Options for better carb float drains?

[nezzer]

My 1980 XS1100 special Mikuni carbs use a bolt and washer in the float drain hole. After all these years of ownership, I have proven time and time again that I am too lazy to properly drain the carbs for winter. I think part of the problem is these bolts. My xs650 has a screw on the side that you back out and the float drains. That makes it easier, easier still because there are just two carbs rather than 4 like the 1100.

Has anyone modified their carbs to make draining easier? The drain bolt is 8mm x 1.0 thread pitch. I am considering getting some brass 8mm 90 degree elbows, then running a hose out to the side where I would have an easy to reach valve. I know space is limited under the carbs though. But maybe someone has done it. As I sit here cleaning my carbs again I think there must be a better way.

Thanks.

[Radioguylogs]

I used to drain my carbs for the winter when I had 1 or 2 bikes.

I stopped doing it when I had several bikes.

I had to rebuild the carbs on the first couple of bikes after about 4 years.

Since I stopped draining the bowls, I haven't had to do anything yet after after another 6 years. Geez I hope it continues because I have a lot of carbs.

I wonder if draining the bowls is beneficial. It might be possible that keeping the bowls full of fuel reduces the condensation and keeps the gaskets and seals pliable?.

Thoughts?

[nezzer]

My kids have a go-kart which I put the absolute minimum maintenance into. One year I shut the petcock but didn't drain the carb. In the spring the carb was clogged and had to be cleaned. The next year I left the petcock on but still didn't drain the bowl of fuel. In the spring it started without needing carb service. I do think there is something to leaving the fuel on so any fuel that evaporates can be replaced by more fuel.

Despite messing with the float level multiple times my 1100 carbs will on occasion overflow into the air filter box. I have trained myself to always manually shut off the petcocks (mine no longer require vacuum).

[jetmechmarty]

My xs650 has a screw on the side that you back out and the float drains. That makes it easier, easier still because there are just two carbs rather than 4 like the 1100.

Has anyone modified their carbs to make draining easier? The drain bolt is 8mm x 1.0 thread pitch. I am considering getting some brass 8mm 90 degree elbows, then running a hose out to the side where I would have an easy to reach valve. I know space is limited under the carbs though. But maybe someone has done it. As I sit here cleaning my carbs again I think there must be a better way.

Thanks.

Why not source some float bowls from a 1981 or later bike? Then, it will drain exactly as your XS650. The 1981 XS1100 had those float bowls and I believe the XJ1100 did too. There may be others.
I'm making the assumption that the 1981 XS1100 bowls are two lefthand drains and two righthand drains. At least, that's how I remember it.

[Schming]

I never drain my bowls unless I'm pulling the carbs. I do add seafoam, upon long periods of storage, to the whole fuel system. I also put a glug of 2 cycle oil along with the seafoam and run the bike a few miles before putting Her to bed for the off season,

nezzer
My thoughts on the ells and tubes full of petro above a hot engine for your drains . . . well in a word . . . nah.
JAT if you store your bike on the side stand floats have a better chance of not getting proper directional pressure to seat the needle. Every time I rebuild carbs I polish all the brass and especially the seats the float needles reside in with good results.

marty
You are correct about the 2 left & 2 right carb drains

[jetmechmarty]

My bike runs on E0. I try to keep it full when parked. That’s it. It stays on the center stand full of E0. I do add MMO when I remember. I think I have 110,000 miles. It runs like new. 37 mpg.