Carburetor Float Height Adjust/Check

Thinking about moving forward with tearing your carburetors down? Not sure what to look for when you get in there? Float height is crucial and should not be skipped in this process. Learn exactly how to check and adjust your float heights to ensure your carburetors function.
FLOAT LEVEL GAUGE: amzn.to/2excVGk
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[@lmdetect]

Wow. All the vids I've watched on carbs, and NONE showed how to set the float. I always drain my carbs before storing my bike..... except this last time. Now my air box and crank case filled up with gas. You have confirmed that it's likely a stuck float. This will be my first dance with motorcycle carbs. Thanks for your vid!

[@donovanlucibello379]

Gotten to the point now where I just click like before watching the video - have never been let down. I have so much to learn, thanks for sharing MotorcycleMD!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thanks man!!

[@joemilich]

That's standard for me.

[@tomlawrence1471]

Loving the channel so far! Just discovered you yesterday and already been thru about 6 videos. The way you break things down so anyone can understand & showing detailed step by step is fantastic. I've had a very hard time finding a channel that is knowledgeable, has good video quality & good audio quality. Well done Sir, you are all of the above. Much appreciated!

[@jmh9932]

I have minimal experience with carbs but thanks to this I now feel VERY confident that I can adjust it correctly. I know I have a flooding carb and it is almost guaranteed to be a stuck float, and since I have it off I am going to put in a jet kit, but I want to do it right the first time and checking the float level is a crucial part of that. Thanks man!

[@kings17court]

I've been trying to get information on setting the float to manual specs, and NOTHING I found even came close to this great tutorial. Nicely done. Thanks. By the way, the audio was totally fine.

[@timkis64]

thanks bud,i know my way around holleys from years of experience.but this is my first time rebuilding a rack of kehins.i got to buy me a float gauge.it all makes sence now.i appreciate you takin the time to teach an old dog new tricks.

[@Grazetech]

Wow! Best explanation by a USA mile! The anomalies between other explanations I've encountered now make sense. I believe others are unaware of the need to gently roll the housing stopping to measure only where the valve first shuts off the fuel flow is not well known leading to much discussion and confusion. This is the first time I've heard this and everything now makes sense. thanks from Tasmania

[@tomreyes4908]

Great explanation. Thanks and will be tackling my Sabre V45 this weekend..Now I understand completely.

[@mongoosevacations]

Thank you. I can now correctly adjust my new floats after I rebuilt my carbs on my boat motor. It is very rich.

[@matdube3577]

Hey Cody, I learned so much watching your videos. I just bought a 1997 shadow ace 1100 and I can’t wait to perform all these maintenance tasks by myself. 🤓

[@fibroboy1604]

Thanks for the videos mate, really helping me set up my 99r6 track bike.

[@lynnh7694]

Cool video, nice and easy explanation. I adjusted my KLX 650 and it runs like a new bike.

[@RogerDiotte]

Thanks for this step...doing it now on my 84 VT750C....

[@michaeldunagan8268]

I just ordered a float gauge heeding your advice.

[@robp9696]

Me too, just this afternoon.

[@notsteve1475]

your a natural teacher Subbed

[@paulevanzo6896]

WOT A DIAMOND NO NONSENSE EASY TO UNDERSTAND EXPERT NATURAL TUTOR. THANK YOU

[@MrConcordskiy]

Thank you for detailed explanations! Youre a great mechanic!

[@fernandoduran1978]

Thank you very much 4 this video! Been having trouble with my 1988 honda shadow 600 carburator. Thanks again

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Your welcome!

[@lewismcrae4271]

Excellent just what I was looking for you helped me out 100percent thanks

[@petertirone7078]

Huge help...I'm pretty sure I adjusted my floats the first way resulting in lean condition to the point where even one cylinder wasn't firing correctly. Thank you.

[@frerecampbell9291]

Thanks for an amazing explanation and I'd discovered that float-rod was the possible culprit, not free pivoting enough.

[@CigSmerker]

you are very good at explaining stuff my friend!

[@colcroud7458]

Fantastic video clear and precise

[@tobiaswattmanlundstig8842]

Thanx man, Good info and really sweet way of explaining, i found this to be really helpful! From northern arctic Sweden, riding Enduro Gasgas 300 Nordic Racing with a little carb flowt malfunction...

