Dropping float bowls without removing carb-advice needed

[BigD_83]

You have Canadian carbs with adjustable needles. There should not be a cap over the mixture adjustment screw either. I used a modified set of needle nose pliers for getting the circlips out, cheaper than a special tool.

The ones I have (circlip pliers) are just a little too stubby to make the task easy.

Canadian Tire sells sprung needle nose pliers for $10 that can probably be modified if need be. 7981GS suggested the same thing.

I realized that I had my (shorter) replacement throttle cable sitting in a box on the workbench when I had the carbs out the other night. I wish I had remembered then instead of last night at 9:45. Doesn't look a pleasant task to change it with the carbs sitting in the bike.

 

[Agemax]

I just pulled the #2 bowl, float, and float valve on my 1000. It wasn't easy, but it was easier than pulling the carbs. The hardest part was holding the valve in while reinstalling the float and pin. Ended up putting a big glob of grease on the valve to hold it. I would do it like that again.

that will block it up then! bad idea!

 

[BigD_83]

that will block it up then! bad idea!

Depending on the grease used, wouldn't it just dissolve in the gasoline and burn up?

 

[Agemax]

Depending on the grease used, wouldn't it just dissolve in the gasoline and burn up?

a big glob of grease in your float bowl will easily clog up any one of the jets in there. not to mention actually causing your float needle to stick either open or shut, causing all sorts of problems

 

[Guest]

With only two carbs, how could it not be?

Haha true... just had to speak up though

Hey Pete,

thanks for speaking up. I have no doubt the 400/450s and smaller bikes would be a breeze compared to the 550/650. Suzuki really crammed these carbs into a tight space.

I've been following your thread for awhile as I had been looking at a pair of 450s last summer for the girlfriend and myself, until she made it clear that wasn't an option last year. You've been doing some nice work, and I'm a little jealous of your fabrication skills.

No probs Big D, it's still a little awkward, but partly for me that's due to the pipe restricting access from the left. I can easily reach all the float bowl screws except the front left one from the right side though.

I think I may have to invest in some Kevlar gloves if I'm going to be doing it while she's hot though as there's definitely lots of skin contact getting your hand in there...

Thanks for the compliment too, first time I'd done that sort of work and I'm really happy with how it all turned out And twin 450's would be cool! Bgmart? Had that until he sold his not too long ago...

 

[1_v8_merc]

Done this on a cb900 before, it's easy, just make sure you're in a Calm mood.

I took a small Phillips-bit and just clamped a tiny vise-grip onto it, sideways. Then I just made sure to have Upward pressure on the float bowl screw while I turned the pliers. Worked like a champ. (I pinched the Bit with my Index finger and Thumb, to keep pressure Upwards, then I just turned the vise-grip from East to West, with my other hand)

I got the right sized Phillips Bit, from one of those Screwdriver sets that have all the removable tips.