tubing size for float test???

Im going to be doing the clear tubing to check fuel levels in the carbs so I can make sure the floats are adjusted right. Im 70 miles from home at work. I do not have thee carbs with me. Anyone know what outside diameter line will fit the minuki carbs from my 82 xj 550 to fit inside the drain holes on the bowl?

 

I used fishtank line with a little electrical tape wraped around the end. So I know for sure its a bit bigger than fishtank airline. Sorry but I'm sure someone else knows the real size.

 

It won't. (The tubing fit the drain hole, that is.)

You need some sort of a "nipple" to press into the Mikuni's drain holes, and then attach the tubing to that. Tubing small enough to fit the hole probably won't give a very good reading.

Any sort of little plastic tubing coupling will work as long as the diameter is close you can file/sand it down to fit. IIRC, I carved up one of the little tubing couplers that came with my Mity-Vac; or I got an assortment at the auto parts and found one that fit.

 

I used 1/4" OD clear fuel line with a little bit of electrical tape wrapped around the end as well. Seemed to work well.

 

Thanks guys. Will see what I can find along thoselines at the hardware store in the townie delivering in.

 

Just an FYI: Chacal sells these things you can put into the float bowls so one can more easily use a clear tube for measuring the fuel levels. I like to call them "Lee Press-In Float Bowl Nipples." Hell, if you ask him nice, he can even sell you a little piece with the clear tube and a graduated glass piece on the end -- take a look at the Setting The Fuel Level writeup to see what I'm talking about.

 

Thanks guys. Stayed up till almost 1 am getting the floats adjusted right and and got the new pilot screw o-ring installed that came in from chacal yesterday. Got the carbs put beckon the bike and she fired right up.

 

That is always a good feeling

 

Yes it is. Now tomorrow I will sync the carbs and adjust the pilot screws. Wish I knew someone close by that had a color tune plug I could borrow but will try it by ear and see if settings them a little richer will eliminate the bog it has at 2100 rpm

 

I made a Float Level Tool that's sort-of, ... "Universal"

I have a 2" Section of Rubber Hose that has had the Bowl-end sanded-down to a "Bevel"
Then, I added a Right-angle adapter, ... and the Vinyl Hose.

I can fit the Bowl-end over a Hitachi Fuel Bowl Port.
Or, twist the Rubber Hose in to a Mikuni Port and have it stay put.

 

(nod) Before I found out about those neat little doohickeys from Len, I followed the instructions on the Maximum-X site and made an adapter from a 90 degree hose barb, some tubing, and a cap from a tube of DAP Kwik-Seal. Redneck, but it worked.

 

Believe it or not, there was actually a "factory tool" for the Mikunis; a little brass nipple with an o-ring that you push into the drain hole and attach the hose to.

I have one; it doesn't work for squat. If you're not exactly "square" pushing it in, it just slices off one side of the o-ring and leaks.

I like using a little plastic push-in fitting.