How far should I disassemble Float Assembly?

[81XS11LadyRider]

Hi guys,

This one may seem like a dumb question, but I am in the process of cleaning and rebuilding my carburetors and I have run in to many stripped and rusted fasteners; not to metion, I have stripped a few parts myself - brass pilot jets come to mind.

Well, anyway, I bought MikesXS.com's carb rebuild kit for the 80-84 mikuni 34 and it came with a float bowl gasket, float needle, float seat, and plug. Since I have gone this far, I wanted to replace the float assembly, but my kit didn't come with the screened filter (arrowed part). Can I take the screen off the old assembly? And, if so, what is the best way to remove it without causing any damage to it?

[dewibp]

The screen you are refering to just snaps on. On a 79 xs11 special, I just take a very thin bladed screwdriver and fit it under the plastic screen edge and pry against the brass shoulder of the other piece and "pop" it off.

[Parr8hed]

did just that with mine, let the screens sit in carb cleaner overnight, and blow them out with compressed air them install them on the new ones.

[CWilliamson]

Anyone know where I can get those little screens? #4 carb didn't have one on it and all 4 carbs had disintegrated rubber bits in them...kinda hate for those to gunkk up the works so to speak...

Also, can you really soak them in carb cleaner over night? I figured the plastic would melt (or am I thinking of parts dip and you're thinking of spray type cleaner?)

Clark

[Parr8hed]

I just soaked the screens, If I remember correctly the rubber came off of the screens before I soaked them.

[CWilliamson]

ahhh...didn't know they would come off (kind of afraid to do too much with 26 yr old plastic bits...).

[prometheus578]

I probably wouldn't use anything harsher than a spray can carb cleaner on the screens. If you need to soak them, fill the spraycan's plastic cap with cleaner and set them in that.

all 4 carbs had disintegrated rubber bits in them

Looks like it's time to replace the old fuel lines, too.

[Parr8hed]

yea prometheus you must have read my mind. That is exactly what I did. filled the spray can lid up with spray cleaner and let the screens soak overnight.

[skids]

If you are bent on using those screens again, don't soak them in anything. Gumout can render them useless because the ring will no longer keep them attached (my experience). These screens are really not a critical item. Heck, if they plug-up you are into the carbs anyway, and it requires disassembly of the floats from the infamous goal posts!!! =8-O

Originally posted by prometheus578
I probably wouldn't use anything harsher than a spray can carb cleaner on the screens. If you need to soak them, fill the spraycan's plastic cap with cleaner and set them in that.

Looks like it's time to replace the old fuel lines, too.

[81XS11LadyRider]

Thanks guys! I used a small flat head screwdriver and they popped right off. That was easy!! I wasn't sure if the screens would come off or if I would damage them by trying to re-use them.

[xs650mike]

Mike LaLonde (Mike's XS) advised me to toss those screens, they're problematic since if they clog you've got to pull the carbs to get to 'em. Install transparent inline filters and check your petcocks to make sure their screens haven't fallen off inside the tank. I did as Mike suggested and it was good. I haven't yet had occasion to go into the carbs on my XS11 (if it ain't broke don't fix it). On my 650s I have conical inline filters which give a nice visual check of the stuff coming out of the tank. To clean them you just remove the filter and hook it backward to the line coming from the petcock and turn the petcock on to prime for a second or two flushing it clean. Reinstall in the correct direction and your in business. Sure beats pulling the carbs!

[skids]

Some of the small conical-shaped filters that look like they have an airstone fillter will not keep up fuel rates at speed. Fram makes a metal housing inline as does autolight (I think that is the brand)...

Originally posted by xs650mike
(snip)Install transparent inline filters and check your petcocks to make sure their screens haven't fallen off inside the tank. (snip)

[Shuriken]

Looks like I better change out my plastic inline filters.

[81XS11LadyRider]

Hi XS650mike,

Are the inline filters installed on your XS11 the same as this picture taken from Mike's XS?

Originally posted by xs650mike
Install transparent inline filters and check your petcocks to make sure their screens haven't fallen off inside the tank. I did as Mike suggested and it was good. I haven't yet had occasion to go into the carbs on my XS11 (if it ain't broke don't fix it).

You're lucky you haven't had to go into the carbs. It has been a job and a half working on the carbs. Getting them off the bike wasn't too bad, but getting all of the rusty fasteners and components off has been an experience. Poor gas mileage, Carbon fouled spark plugs, and a disintegrated air filter are what drove me to cleaning and rebuilding the carburetors in the first place. So, if there are steps to be taken to avoid traveling this road again, I am definitely interested in following them.

QUOTE]Originally posted by xs650mike
I haven't yet had occasion to go into the carbs on my XS11 (if it ain't broke don't fix it). [/QUOTE]

[Shuriken]

But after about 25 times or so you can get 'em off in less than 15 minutes.

Did I say 25 times? .......

Well, I guess it adds up when you change one setting, test, remove carbs, change another setting....

Getting the carbs off and back on again is the easy part. Getting them perfectly adjusted is the hard part.

I've had my share of corroded/rusty parts. I've had to do things like hacksaw a slot in the screws, tap in a slotted screwdriver, latch onto the screwdriver with a wrench, and turn. I got a manual impact driver (use with a hammer) for some stubborn jobs. Other times I've hammered a bit from a screwdriver set into the screw heads and have put all of my 165lbs into the driver while turning.

Finally got tired of stuff like that and have used allen head screws in some places. Have to be careful though because you can overtorque the threads easily.

Try this for a tip: I installed flat head slotted screws on the carb tops, but they are also hexagonal, so I can actually fit an 8mm socket wrench over them while they are still on the bike. Off come the carb caps with ease.

In fact, I change the jet needle clip position and do diaphragm inspections without ever removing the carbs. The secret is in the style of screws.

Now if I can figure out a way to get the bowls off without yanking the carbs....

Wouldn't matter so much with new rubber carb manifolds, but it hammers the old beat up ones when the carbs are constantly on/off/on/off.

I'd still try FI if there was one kit with included instructions for the XS.

Ben