K&L carb kit

I'm new to the site, and there is some incredibly good info here. I'm glad I found this on the web. I'm working on a prior owner neglected XJ550 that I bought a few years ago and has been problems since. Anyway, I ordered up carburator repair kits and pretty much know where everything goes except for the little metal disk???? (O-rings, gasket, needle & seat, small disk) Where does this go?
I plan on checking the valve clearances first... does anyone know if the Motion Pro 08-0020 tool (Yamaha YM-01245) will work for my application??? (1982 XJ550).
With the degredation of fuel (Ethanol additive) I can only imagine everyone is having more fuel/carburator problem as the fuel does not store at all. I plan on draining my carbs this winter instead of using a stabilizer. Anyone changing their winter layup plans???
Also... there is a website that I will share, www.pure-gas.org where you can search your local area to see who sells the non-ethanol blended fuel. Many marinas and stations still do. Thanks!

 

The little metal disk is supposed to be used to cover up the air/fuel mixture needle after you overhaul the carbs. EPA regulations require their installation by any service shop. However you, the owner, get the choice of installing them or leaving them off without the legal ramifications a shop would face. Install, save or huck them at your leisure.

 

MP 08-0020 is indeed the tool you need.

I used Sta-Bil last fall for layover and had absolutely no isses this spring. Did NOT drain the carbs, left them full of stabilized fuel.

Mikuni carb exploded view (but no pilot screw plugs, sorry http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=31061.html

Be sure to check/adjust the valves prior to attempting to sync the carbs.

 

What a great site! Thanks for the reply's.
I just need to get a bucket tool, valve cover gasket and new rubber washers and I will be ready to check the valves. In the interim I will be cleaning and rebuilding the carbs. Kits are on the way, and I picked up the last few things I needed to build the carb sync tool. Carquest has my fuel filter coming, so all I really have left to worry about are the valve shims if needed, and the idle circuit colortune.

The fuel here in Virginia is horrible. My chainsaw doesn't run well with it, my riding mower doesn't like it, and my boat doesn't like it. I have since found a couple of gas stations in the area that do sell the non-ethanol blended fuel, and everything runs much better with that gas. Part of the problem is that if it sits for any length of time it loses its octane rating, the other issue is it seperates and eats rubber. I spent a day replacing fuel lines on my snowmobiles because the fuel was melting them. You can use it, but don't let it sit for any length of time or you'll have problems without the stabil!