XJ700X carb fuel level

The manual isn't very clear on where to check the fuel level on the Mikuni carbs on a XJ700X. Should the level be measured to the carb body as in example A or should it be measured to the gasket mating surface as in example B. The spec I have is 3mm + or - 1mm. I assume that is correct? When trying to adjust the float height per the manual, it is almost, if not completely, physicaly impossible to adjust down to the 17.5mm specified when measuring to the gasket mating surface. I think it will be easier and more accurate to adjust the fuel level once I find out the correct reference point. Can the fuel level be set on the bench or does it require the bike to be runnning as stated in the manual? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I'm not sure about the 700 but for the 750 Seca they say to adjust it 3mm below the carb body gasket face which would be 3mm below the top of the gasket when it's mounted with the bowl underneath it or to put it another way you want the fuel to be at about the top of the bowl. Looks like that would be 3mm below A in your photo. The engine doesn't HAVE to be running but you need the petcock to be open so it would have to be on Prime and I guess the vibrations help level the floats. You can also adjust the levels with the carbs sitting in a glass of liquid if you hold a glass full of fuel underneath them one at a time. That makes it easier to see what you are doing but you have to be careful not to spill the fuel.

 

Thanks for your reply. The top line for example "B" doesn't show very well in the photo - it is level with the top of the box the letter B is in. That is actually the surface where the gasket meets the carb body. There is a lip on the carb body that extends beyond the mating surface and that is what is shown in example "A". That's what's giving me fits. I'll try adjusting to the gasket mating surface like you stated and see how that goes. If that doesn't do it, it may be time to put a match to the whole thing lol.