Topic: warped floats, how can you tell?

[bcbillings]

I have a 1981 cb650c and i believe i have at least one warped float, is there any easy way to determine if they all are or if i am crazy?

[tomkimberly]

You can check the float level by hooking up some clear tubing and measuring the actual level.

Or you could be talking about warp factor 9 from Star Trek...   

[lucky]

Without a photo how can we tell anything?  Just guess?

[flybox1]

Warped as in twisted? Or warped as in not set correctly so the fuel level is off? 

[bcbillings]

I was told these plastic floats warp and cause the needles not to seat and may be the reason my carbs are overflowing. I have the 4 from the original carbs and 4 from another set. I was more wondering if anyone knew any tricks or rules of thumb when comparing these to know if they are "warped" before i started and wasted a bunch of time measuring them.

[flybox1]

The black floats rarely go bad.  If a mechanic told you that....run, and don't look back.  The float valves that the floats compress to stop fuel flow do fail over time.  There are two types.  Brass tipped and rubber tipped.  They can be cheaply replaced.
The big things to preventing leaky carbs...
clean fuel from a clean tank
properly set float heights
good, working float valves.

[BobbyR]

I have a feeling your floats are simply too high and the bowls are flooding. The clear tube method is great. Give it a try. The old brass floats used to get holes in them and sink. The plastic is very stable.

[bcbillings]

I will try the clear tube method, and sadly these carbs are not blessed with the black floats these are the (orange/white) plastic ones that are not solid they are sealed hollow plastic shells, and it was here that i learned they could be warped i have no $$ at all to take this to a mechanic and the nearest one who would agree to work on it is over 3 hours away!

guess its time for me to figure out how to adjust float levels! thanks for the assistance.

[flybox1]

those plastic ones can crack and leak.
get some black rubber ones, and forget about them.

go here and PM harisuluv
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=115539.0

[bcbillings]

I looked up some solid ones on ebay and they were $30 each, i have almost no money to spend on this so i must make the ones i have work if at all possible. i will PM him and see what he suggests, maybe he has a cheaper idea than i found.

[flybox1]

a few things you can do to ensure they are good.
1. tie them together and submerge them in gas overnight.
if any have gas inside the next day, find the hole and patch it.

2. lay them flat side down on a table. do any of them 'rock' back and forth?  carefully bend them back into alignment.

3. float them in gas, and note buoyancy for each.  do they all float the same? 

for reference, here is your part # 16013-413-851