Measuring float level correctly question.

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salukispeed
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Measuring float level correctly question.

#1

Post by salukispeed »

I have been doing carb cleaning and rebuilding since I was a kid ( Long time ago ) and lately I am really questioning my ability and theory's that have worked well in the past. I have been fighting with driveability slightly rich, issues on the last couple carb rebuilds and am hoping some of the carb gurus can shed light on my mistakes. I have the Honda factory float level gage with the two legs and a movable measurement foot and have been carefully measuring to the plastic seam on the float and not the body of the float. I check both floats to be sure they are equal. I use OE parts when ever possible. The foam floats do not have this weld seam and on the old brass floats the solder seam is small. but the plastic floats sometimes have over a millimeter of flashing/seam. The manuals do not seem to address this well. Is the proper measurement from the bowl mount flange surface ( no gasket on ) to the float seam or to the larger body of the float correct. This seems to be more critical with the carbs that are mounted on odd angles like my 84 wing and my latest bike a 600 shadow. I did not find this in my search this morning. Help appreciated.
Thanks
Honda 72 CL100 sold
74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
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RB
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#2

Post by RB »

have you taken the floats off and made sure they are flat and level to each other and the "ground"?? is the tang flat and straight not curved up from earlier PO's adjusting them?? good info here for a 1000 but still good general

http://www.randakksblog.com/floats-101/
98 1500 SE..
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97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
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salukispeed
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#3

Post by salukispeed »

I try to do a good check for level and parallel. Then check both sides to the gasket surface. But something still seems amiss. I used to think I knew carbs pretty well?? I approach it with do it completely and correctly each time and it will likely work properly. If I take a short cut it will get me.
I will read the Randak piece again.
Thanks
Honda 72 CL100 sold
74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
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CYBORG
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#4

Post by CYBORG »

I always thought it was a measurement to the top of the float, (actually the bottom) when the carb is upside down. Never heard of measuring to the seam. I could be wrong, but it has always worked for me
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#5

Post by RB »

Yeah I was wondering about that but I've never done 1200 carbs..
98 1500 SE..
99 1500 SE SOLD
97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
78 REBUILT SOLD
77 REBUILT SOLD
76 SOLD/PARTIAL REBUILD
76 REBUILT AND SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILD SOLD


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RB
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CYBORG
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#6

Post by CYBORG »

I did my 1200 that way, and it works fine
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#7

Post by robin1731 »

Cyborg is right. I've never measured floats any other way on any bike but to the bottom, top when carbs are upside down.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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RB
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#8

Post by RB »

Correction not upside down but standing up on end almost vertical so the tag just rests on the pin w/o pushing it in at all.
98 1500 SE..
99 1500 SE SOLD
97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
78 REBUILT SOLD
77 REBUILT SOLD
76 SOLD/PARTIAL REBUILD
76 REBUILT AND SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILD SOLD


FAIR WINDS,
RB
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CYBORG
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#9

Post by CYBORG »

Thats correct. sitting at an angle with the tang just touching
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#10

Post by Whiskerfish »

For me the 1000 is easy to check just make sure it is dead nuts parallel to the body and that generally makes it right on the money. I also have never done a 1200 so i do not have any knowledge to share with those.
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#11

Post by CYBORG »

The 1200 heights are different then the 1000's, but still easy to set. To be fair, I seem to recall, when I was a teenager, ya they had cars then, there was a car carb that was set using the seam of the float. Just saying
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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robin1731
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#12

Post by robin1731 »

Yeah, I should not have said upside down. Most bike carbs if you get the float parallel to the body it will be pretty close.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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salukispeed
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Re: Measuring float level correctly question.

#13

Post by salukispeed »

Being that the carbs sit on an angle and not parallel to the ground the gasket/oring surface is also tilted. The 1000's are foam and flat surface. The 1200's are plastic with the ends somehow hot welded on to complete the hollow float. The seam where the hotweld is created is what is making me ask. Definately measuring with them hanging loose with the tang just resting on the needle is correct. Thanks for the thoughts.
Honda 72 CL100 sold
74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
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