Topic: Adjusting float height on #1 carb while on the bike?

[eworth]

Hey all,

Have a 77 CB550.   Bike runs real nice but when I leave my bike on side stand for the nice.  I get a puddle from the drain tube on the number 1 carb.  (no center stand anymore)

Can I adjust the float height on that one cylinder while the carbs are on the motorcycle?      Plugs look nice on all four.  Running right.

Just the 2' round puddle in the morning is bothering me.

Let me know your thoughts,
THanks!
Mark

[Bob Wessner]

Two foot puddle of gas is pretty big. Do you shut-off the petcock? If so, sounds like that is the problem, probably leaking.

[eworth]

Yes,  been shutting it off each night.   

More I think about it, maybe not a float problem?   Could it be the needle that seats when the float reaches proper height?   If that doesn't seal well, I could see all the remaining fuel in the fuel line draining out over night.   Does that make sense?

[Deltarider]

How's the carbbowl sealing O-ring?

[TwoTired]

77's have two carb styles, PD for the K and the early model Keihin for the F.  Are you using stock fuel line routing?
Sometimes you have to give information to get information.

If the overflow is draining, even with the fuel tap shut off, check the stand pipe in the bowl for cracks.  If no crack you have two or three problems. 
1 - The fuel valve is not shutting off completely and needs a new seal.
2 - If PD carb type the drain valve is not sealing.
3 - The float valve is not closing completely.
  The float valve may not be sealing for a number of reasons.
 a- there is debris blocking closure
 b- The float is set too high.
 c- there is a float pivot issue keeping the float from applying pressure to the float valve.
 d- there is a float seat or needle seal issue.

That's what I'd look at.

Cheers,

[bollingball]

TT: If item #2 drain valve not sealing. Would it not be leaking all the time?

[Really?]

TT: If item #2 drain valve not sealing. Would it not be leaking all the time?

Slow drip drip kinda leak?

[Duanob]

OR your float has a leak if it's hollow and isn't floating anymore. The float valve will never seat if that happens. Not sure which carb you have or what type of float you have but you can remove the bowl while the carbs are on the bike. Get yourself one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-right-angle-screwdriver-92630.html

it works great for that job but you will need longer driver bits. All in all I spent <$8.

[TwoTired]

TT: If item #2 drain valve not sealing. Would it not be leaking all the time?

Yes.  But, it may be slow enough to not be noticeable while driving.

Cheers,