[@DBenX]

Thanks for your excellent video and explanations.

[@EBthere]

Excellent video. Thank you!!

[@dersteirer74]

very informative and comprehensible

[@desmondmcguinness4668]

good explanation dude keep up the good work xx

[@swaynie2000]

Amazing guide

[@delberthughes4170]

Thank for all the information.

[@thedaydreamer7972]

Really good content here, when it comes to working on the carb its always best to take your time and be very meticulus in the way you clean it, be very thorough,,,you wold be amazed how you could keep it simple and bring a bikes power back to life,,,clean the carb, make sure jetting is apprpriate, inspect valves, inspect float height,,,,,In many cases, doing those 4 things will solve all your power issues if done correctly

[@bob119911]

fantastic video buddy !

[@lalrosanga7920]

Great explanation.

[@alanwoods4925]

Nice! Great stuff. Thanks for the info.

[@bc-mr1si]

great explanation. i was told to flick carb upside down then measure and float would sit level .ill give your method a bash .thanks

[@johngrimes3117]

GREAT vid!!! MUCH appreciated!

[@rokyluk]

Great! Very helpful!

[@Moon-magic109]

Thank you. Very useful

[@owl1873]

Thank you for the proper tool tip, im goring to buy one.

[@josephbriggs_859]

I like the new intro . great video.keep it up .

[@Andres162011]

Very useful thanks dealing with leaky petcock that’s bout to open carb make sure everything okay in there with the seat , currently have gas Oder in oil

[@Gus-cg9yp]

Great video, thanks

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Gustavo Bongioanni Glad to help!

[@austech360]

11:08 My bike uses that same set of carbs! Love them cb750/900s Same carb body, different jets. :P

[@adrianlawrence4807]

Ya man - quality video🧔🏾👍🏾 ThAnkYoU 🥁

[@fishandreptileinfo]

Well explained, thank you (UK)

[@grahammorris738]

Thanks for your help on getting my float s sorted cheers ace video gray from the United kingdom

[@lance7413]

Good video

[@neildunne6594]

Thanks Pal

[@davidrennicks2484]

Thank you, this is one of the best informative videos i have seen. This man should be a teacher!!! Can you please tell me the float setting on my 1983 XV750 ? regards Dave,

[@amcgee-dl3cj]

he is a teacher. its kind of what he does. i could be wrong, but according to the first hit on google, 19mm.

[@greaserleo]

Great stuff! Cheers

[@tracylebo8009]

So the carb in front of u does the needle sit under the carb or does it sit on the lil flap on the carb

[@Mototistampls]

Thanks Cody! You just made my day with this video! I just ordered the gauge from the link. I’m working on my 1981 Kawasaki kz440b and can’t find the float level set number. Can you please help me?!

[@qfina]

I cannot quite believe what an incredible video this is! I have watched tons of videos on tons of subjects, and never found a single video that answered EVERYTHING, and explained in such simple, but detailed format. Much less when it comes to mechanics! Many many thanks!

[@gzell225]

I wouldn't mind buying that set you were working on there.. They were pretty clean from what I've seen

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

G Zell They where I cleaned them! They are long gone now though brother.

[@mikeosvold4509]

Thanks for doing these videos, they help me a lot. I am restoring a 1985 lt250r. The floats are actually captured in the bottom of the float bowl. It seems difficult for me to get the metal float arm to just barely rest on the float valve. Any tricks of the trade for this type of carb? Also would a rich float height make my quad urinate through the overflow tube?

[@richw1907]

Hay, good vid, im working on magna carbs and all float levels are a mess, BUT, what about the cleaner vid dealing with the best effect on needles and rubber like you mentioned here??? im interested, thanks

[@steelbender58]

Thanks bro, exactly what i was looking for cause i bumped mine while jetting. AND... I have a vt1100 so this was great

[@jamesphelps9573]

One of my float needles on my 84 vf700c magna was all corroded looking and stuck in the valve seat. Would that cause the float to overfill possibly and get oil in the Air box? When taking it off it looked oily? These videos are awesome. I'll be showing another Honda mechanic your videos.

