Topic: K1 - Carb Curious...

[Johnie]

When I got this K1 in March I removed and cleaned the carbs and set the float height to 26mm.  Later I installed new needle seats and needles to remedy a carb overflow.  Could new needles change the float height?  Should I be removing the carb bank again to check the float height?  I do not know how accurate I could be trying to do it with the carb bank left on the bike.  Or can this be done on the bike?  Once again, thanks for your expertise...

[WHALEMAN]

Needles do not affect float height. I have never be able to accuratly set float height on the bike. Dan

[Mdub]

This has worked for me in the past:
Take off one of the float bowls and set the float height. Then remove the drain screw from the bottom of the bowl and stick/screw a clear plastic tube (small dia from hardware store 2"-3" long or so) in the drain hole and reinstall the float bowl.
Route the tube straight up and open the petcock. You'll see fuel fill the tube as high as it is in the float bowl.
Make a mark at that level on the tube and then just swap the bowl with the others to check their levels.
(or, conversely, swap the tube to the other bowls)

In general though, new needles and jets shouldn't appreciably change your float levels.
The little brass tabs are fairly delicate, maybe you bumped them during reassembly
(been dere, done dat' )
Take your time, you can do it with the carbs installed.

[Johnie]

I just had another thought for not removing the carb bank.  I have an extra set of K1 carbs.  I could take the new needle and float off the bike and put it in the extra carb.  Check the float height while in the extra carb and reinstall it all back in the carb on the bike.  That should be pretty accurate...

[DONZIE]

Johnie, I hardly ever use "new" float valves in any of the bikes I deal with. I clean up the old float valves the best I can then lap the old valve seats with either tooth paste or a mixture of baking soda & a little water to make a paste. I have have a problem with new valves leaking more than the old ones so I always lap the new ones also.
I have been known to polish all internal brass pieces floats included in my handy dandy rock polisher / tumbler. I doubt this has much to do with the workings of all these small parts but it does shine things up & removes burrs & scratches & it sure makes a rebuild purtty