

[prometheus578]

Another way to check carb floats for leaks: Get a pan of hot water. (I wouldn't make it boiling, though) Grab the float with some pliers and submerge it. The hot water heats up the air in the float. The air expands, and if there is a hole you shouild see the bubbles coming out.

[Czekus21]

Repairing a cracked float. How is this done properly? I suppose soldering would be in order. Would you solder a float kinda like sweating a water pipe ?

[sidecarKev]

I tried to repair my brass floats. Was more trouble than it was worth. When I heated up the float to solder the mounting bracket fell of. It was all downhill from there. Decided to just replace the brass ones with plastic ones fom MikesXS for $10 each which includes shipping.

[Czekus21]

Thanks for the tip on the float. The float in question is off of an XS650. I'm gonna try the solder thing but if that don't work Mike's XS is the place to go. Gotta try it. What have I got to loose ( except mabee a finger or two if it pops)