'77 GS750 Float Bowl Overflow Tube Cracked

[Toadlips]

Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen,

The overflow tube in my #1 carb float bowl (VM carb, '77 GS750) has a hairline crack running up it, and I'm looking for some advice!

It was leaking pretty badly, and then I scuffed it up with some sandpaper and soldered it with a pen type soldering iron. I ended up with a decent bead of solder along the length of the tube, but at the base, where the tube meets the aluminum of the bowl body, the solder seemed to glob up and cool off before reaching into the crevice. It's still leaking...but ever so slightly.

Any tips or suggestions? Should I try a hotter soldering iron? (Wattage recommendation?) If I decided to plug up the overflow tube, would that adversely affect venting in the bowl? Anybody with experience using JB Weld or Kreem in there? Is replacing the tube and pressing a new one in a possibility? Anybody want to sell me a float bowl?

The solder job has really helped a lot. The gas is coming out so slowly that it may have dripped one drop in the last 3 days, but when I rub my finger along the tube, it is wet with gas. Whatever solution I come up with, I'd like it to be a permanent fix. I really don't want to risk springing a leak while riding around.

Thanks for any suggestions!!
Toadlips

[SqDancerLynn1]

Why not get another float bowl ?? I'm sure someone here has one I may even have one. If you are talking about the brass tube ? that is part of the choke circuit

[Toadlips]

Thanks for the response, SqDancerLynn!

I'm sure it's the overflow tube that's cracked (not the choke plunger tube).

I was under the impression that the float bowl would be tough to come by, but if you or someone else from the forum has one that they wouldn't mind selling to me, I'd be happy to buy it! I looked on eBay and didn't see anything but full carb sets.

Of course, if there's an easy way to fix what I have, I'm always open to that, too! Otherwise, maybe I'll put an ad in the WTB section!

Thanks!
Toadlips

[chevytruckdude]

I am having the exact same problem! I have been looking for float bowls on flea bay, but no luck. I am anxiously waiting to hear if someone has maybe one for me too!

[Toadlips]

Talk about bad luck!! Sorry to hear that!

I'm interested in hearing if it's a problem to just plug the hole up at the bottom so it can't leak, although I don't know if that will affect the float bowl venting.

Other than that, I have read elsewhere that an acid core solder like plumbers use is the best for this type of repair. Other people seem to report that Kreem or JB weld might work. I like the idea of solder because it seems like it would be permanent. If I recall correctly, weren't some of the old brass floats soldered at the seams?

Only problem is that I've got a bunch of solder already on the thing and my soldering iron doesn't seem capable of melting it all at once.

Good luck!!
Toadlips

[dirtyfingers]

Use a propane torch or get a gun type soldering iron, make sure the tube is clean. Use some sandpaper or scotch pad if you have to, and don't forget flux.

[Don-lo]

We used a small diameter blue fuel line, I can't remember the brand name. It looked about the size for model airplanes. It slipped tightly over that tube and sealed it up nicely. Soldering will also work.