Topic: 90% successful.

[Tomshep]

The 400/4 runs. After twelve years of inactivity, fifty one days of spare time work  have started to pay off. Two floats have not the slightest intention of sealing which is irritating because I have new float valves throughout. Initially, all the carbs leaked which flooded the engine so  iit  started without choke. Cam chain adjusted and it runs smoothly when the carbs are not hosing fuel out at 1200 RPM. Starts first kick, too when warm so although I have the hassle of debugging the carbs (yes, I gave them a bash or three - it didn't work), I have nearly got it cracked. The lights all run brighter with the engine running and the oil pressure light goes out smartly, two good signs. Considering it was bench synchronised, it is pretty close but it is impossible to tell until the carbs seal properly but it revs well, keeps the oil in the top end inside the engine and doesn't misfire itself to a halt after ten minutes. 90% there so only 90% to do.

[BenelliSEI]

Cobragts! Nothing more satisfying.......

[kerryb]

I was just there last week!  Feels good but frustrating.  I took the floats and needles out again, cleaned them again, and again...then moved the parts around to get new combinations and cleaned the seats again with brasso and a quew tip...and now they don't leak at all, even when I forget to turn the petcock off!  Don't give up, my keyster needles and seats finally realized I wouldn't leave then alone so they decided to play nice.  Remember...persistence...iligitimus non carborundum (or something like that!)

[Tomshep]

Thanks. I think the illegitimi needles will get their carborundum pretty soon. The plan is to turn the carbs upside down and use air pressure to see what does or doesn't seal. This ought to allow me to get it right before I put the carbs back again

[Alaxy Galaxy]

Thanks. I think the illegitimi needles will get their carborundum pretty soon. The plan is to turn the carbs upside down and use air pressure to see what does or doesn't seal. This ought to allow me to get it right before I put the carbs back again

Whenever I take the carbs on my 400 apart, it takes a few drives cycles for the float needles to seat properly, after which they seal very well.

[Tomshep]

Thanks for the encouragement: these, alas are not seating at all, flowing as much as can flow through the overflow pipes. Job for another day, probably the weekend.

[Tomshep]

It was dry and sunny this afternoon and not blowing fifty knots for a change. I had one job to do and it went well so I took myself down to the garage and pulled the carbs off. I took off the two offending float bowls and found precisely nothing wrong. The carbs were inverted and the fuel pipe blown down. No leakage.  Lift float, air comes out. Drop float and it seals.  Inconclusive. Reinstalled carbs having first pulled the outer rubbers from the airbox. Fitted easily and stuffed the outer rubbers back in. Loosely fitted the cables and hung all the drains and vents off the side of the motor before fitting the tank back on and turning on the tap/faucet/petcock, call it what you will.
 No leaks. Wait. No leaks. Better see if it goes then. Yep, crisp as a puppodum! The engine sounds just beautiful, instantly responsive and smooth. Like one I built.  99% then. Oil pressure and neutral lights have failed again so I shall have to go back to filaments. Time for a beer. Paint the chainguard and fit the chain this weekend then I'd better pop across the channel and get my helmet back here. Looks like I am going to need it.