Topic: Clear Tube Method How To?

[DownLow]

I understand the concept of the "clear tube method" of checking float height, and I've seen it talked about on the forums. 

My question is how do you connect the tube to the float bowl?  Have you modified a carb drain plug to accommodate the clear tube?  Is there a tool available to connect the tube to the bowl?

An explanation (or better still, pictures) of how you hook the clear tube to the float bowl would be greatly appreciated.  I'm sorry if this has been explained elsewhere.  I did some searching, but didn't find an explanation.

Thank you.

[Joshevelle]

I was about to make my own "clear hose adapter" in the lathe. Fortunately a shop nearby my house had a clear hose that perfectly fit the threaded drain hole.

It shouldn't be really hard to find, take one of the drain screws to an Air Compressors supplier or similar.

Sorry, I have no pictures, I can take one for you after work.

[PeWe]

It depends on the carbs.
Here a tool ready to use for Mikuni Smoothbore. Fits TMR too
http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?item=ZSM-VM29FT
Level 2-4mm under the float bowl gasket

[seanbarney41]

guys have done some different rigs over the years...it's not like there is 120psi of pressure on those float bowl drains with instant death poisonous acid awaiting to squirt out everywhere, so don't be scared of experimenting with whatever materials you have available.  Flybox, I think, just takes a common piece of vinyl clear hose, appropiately sized, heats one with a lighter, jams it in the drain, and gives it a twist so the threads seal, after it cools, the vinyl hardens and can be threaded in to seal over and over.  I used a vacuum nipple from my mityvac kit and just screwed it in, as the plastic was soft enough to seal to the drain threads.
Pics found here about 2/3 down the page, reply #16
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,80592.0.html
The clymer manual describes how to use a spare drain screw, drill it, and solder/braze in a small tube as a hose nipple...

Hope that helps...

[Muckinfuss]

I did the drain screw drill out with a soldering of a small brass tube that clear tubing slides onto.  It works.

[DownLow]

Thanks for the tips.  It would be nice if I could find a piece of hose that works all by itself.  Otherwise, I'll see about finding a spare plug to modify. 

[Joshevelle]

Flybox, I think, just takes a common piece of vinyl clear hose, appropiately sized, heats one with a lighter, jams it in the drain, and gives it a twist so the threads seal, after it cools, the vinyl hardens and can be threaded in to seal over and over.

Nice one, just DON'T use a lighter near the carbs or your gas tank.

Here are the pics. My carbs are not mounted in the bike, they need to be mounted to properly measure the fuel level.

Josh

[Kenzo]

A cheaper and faster way is just use 1/4" OD, 1/8" ID "Micro-Fuel Line" available from Home Depot...10' for a couple of dollars or so... Works for your bowl overflow lines too, if you don't mind the transparent orange color. My bike is currently stock orange.

Cut a 6" piece and you want to taper one end. I used my Dremel w/ the stainless steel wire wheel to make the taper. When just thread the tapered end into the drain hole and open your petcock. Just at the lower part of the bowl flange seems to be the proper level.

Cheers

[mrfish2]

3/16" vacuum connector from Advance Auto and 1/8" fuel line squeezed onto one side. The plastic is soft enough to thread right into a drain screw hole and doesn't leak at all.