Topic: What is UP with BENDING float tangs?

[grumpy]

There has has GOT to be a better way to set float heights than bending the tangs.
How imprecise is that?
Totally dives me nuts...

Is there any trick 70s after market dodad that has a more elegant adjusting mechanism? Or another method? Anything?

[mycb750k6]

Bend, measure. Bend, measure again. Bend back, measure. Bend back some more and measure again. Repeat until correct. After a while you'll be saying how easy it is.

[BobbyR]

There have been tools to do the measuring, but you have to still bend the tangs. I suppose you could machine in some adjustable stops so that you could adjust them externally.

[Frostyboy]

Is there any trick 70s after market dodad that has a more elegant adjusting mechanism? Or another method? Anything?

Short answer: Unfortunately no. 

[Old Scrambler]

If you have stock parts there should be no reason to bend the tangs!  Clean original parts are usually better than replacement parts - especially if they are not HONDA parts.

[mycb750k6]

I have found that all the carbs I have bought recently needed adjustment. One should at least check to avoid problems later.

I like the idea of an adjuster. Sorta like the throttle screw. Just thread a small adjuster screw  :-[in the tang and adjust with a needle nose without removing the float.

And maybe there should be no reason to adjust the tangs, but for some reason there seems to be a lot of reasons with the ones I've collected. People can't leave them alone. The chances of a float having been adjusted in a forty year span is probably good. And it seems that when the float valve starts to go and gets spongy and weak, it doesn't hold up against the float pressure as it once did so another adjustment. This stuff wears out and needs maintenance. And I've also found the little pin that sticks out of the float valve is different in length depending on the source - so yet another adjustment.

[Spanner 1]

Lots of tab/tang/float threads here.... having read them all  I think when the correct float 'height' is achieved with the tab just 'resting' on the float needle ball there are 2 things that need to be looked at 1. that the tab is now 90 degrees to the float needle in it's new position and 2. that the tab (upper ) surface to the teeny float ball is completely smooth ( polished ).... if everyone did those 2 things I think the Forum would be missing a lot of carb. prob. posts 

[Gordon]

The precision is in how well you measure, not the method of adjustment. 

[dave500]

billions of carbs of all types have to have floats bent to set them,excepting some holleys,use your finnese.

[flybox1]

The precision is in how well you measure, not the method of adjustment. 

+100

[drones76]

I checked my carbs this weekend using the vinyl tube in the drain hole method.  One level was right at the gasket line and the other was above it.  I removed the carbs and measured.  The one that was higher needed to be adjusted.  I adjusted it and both measured correctly.  It brought it down a bit but not quite to where the other is.  So according to the book, they are in spec.  My question is where exactly should the level be for a static test as outlined above?

1976 CB360

And I do realize this bike is not a SOHC4.  I am just asking in general if there is a level that should be in the floats.

[flybox1]

4mm below bowl gasket seam.

[grumpy]

The precision is in how well you measure, not the method of adjustment.  

There's the problem. I have digital calipers that are accurate to .001in but bending the tangs is like shooting baskets in the dark... sure, you might get it eventually....

4mm below bowl gasket seam.

Is that for other bikes as well?

[Gordon]

The precision is in how well you measure, not the method of adjustment.  

There's the problem. I have digital calipers that are accurate to .001in but bending the tangs is like shooting baskets in the dark... sure, you might get it eventually....

I guess I just think of it in the same way as adjusting valves, timing, points gap, idle mix screws, brakes, chain tension, etc.  You make a small adjustment, measure, and if it's not enough you make another small adjustment, measure and continue until it's right.  

[grumpy]

I guess I just think of it in the same way as adjusting valves, timing, points gap, idle mix screws, brakes, chain tension, etc.  You make a small adjustment, measure, and if it's not enough you make another small adjustment, measure and continue until it's right.  

Yeah, I know. Finesse and zen...

But dammit I'm an American!!! It all about ME, and I want it NOW!!! And I don't want to have to learn anything in the process!!!!!!
( sarcasm ^^^^ )

[Gordon]

I'll start working on a custom set of digital pneumohydraulic float level adjusters for you, stat!

[grumpy]

[flybox1]

Is that for other bikes as well?

Per HondaMan, it is for all SOHC4's

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I will throw this out there, and have done it to hundreds of carbs. (25+sets :-) I bend the tab to be parallel with the surrounding bracket and leave it at that.  Done, over, runs great. Now someone may ridicule my lack of precision and "devil may care" attitude...........

[Gordon]

I will throw this out there, and have done it to hundreds of carbs. (25+sets :-) I bend the tab to be parallel with the surrounding bracket and leave it at that.  Done, over, runs great. Now someone may ridicule my lack of precision and "devil may care" attitude...........

I think we may have found the reason why so many of us have had to adjust our float levels!

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Exactly, all that fiddling keeps you guys sharp.  Everybody is somebody elses PO :-)

[Don R]

I wish quick fuel would make us some carbs. Externally adjustable needle/seat with a glass fuel level window. Maybe I could adapt a 1250 cfm quick fuel 4 barrel with an adapter!

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

I always bend the tabs to .04 if I have any issues. I once had a 72 CB450 that the PO had fiddled with so much the fuel would just flow through the carb and fill up the case. He sold it to me thinking it was a major issue....I got it cheap...bent the tab to .04 and then sold the bike for 9 times what I paid.

[Stogie1020]

So, I am new to all of this and am reading a few of the carb threads, but having never done any carb adjustments before, is there a book with really good pictures   out there to assist someone like me with adjusting needles, float valves, etc.?

My cb750K8 runs good, but I am going to swap out the PO installed pods for the stock box and know I will need to adjust the carbs.

[dave500]

ide like to see a mini quadrajet for sohc fours.