Topic: MM ruler

[1978CB750SS]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?(no printer available) I saw an electric one a Harbor Freight (26 bucks) but wondering where
to find just a plain mm ruler. I took off and have been cleaning,trying the old roundtops I put on the 78ss. I had all four pipes heating up (finally), but overflow leak in number 1.after small adjustments ( floats look good) I popped off just the bowl on centerstand and could see there was only half full. How could it be overflowing with bowl not full?
  I tried bending tab each way slightly with carbs attached( just dropping the bowl)   about 5 times and either got no heated pipe, or dripping oveflow again. I did read this morning that the overflow tube inside may have a crack,but I think the drip would be much slower. I have read for hours this morning and decided to go get a ruler, take carbs off again and try the correct method ( 26 mm) of setting float.I also wonder if the needle and (seat? how do ya fix/remove seat?) might be the problem, but when I push up on the exposed float with finger, the flow stops. I did see the needle stick just a hair, but with a very slight tap of the rubber end of screwdriver the needle would fall down. So I tried another adjustment, waited for the drip, tapped the carb body lightly but she still dripped. Time to go get  mm ruler. I'm learning the correct way is the only way, unless ya get lucky, it's going to either not get gas, or leak. I was happy
after installing all new resistor caps and new plugs yesterday she ran much better right away.Get this carb stuff figured out and I'll be in biz. I also got all my rear lights all working yesterday! I had none before. I took it up the street to my sons, it felt nice to ride even if it wasn't quite right, it was running and moving! No pops, farts , backfires or smoke even! But noticed the drip when I got there and was reluctant to ride it home, I got a rag from him and set it under the drip and left.I made it home without 3rd degree burns or melted bike.

[1978CB750SS]

Now I remember , I just unscrewed brass seat the needle went into. The rubber seal around it was cracked, that is probably most my answer. Damn, I'm dumb. Things pop up hours later. I need a rubber o ring for the  needle seat!

[1978CB750SS]

And float height  re-adjustment I'm sure. Still wonder how it drips with bowl not fulll. Does drip come right down off needle seat and on to- in to overflow? They are pretty close to each other. I'm answering my own sh** just thinking about it as I type.

[1978CB750SS]

Also,, If bowl was only 1/2 full and gas stops when I raise float watching flow with the bowl off, That means needle seat is not the answer. It does close.

[Killer Canary]

Check the vent tube for obstruction.
Persistence pays and you seem to be fairly persistent.

[CycleRanger]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

I use one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-Tool-Stainless-graduations/dp/B00004T7ZV/ref=pd_cp_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVRPRPVADFS5A6GSVGXT

[evinrude7]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

any place that sells school supplies for the kiddies.  i think i got one at the walmartz or walgreens then i made this. 

[mrbreeze]

Convert the spec to inches and measure it that way. Then do the clear tube and tweek the fuel levels to spec.

[1978CB750SS]

all great replies! Thanks people. I like the credit card and floppy disk idea!I have plenty of those not in use. lol
I see that 26 mm converts to 1.02362, so just more than an inch.I also, am aware of the clear tube trick with carbs off the bike.
I'll try that too. It seems you can just empty bowl, trim the edge down,tape tube to carb body, cram the tube in the drain hole and refill the bowl.( on roundtops)
I see some make a nipple to screw in. I'm surprised no one is manufacturing them.Also there is a notch in edge/ bottom of carb body. That seems to be the factory spot to measure from. I was trying to eyeball every tab and make them all uniform, after all, 3 are working fine with those settings, how far off could I be?

[ekpent]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

I use one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-Tool-Stainless-graduations/dp/B00004T7ZV/ref=pd_cp_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVRPRPVADFS5A6GSVGXT

I use the one CycleRanger posted, they are very cheap at Harbor Freight or other places plus they look very cool in your shirt pocket protector when you go out at night !!   

[firebane]

Get a electronic slide caliper and measure away. They are dirt cheap and have a lot of uses

[Airborne 82nd]

At wall mart you can get four of the straight fittings and force thread it into the drain screw hole. Works good.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Two-Little-Fishies-Airline-Fittings-Kit-12-pk/144456128?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6646&adid=22222222227062660966&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=169916875883&wl4=pla-276497206245&wl5=9010047&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=114435514&wl11=online&wl12=144456128&wl13=&veh=sem

[754]

Easy to make a guage.
Be very careful bending float tang. Easy to twist it...should be parallel.  I think the twist puts side thrust on the float valve and makes it rub and wear, and travel less smoothly.

