1979 GS850G; source for GENUINE Mikuni float needles and seats?

[bwringer]

Helping a friend with a gas-puking 1979 GS850G, the weird one with the VM carbs.

The carbs were severely monkeyed with by the PO. We think everything is pretty well sorted out, but we didn't replace the float needles and seats. They seemed OK, with no signs of wear on the needles or seals. Floats are in good shape, height set per the manual.

Anyway, it's puking gas out the overflows, so the float valves obviously aren't sealing at all.

Crappy K&L aftermarket needles are easy enough to find, but of course they're also well-known to be complete garbage. I'd much prefer to find actual genuine Mikuni matched needles with the seats, and the little sealing washers too.

I've found a few sources for Mikuni parts, but you need to know exactly what Mikuni part number you need. Apparently there are several variants of the needles and seats. (2.5, 2.8, 1.8, etc. and so on) Which ones are correct for the 1979 GS850G?

 

[Nessism]

https://www.denniskirk.com/mikuni/v...t-size-2-0-vm26-26-2-0.p170235.prd/170235.sku

2.0 is the appropriate size. It's not critical.

 

[bwringer]

Excellent -- thanks for the info, Ed!

Never would have thought to look at DK.


Follow-up question: I'm not sure we'll need floats, but is there anyone selling genuine Mikuni, or at least usable, floats out there?

Z1 has what appear to be aftermarket floats
https://www.z1enterprises.com/float...tml?fits-motorcycle=Suzuki/GS850/GS850GN/1979

 

[Nessism]

Those Z1 floats don't inspire confidence Brian. Think I'd go with the stockers vs. those. And sorry, I'm afraid I don't know of any good sources for floats, OEM or otherwise. In my experience the old floats are usually serviceable, although they do tend to be less buoyant as the years go on. Be sure to do the clear tube fuel height measurement check instead of just trusting the float height check. With new floats the measurement will probably do fine, but it doesn't hurt to be diligent with old carbs.

 

[zed1015]

Try Niche cycles for genuine Mikuni parts in the US.

 

[Nessism]

Try Niche cycles for genuine Mikuni parts in the US.

Niche seems like a good source. The floats they say are for VM26's are not same as the stockers though. http://www.nichecycle.com/ncs/mikuni/parts-by-category/floats/vm24-365-float-assy-by-mikuni.html

 

[Grimly]

Thumbs up for Niche.
I was developing cramp from the standard springs in the PO-fitted VM34s on the XS. Niche had a pair of lighter springs that sorted it right out.

 

[zed1015]

VM26/28 Floats .
Mikuni VM28-418 Float Assembly VM28/694 Genuine Genuine Mikuni Floats (nichecycle.com)

 

[Nessism]

VM26/28 Floats .
Mikuni VM28-418 Float Assembly VM28/694 Genuine Genuine Mikuni Floats (nichecycle.com)

Saw those and they do look correct. A good investment for guys that plan on keeping their bike forever. The niche title/descriptions don't describe fitment so apparently that's on the buyer.

 

[bwringer]

Thanks!

I ran across Niche in a few searches, but wasn't sure how legit they were. I'll agree that they're lacking a lot of fitment data, but those sure do look like the correct floats.