Carb float needle adjustment clarified please

[schemer]

A. I am setting/checking the float level according to the measurement methods found here but one guy (V7Goose) shows checking it with the carbs on an angle with a 2x4 holding them so the "pin" in the needle is extended but touching the tab.

 

B. The other guy (tazmocycle) with the video shows the carbs flat and level and using the same measurement and that would be with the "pin" depressed. He says 8 - 9mm and he says 9mm is better.

 

When I check mine with method "B" I have the correct reading at 9mm.

 

I measured the amount the "pin" actually moves when depressed and it is just under 1mm (0.035 inch). Am I close enough or need to bend all the tabs? Is 0.035 thousandths of an inch enough to cause trouble? The way it is now is leaning more towards the 8mm measurement using method "A".

 

Thanks,

schemer

[MiCarl]

You don't want the pin depressed when you measure. On some carbs (not sure about 2nd gen Venture) the spring is stout enough it won't compress even inverted. To be sure, measure them using the method V7Goose demostrated.

[schemer]

Ok, I will do it like that then. I read somewhere that over time the floats can age and become heavier (even when not filling with fuel) and you could adjust to one extreme that would be safer than the other. Just like adjusting valves .001 looser than tighter as it is going to wear to the tighter spec anyhow. Also, the spring on the OEM needles is rather wimpy and it closes really easy and that is why V7Goose came up with his method.

Thanks,

schemer

[V7Goose]

As I stated in my original tech article, the shop manual clearly states that the float needs to be measured with the needle valve touching the float but not depressed, and this is very typical of all carbs on both bikes and cars. Unfortunately, that cannot be done on this particular carb when it is laying flat upside down. Even though the shop manual shows that method, they are just flat wrong! It is not possible.

 

Measuring how much the plunger in the needle valve moves gives you nothing - the tang that touches the plunger is not under the float, so the float will actually move a lot more than the tang does. I'm sure it is possible to properly set the float as I describe, then lay the carb down to re-measure (the number will be smaller), and that would give you a new spec to use with the carbs laying flat. But I never did that and do not advise it. The spec that anyone can look up is in the shop manual, so they best know how to properly set the float to that spec. As soon as someone begins advertising their own spec that is different than the published one, you have more possibility of confusion and problems.