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Float Issues

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:29 pm
Author: ROZZER
Z1B totally standard, checking float heights (actually fuel height using factory manometer), noticed that tang on No 3 float was bent to an extreme angle whereas the others slightly bent to get required fuel height. When I compared all the floats they all look identical but the float in questions pivot point is approx 2- 3mm lower than the others (hence the extreme angle on the tang to touch the needle valve and attain the correct fuel height). Question is can the whole of the brass section be bent to get the same height for the pivot? Could it be an odd float from another model/carb? Can you still buy floats? Bike runs OK but starts on 3 until warm (few mins) cylinder not running when cold is same as the one with dodgy float (coincidence?) have stripped and cleaned carbs, all clear jets and airways, choke plungers removed and all working fine.
Your thoughts gents?
Running Dyna S ignition, new coils/leads/caps and Denso plugs so don't think ignition is the issue here.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:04 pm
Author: PAULJAC47
Hi John ,Have you got a small hole in the float? put them all in dish of petrol and leave a while then see if they all float at same height,give the suspect one a good shake to see if any petrol inside Cheers Paul J..

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:36 pm
Author: pertonpc
Hi there,
Another trick to check for leaking floats is to submerge it in water which is just off the boil. Air inside the float will expand with the heat and you will see it as bubbles from the leak point. Don't leave it in to long if you get bubbles so that no water can be drawn back in as it cools. Hope this may help a bit. From Mark

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:07 pm
Author: ROZZER
Thanks for the suggestions. Float definately has no leaks.
I don't think I made myself very clear, the fact is that physically the pivot point of the float is 2-3mm different to the others so looks like its either been bent (I don't really think thats the case) or is from a different model/carb. If I hold two floats up next to each other then align the flats on the floats then the pivot point (brass) is 2-3 mm lower on carb No 3.
Does any one know if floats can be bought?

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:32 pm
Author: wilsonsjw11
John
I'm pretty sure floats are NLA.
If you Google KAWASAKI PAUL(Paul Wingert)he may have the odd one NOS.
Steve

Float level

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:39 pm
Author: Alexander
Hi John, this may be of help to you,
I had an issue once with my float levels, after checking fuel levels one was reading fairly high compared to the others and when it dismantled to check I too was going to have to bend the tang quite significantly to componsate. However after some consideration and inspection of other components I found that the fuel needle/valve had a small spring loaded pin and on this carb there was no resistance, in fact if you turned it upside down it depressed slightly on its own so I replaced it with a new seat and valve and that sorted it out. I think over time it either broke or became significantly weaker. However I also made an a**se of adjusting one once by twisting the frame that supports the floats while trying to adjust the tang, I did not notice it at first but after reassembly and checking the fuel levels I thought I had bent the tang the wrong way, cursing my self and dissambly found that one float was obviously higher than the other so I must have twisted them out of alignment when trying to bend the tang, so be carefull and good luck. Alex

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:50 pm
Author: Rich
brass floats or plastic?

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:03 pm
Author: ROZZER
Rich - Black plastic floats.

Tried Kawasaki Paul, he has Z1 floats but they are different part No to Z1B, anyone know waht the difference is? Maybe I have one from Z1 and 3 from Z1B?

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:44 pm
Author: Rich
You should get away with bending the brass, unless you've been playing Uri Geller it shouldn't snap I think I have some kicking around of the later style but as to specific model it may even be from some GS1000 carbs.

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:45 pm
Author: sneck

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:49 pm
Author: ROZZER
Photo's of the problem, have got loads of floats today off DDZ900 to try but they are all same as the odd one, does anyone have a spare float from a Z1B that I could buy?
Image
Image

Rich, Bending the brass won't sort this one, just too far out so need to get the correct float. Gonna try NRP and John Browse see if they can help

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:13 pm
Author: Pigford
Thing is - if one of the non-std ones fit, and you can adjust it to get the correct fuel level, whats the problem :?:

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:52 pm
Author: Alexander
john_roscoe wrote:Photo's of the problem, have got loads of floats today off DDZ900 to try but they are all same as the odd one, does anyone have a spare float from a Z1B that I could buy?
Image
Image

Rich, Bending the brass won't sort this one, just too far out so need to get the correct float. Gonna try NRP and John Browse see if they can help


I believe I have one for the very early carbs, (72) but not sure if they are identical-will have a look tomorrow for you. Alex.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:15 pm
Author: Alexander
Hi John,
Image 72/73 FLOAT
Image
Image
Found this in the garage today, I had a broken carb body on number 3 (came with the bike) and managed to find complete NOS carb to replace it but I kept it for parts. However I have recently discovered that the new carb has the rib which my original does not.
This float from my original 72 carb is quite distinctive with one float wider than the other and cut outs on the top side. Is this similar to the three you have in yours? Alex.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:06 pm
Author: ROZZER
Pigford - problem is mate that I can't adjust it to get the correct fuel height, just too far out, the tang is bent to a fairly extreme angle to get anywhere near, don't want to bend it too far and risk damage unless I can get a spare and experiment with bending the carrier.

Rang John Browse today and he says that he has one, so have bought it, will only know if its correct when it arrives, if its same as the odd one then maybe I can experiment with bending it.

Just a thought, what would be the effect of adding another sealing washer under the float needle valve to lower it, hence not have to bend the float as much? My guess is no adverse affect 'cos all it does is meter fuel into the bowl - comments?

Alexander - My floats are not the same as the one you have photographed mate, they don't have that step down at the end of the flat on the float. Thanks for the comments.