[1978CB750SS]

Thanks 754. I'll be tweaking tang again tomorrow. I'll keep that in mind.

[RAFster122s]

Don't women like a nice Johnson tool?  Especially when you know how to use it...

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

I use one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-Tool-Stainless-graduations/dp/B00004T7ZV/ref=pd_cp_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVRPRPVADFS5A6GSVGXT

I use the one CycleRanger posted, they are very cheap at Harbor Freight or other places plus they look very cool in your shirt pocket protector when you go out at night !!   

[1978CB750SS]

 10-4 and check Airborne! Can I check levels on the main stand? I thought I read it shows false reading. I suppose I must lean the bike slightly against something so it sits flat as you would when driving.RAF.. Didn't get the joke.. I'm guessing a company named Johnson makes a tool for this application, in that case..haha! Thanks guys.

[1978CB750SS]

Check the vent tube for obstruction.
Persistence pays and you seem to be fairly persistent.

I'll check vent tube! I was blowing through fuel tube when I noticed tiny particles were hitting me in the face! haha I then took off needle seat and saw a white crust of crap in there.I thought I had solved why that bowl was almost dry. I blew through and got crud out,replaced needle seat. It's raining today and I don't want a face full of fumes. I was lucky the other day I could work outside and keep fumes to a minimum,nice breeze helps.I have today off but am wife committed to tearing living room apart, tossing old rug and couch, dang it all.I will get er done soon.

[1978CB750SS]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

any place that sells school supplies for the kiddies.  i think i got one at the walmartz or walgreens then i made this.

Thanks.Looks cheap and easy,, just like me! haha

[flybox1]

Where is a good place to get a mm ruler to adjust my float height?

any place that sells school supplies for the kiddies.  i think i got one at the walmartz or walgreens then i made this.

Thanks.Looks cheap and easy,, just like me! haha

These are not the rulers you are looking for (waves hand)

You dont need one as you're going to do the clear tube test and adjust your floats accordingly 

[1978CB750SS]

These are not the rulers you are looking for (waves hand)

You don't need one as you're going to do the clear tube test and adjust your floats accordingly 


[/quote]

I thought clear tube is done as a 2nd check. Fuel should be exactly how high to top edge of bowl?  I saw 3 mm for a 550, is it the same for a 750? I read but didn't write it down.I saw a pic somewhere.

[flybox1]

3mm below the top of the bowl is the goal.  so your 26mm doesnt have to be exact.  its just a starting point.
as long as the carbs are level, on or off bike doesnt matter.

[RAFster122s]

Follow CycleRanger's link to Amazon, or read the URL path...the Johnson Level Tool...

Sorry, a detail joke without enough context...

[evinrude7]

3mm below the top of the bowl is the goal.  so your 26mm doesnt have to be exact.  its just a starting point.
as long as the carbs are level, on or off bike doesnt matter.

doesn't need to be exact but the ruler from walmart was no good.  (waves hand)

[CycleRanger]

Follow CycleRanger's link to Amazon, or read the URL path...the Johnson Level Tool...

Sorry, a detail joke without enough context...

Lol, I didn't even look at the name when I posted that link..

[1978CB750SS]

I did the tube test. I read 2 pennies together is 3mm. I added a piece of red shrink tubing to the clear tube and it sealed the
clear tube nice! I also found the reason for leakage, or at least one reason. There is a crack in the metal overflow tube. It runs the length
of the tube. I took a piece of the factory rubber overflow tubing, cut it to size and sanded it to be narrow enough to go over the cracked tube. It was a great idea, I thought. Took the wife 2 miles round the park and to sub shop on the maiden voyage. While inside, I went back out and checked on the bike. It was leaking again!
I think maybe it was a sticky needle? Or my tube fix is no good. I turned off petcock and ate my sub, came back out, crossed the street to the gas station, put in a gallon and rode it home, on the way a car smashed into another car right in front of my wife and I . I made a b line into rite aid entrance and kept a rollin'. Got home and turned off petcock with bike still on, left it running for a sec, it started to raise in rpms as expected, turned it off and no drip! Anyway, got the bike titled, insured and registered today, rode it also and i'm happy as #$%*e right now. She looks killer, pulls hard and with new tires and some tweaking, I'm in freakin' business. I'd like to say thanks to everyone on here that has offered a hand and sold or gave me (thanks Airborne) parts and advice. This bike is beautiful and kicks ass.I do have a slight tick and will be reading and learning how to adjust valves. I hope that is my answer to the tick.