[@SebastianDiLuise]

Hi Cody! I watched your video time ago and each time I take out the carburator, really helpful and easy to understand. I have a ShadowVT 700 1986 (taking the carb out is a pain in the back ) I have a problem that hope you can give me a hint. I rebuild and clean the carb, #112 with a little shim / #45 slowjet, new floats, diaphragms and boots, the carb is good as "new" old 30 year bike! Bike is original but exhaust system (long pipes, little custom silencer), I came from #42 slowjets (as I had to give it almost 5/6 turns out for it to idle and work good with little back fire, but as you might know the pilot screw is useless this way). Now having #45 slowjets and have almost 4,5/5 turns out for it to idle and work good. At high speed bike runs just fine, at least it wont show any rattling on acceleration. So here my question (sorry for the extent), can this problem be because the float level is too low or too high? so the bike needs more turns out of the pilot screw for it to be richer? in any case, might I need more mm of float level? (I measure it with a caliber each time 8mm to 9mm, cant get the precise tool from Amazon) Thanks!

[@lakemarine484]

This is a great video. It would have been nice if you show how to actually adjust the "diving board" though! One of my float lobes is exactly 7mm but the other lobe is 6mm so guess i need to bend the tang at a slight angle to get them parallel (same height)?

[@luis0luis058]

I have that problem with the float staying up, the question is why the gasoline doesn't go down the overflow hose.

[@DustyRandall]

Awesome

[@HoustonR6ryda]

Thank you...let my 01R6 set for about 5 years.Tried a carb cleaning/rebuild got it to start,but gas was pouring down into the engine and gas is in the oil.

[@garyconstant4234]

Ok cody I’ve got a virago 535. Can I check the height while the carbs are still on the bike as they are a pain to get on and off 🙄 great video

[@darkshadowsx5949]

I got a dirty 4 carb from ebay and my floats are set way too high. gas either drains out or gets in the air filter, and the bike doesn't want to idle. i didn't know about the angle thing and had mine sitting straight up. it was at ~ 4mm higher than it should be even if i did adjust it there it would still be off according to this. thanks for the clear instructions and how to/not to do it. my manual says nothing about float adjustment. does it matter how far it dangles down held upside down? (like or heart this comment if you answer so i can get notified.) honestly im surprised i got the bike to run for an hour last year seeing how the floats weren't even level or correctly positioned. although when reved up it did stick.

[@jasonellis5614]

Awesome video, have a question i have a 03 honda shadow 600vlx. And have a brownish color dripping out of the bottom of my carb. Is that from the float or something else?

[@cbrider726]

Great stream .Many thanks . Just sortingf out carbs on a Kawasaki Zephyer 550 and haveing issues . Now i have a problem to the air mixture screws . How many turns out should they be . The book said 3/4 of a turn out and i dont think that thats right . I am sure that is 3 1/2 turns to start with . What do you think ??? Thanks for the stream 👍👍👍👍

[@user-ws2mr7sb5x]

Hi cody if u ajust yor float must u turn yor needle up or down to get it perfect

[@davidleverett5236]

I have a '06 Suzuki Vinson Quad Runner 500 4x4. I don't have a manual. Is there anyway that you have the specs on the float level? I really enjoy watching your videos! I know you work on a lot of Hondas, but maybe you can help me with this? Thanks!

[@65mustanggeorge]

Hi guys need a Little info have a 97 eliminator 600 need float level setting for said bike thanks guys keep riding !😎

[@PierreClavie]

Have a 2003 VT750DC Shadow spirit, rebuilt carbs, after sitting several years when friend owned it. Found two quarts of fuel in crank case. After rebuild, floods out and dies, seems like floats are off. Know the measurement for the floats?? Thanks for your time!

[@louisrobinson80]

Hey do know what the float level should be on 1985 honda interceptor 700?

[@panhead16]

Would my floats being out of adjustment be why my bike leaks gas when it's running? It's a 2000 nighthawk cb750

[@ulephone1918]

Hello Cody I bought a Suzuki Bandit 1200 S, 5 gallon tank, gravity feed to carbs. The previous owner lived in Drexel, North Carolina. I rode the bike back to South Florida. I have experience a rich mixture smell. I took the motorcycle to my mechanic who informed me that the carbs were rejected for higher altitudes. My question is, what can I do to cut back on the rich mixture??? I am David

[@donspencer4301]

Hey Cody, new subscriber here. Just bought a '87 Honda Rebel 250cc and it seems to be bogging down at times. At other times, it feels like it got kicked in the arse with nitro! I'm thinking it's possibly the carb. Question is, did you make the carb cleaner comparison video? I'm trying Seafoam's gas additive with high grade premium fuel. I haven't felt a difference yet.

