Author Topic: CB400F Float height problem  (Read 5261 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Gentlemanjim

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 25
CB400F Float height problem
« on: January 15, 2015, 05:17:16 AM »
I rebuilt the carbs on my 1976 CB400F and set the floats at 22mm as stated in the manual,  Problem is that they drain from the overflow tubes.  I raised them to 23mm, but they still overflow if I tilt the carbs the slightest bit.  Should I increase the float height more and by how much?

Offline Bodi

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,700
Re: CB400F Float height problem
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2015, 05:38:12 AM »
Something is not right, there shouldn't be any dribbling with stock float height. Find what is really going on rather than making changes based on guesses. Confirm the floats are the right way up (sounds unlikely, but they "look wrong" when correct), that you are measuring the float height correctly, and that the float height measurement is with the tang just touching the valve.
With the correct fuel level you can tilt the carbs quite a bit without spillage.

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: CB400F Float height problem
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2015, 06:56:31 AM »
Are all 4 leaking?  If only one or two check the stand pipes and make sure they are not cracked...Larry

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: CB400F Float height problem
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2015, 07:14:15 AM »
I rebuilt the carbs on my 1976 CB400F and set the floats at 22mm as stated in the manual,  Problem is that they drain from the overflow tubes.  I raised them to 23mm, but they still overflow if I tilt the carbs the slightest bit.  Should I increase the float height more and by how much?
if in your rebuild kit you used new float needles, its possible the internal post height could be slightly shorter, or the spring tension inside is different the the originals.
because of these variables, you have to think of the factory float height as just a starting place, and resort to using the 'clear tube' test to set your float height.
keep in mind...fuel level is the goal. 3-4mm below the top edge of the bowl is sufficient
float height and float valve function get you to the goal.  adjust them as needed to get the correct fuel level.

not for our bikes, but a good example
« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 07:16:40 AM by flybox1 »
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,232
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: CB400F Float height problem
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2015, 07:37:01 AM »
flybox1,that last post of yours has very clear diagrams,thanks
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: CB400F Float height problem
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2015, 07:49:00 AM »
NP.  We have 2 variations of our carb drains. 
When we remove the drain screw, fuel either flows out of the overflow pipe (like my PD carbs), or, in the case of the OP's 400F, fuel drains out the bowl drain screw hole itself.
For the 400F bowls, the clear tube can either be heated/stretched/tapered, and screwed right into the drain screw hole, or a spare drain screw can be center-drilled and altered so the clear tube can be affixed, and then screwed in place.

'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"