Wet fuel level

[pdqford]

The carbs on my 1980 GS750ET have all been stripped, soaked, washed, blown out with compressed air, and reassembled with new o-rings. The dry float heights have been reset to 22.3mm (to the best of my ability!)

Now I'm ready to set the wet fuel level. I couldn't find a way to hold the carbs while checking the fuel level, so I just hung them temporarily on the cylinder head (where they will end up).

BUT, looking at the carbs from the sides, they are not quite level, front to rear. (In the picture in the Clymer manual which shows setting the wet fuel level (with clear plastic tubing), the carbs appear to be level.) That is, the parting line between the carb body and the float bowl appears to be close to level, but with the carbs hung on the cylinder head, my carbs are leaning forward.

So my question is: "Should I jack the front of the bike up to try and level out the carbs in order to set the wet fuel level?" What do others do?

[rustybronco]

So my question is: "Should I jack the front of the bike up to try and level out the carbs in order to set the wet fuel level?" What do others do?

I prop them up on the work bench with scraps of wood until they're level front to rear and side to side.

[tkent02]

I don't think it's really a valid test unless it's on a running engine.

[Nessism]

I don't think it's really a valid test unless it's on a running engine.

Maybe not but close enough. There will be a dynamic fuel level on the running bike since fuel will be coming in and going out at the same time, but the amount of difference between a bench test shouldn't matter much if at all (I think).

[rustybronco]

but the amount of difference between a bench test shouldn't matter much if at all (I think).

It won't make much difference at all.

the biggest advantage of double checking fuel levels wet, after setting them dry, is the fact there are no "surprises" after you re-install them on the bike. it kind of ticks you off to find a float valve leaking or a heavier than normal float "after" they are on.

look at the people on this board saying they "cleaned them" then asking for help getting it to run correctly. we're not using factory fresh parts that you can assemble and get it to run properly out of the box. the systems we are trying to repair are around thirty years old.

so in my opinion, checking wet levels before installation is "one" of the necessary steps, towards getting the bike to run correctly. (or a proper repair as it were)

[Steve]

... so in my opinion, checking wet levels before installation is "one" of the necessary steps, towards getting the bike to run correctly. (or a proper repair as it were)

Yes, but I think the intent of the original poster is, because the parting line on the bowl is not level when it's installed, and the level is specified at XX amount below the parting line, just where along that non-level line are you supposed to measure?

.

[tkent02]

Well then I guess what really matters is that there isn't one wild bowl a lot different than all the others.

[81ZUKI75]

Service Manual

I've never done this but.....

per the service manual (see BassCliff's site http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/)

The bike should be on the center stand (does not say to jack up the front) and measure the fuel level (as shown in the pic) which is at the center of the carb. Distance from lower surface of carb body to fuel is specified as 4.5mm to 5.5mm.

[rustybronco]

Yes, but I think the intent of the original poster is, because the parting line on the bowl is not level when it's installed, and the level is specified at XX amount below the parting line, just where along that non-level line are you supposed to measure?

.

If you check the service manuals, they specify where to measure "wet" levels.
all I recall off hand is the VM and BS series are measured in different places. (BS is centered and VM off of center?)

***clarification*** what I should have said was "oriented" as they are on the bike. (not horizontally level) what I really meant was, leveled as on the bike.

a bad choice of words, sorry about that...

[pdqford]

I want to thank all for your input.

And Thank You Steve for stating the issue that prompted my question better than I was able to

Yes, but I think the intent of the original poster is, because the parting line on the bowl is not level when it's installed, and the level is specified at XX amount below the parting line, just where along that non-level line are you supposed to measure?

Measure the fuel level at the low end, high end, middle of the parting line. And how to accss that same spot on the inner two carbs

The bike should be on the center stand (does not say to jack up the front) and measure the fuel level (as shown in the pic) which is at the center of the carb. Distance from lower surface of carb body to fuel is specified as 4.5mm to 5.5mm.

Good catch, 81SUKI75. Although the carb in that pic looks level, I think I will try and level up my carbs AND try to take the wet fuel level measurement near the center of the float chamber.

Thanks again for all the help guys.......
(returning to lurk mode . . .