Two Questions: Float Height, Leveling carbs

Hey guys, me again. I've been reading all over this site, (which is chalk FULL of helpful amazing info!!) and I cant seem to understand and grasp these two concepts! Its really bugging me. I'm in the process of setting the float height on my carbs, and I cant seem to figure out how exactly I'm supposed to do it. Some posts say hold it at an angle, some say just make sure they're level and not cantered, some say measure the middle, some say measure the side, in the middle. I'm confused... Not cool. I drive an XJ700 and my spec. float height is 16mm. How can I accuratly measure, and set my off floats?
And number two.
I dont own a carb stand and I dont have the means to make one Like I've seen in a couple posts. Some of the posts are a little confusing on how to level them. I was wondering if anyone has a simple explination as to how to make sure these delicate carbs are level.
Thanks a lot for all your help XJBikes! Never steered me wrong before!
-SLKid

 

what i did was measure the closing point against the jet post. while blowing lightly into a spare piece of tube connected into the fuel rail, measuring it off at about 1/4 inch above the float center. at 1/4above center you should be at full seat. any higher and youll have an issue with fuel coming out the vent tube when on the side stand, any lower and you'll starve at high RPM.

I rested mine upside down on a table in the garage to do this.

if somone has a better method i may have to do mine again but they work great now.

 

Can you explain to me what you mean by the Float Center?? I have a spare tubing, i just replaced some fuel lines and installed a fuel filter, so I got some layin around.
So you're saying you blew into the line and the floats moved up about a fourth of an inch and thats how you measured it??

 

Check this out
Float Height
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... t+dry.html

Not sure what blu is measuring but this is the correct way to dry set. Then there are several posts on checking the level using a clear tube.

 

So, tilting the carbs forward, till the tang just barely touches the needles "wire" my Hitachi carbs should measure to 17.5 +/- 1mm?? Correct?? I've read that thread ten times and I'm glad I'm not the only one confused lol

 

Yup that is basically it. Read page one you will see it took a while and several PMs with Carl to get it through my skull. Which is why I added the pics.

Let me clarify the wire goes over the tang. The tang should be lightly resting on the pin on top of the needle but not depressing it any.

When you do the fuel test using the tube you need the carbs level. But if you are careful setting them toe 17.5mm it should be dead on.

 

Dude. You're awesome. I was thinking that the tang needs to be barely touching the wire that rests ABOVE the needle. So it just needs to be barely touching the needle itself. Sweet. I'ma set those this morning.
Thanks!
-SLKid

 

Man there has got to be an easier way! Its so hard to tell when its barely touching, and when you tilt it, sometimes the needle slides out a bit, throwing off your entire measurement! Crazyness. Any suggestions other than tilting?

 

Not that hard - you are being too fussy. Tilt until you are sure the plunger is not depressed. The weight of the floats will depress it a bit if you try to set it level (full upside down). This is what you are trying to avoid.

 

You're right. Fussy is the right word i guess. Not cool though cause it makes me sound like my gf! lol. But in any case I figured it out. My homemade work bench/sketch table/easle has adjustable levels. I just tilted it so all four carbs were tilted at the same angle (where the needles weren't depressed) and measured from there. Handy!
-SLKid

ps. Still curious about leveling the carbs. Does that mean as i am tightening the rack screws i need to tighten them and make all four carbs level at the same time? Like, lets say i tighten two screws too tight, it'll throw off one of the carbs levelness?

 

i measured it from the reverse side ... but going forward your method looks like it will be more accurate.

 

I set at level on them (side to side )when I reattached to the rack. That should be fine.

 

Leveled out with no difficulty. Just attached the rack, set it on the ground, and it leveled near perfect. Thanks!
The Floats however, when I installed the new float needles, dropped dramatically. by about 5mm. So i readjusted them all to inbetween 17.5 and 17. Is this normal?
-SLKid