Topic: '73 CB500 Carb External Fuel level Check

[w14]

Hi Folks,

I'm helping a friend get his '73 CB500 back on the road.  He's owned it since new, and has 7000 original miles on the ODO.  The carbs were all gummed-up due to lack of use.  I rebuilt the carbs using new needles/seats and o-rings.  Set the floats to 22mm.  The bike runs, without external leaks, but doesn't idle very well.  It also appears to run rich (shutting off the fuel cock improves the idle for several minutes).
I used the clear-hose-in-the-drain-hole method to check the external fuel level, and got 3 different readings, varying between 1mm to 12mm below the top of the bowl edge.
New points and condensors, timing/dwell within specs.
I've removed the carbs again, and plan to double-check all the idle passages are clear.

Can someone tell me what the external fuel measurement should be?

Thanks for a great forum!

Cheers,
Will

[Greggo]

Honda shop manual doesn't mention this, unless I'm missing it.  Clymer manual doesn't give an exact number, other than to adjust the float properly as done in that section.  I'm no expert, but I believe they should all be 2 or 3mm under the bowl top.

[w14]

I did find an answer on this forum for the CB750 (3 to 4mm below the bowl gasket seam), but am trying to find a concensus for the CB500 before I spend hours doing it wrong.  I would like to set the fuel levels "wet" on the bench before re-installing the carbs.
Cheers,

Will