Bad float needle? how to tell

[Zero260]

So I rebuilt my carbs again, to make sure everything was clean. I noticed that I have what appears to be 2 different types of float needles, they are the same dimensions, but the pin where the float pushes them up is different. On 2 of them the pin can be pushed all the way into the needle, on the other 2 it pushes in until about an 1/8 of an inch out.

are they just different types? or are the 2 that push in all the way bad? I would imagine the float height could be slightly off because of this.

The carb that one of the needles that pushes in all the way in on is running rich at idle.

I did put the carbs back together and I switched which carb the needle was on to test it, but just seeing if anyone has advice.

[chuck hahn]

Rubber tipped ones will have a visible line set into them.

Steel tipped ones usually aren't effected much, but they too can get wear marks.

The float seats themselves are the most likely to wear since they are just soft brass.

Check for stuck springs on the little posts sticking up from the needles as well. Check for spring action and free everytime movement.

[chuck hahn]

They should all be the same..get all 4 of one kind or the other would be my advice.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I would suggest soaking them in carb cleaner The needle's can get clogged with junk. the little spring post will get stuck

[Guest]

There are different size needles.
What bike are these carbs going on?

[Zero260]

the bike is an 81 GS850G, the needles are the same length, I was just wondering more about the pin that the float pushes against. I had trouble measuring float height on the 2 that compressed all the way, I had to hold the float up because it wouldn't hold itself.

[chuck hahn]

The spring in those two are broken ( corroded to dust basically ) . The needles need replaced.

[gsinister]

What is the purpose of the little spring inside the needle anyway?

[chuck hahn]

It adds lifting and a positive pressure to the needle when the float raises and presses against it.And it acts kinda like a shock absorber also so the needles don't get slammed in to the seats as the floats bounce from movement of the bike.

[Nessism]

Z1 Enterprises sells packs of needles.

If the float weight compresses the spring, or if the spring is jambed up somehow, best to replace them.

After you are done it's best to measure fuel level in the carbs. Carb rebuild tutorial shown in my signature shows you how.

[gsinister]

Thanks, that makes sense.

[Zero260]

The spring in those two are broken ( corroded to dust basically ) . The needles need replaced.

Thanks for the response, ordered some from Z1, hopefully that's my final issue