[@onesourceconstructionllc524]

What is your opinion on a bike that will only run at full rpms intermittently? When it rarely runs right (it is a 4 wheeler) hold on. But it just keeps getting worse and has backfiring issues through exhaust.

[@anthonyskorner4511]

Hey Cody, I have a CV on my Sportster. If I adjust the idle up on it it pulls fuel up through the emulsion tube at idle. Is that normal?

[@nickyg9429]

Question??????? I have a 2002 Polaris 500 sportsman 500 and it leaks fuel from the overflow. This is a brand new carb and was also doing with the original. Can that be fixed with the needle adjustment????

[@onsatsatelliteservice8593]

hello kodi i have question i need to answer it as soon as possible what if i put bike carb in 30 or 45 dgree to engine what will happen i do that and i found gas flow out side and inside engine however engine is working but idel is lean and back fire and bleck smake i need to know what is solution for that issue

[@ShortbusRejects]

I have independant floats and can't find a single video or posting. Any help? aftermarket carb for a 1983 yz490. I either get too much fuel or not enough.

[@henrryvilleta9136]

Hello Bro, how do i know that my carburetor needs to be replace?, my mechanic is telling me that i need a new carburetor, i was thinking that with a replacement kit and new floats i will be enough but he is telling me that it won't change anything. I have a Cb750 1981.

[@MrTrolo26]

I have a '95 Yamaha FZR 600. Do you happen to know the height I need to adjust the floats to?

[@joespratling]

I feel like I’m losing power at high rpms. 95 shadow 1100 I cleaned the jets and it runs good but it feels lacking once get upto speed could this be a float problem? I did not check them while I had it apart

[@clavebajo6709]

What's the float level for a 1993 honda shadow vt1100 is it the same you did 9.2

[@NathanSharpe-hy4og]

Float leavel for a 1989 gl 1500 goldwing in mm

[@thomasfinch5605]

How does float level affect fuel delivery at constant throttle? I'm having an issue on my DR350SE where I'm noticing stuttering/lurching at constant throttle (not rolling on or off).

[@bb-ballistics1706]

Ive had problems with my float. I replaced the float valve and seat put it all back together. Came back the next day. Still hard to start from cold. Leaking out the overflow..i took the carb off again and checked the float height. Put it back together. Same issue. Very hard to start from cold but from warm or hot it goes first kick..ive also just realised i measured the float looking down on to the float. I.e the float was sat down with gravity on to the float valve. So i will have got the wrong reading... Im guessing thats whats causing my hard starting and carb overflow issue?

[@jamesparker9700]

Hey man I have a VTR 250 I can't find what the height is for the floats would you know what it is

[@billlester3088]

Can you help identifying the following carburetor model number and perhaps carb ASSY illustration: Carb. markings: Mikuni and just below the name appears Japan followed by T/A and digits 16 in the air inlet barrel. am also interested in the float height. thanks

[@ricksspringfield45]

At what point do you check the square floats?

[@danielsimmons6408]

What are the specs for a 75 Honda ct90 carb floats

[@joetomarazzo3807]

Hey Cody. Enjoy ur forums. What would be the float height on a 05 honda aero vt750c. Thankyou.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

18.5mm

[@rossponds5379]

Where do I need to set my float at on a 2003 Honda VTX 1300 S it's getting way too much gas flooding the plugs in the cylinders if you could let me know really would appreciate it

[@bigwheel53]

I have cleaned up the carbs on my Virago, Suzuki 550 and now im rebuilding carbs on a 82 gs750. I have never adjusted the floats but on this bike I want it to be right before I put it together. Problem.. I have the tool but cant find the specs on the floats..HELP!

[@Aciecarter238]

Do you know the float height for a 82 kz 305

[@notsogreat123]

Measuring float height is a very rough adjustment. What you really need to do is to measure the actual fuel height in the bowl.

[@baerrrr]

Hey cody ! Just another question: saw the keihin vb54 (?) carb u pulled out. U know The right float level for it? Cheers! Keep up the good work

[@samwittstruck.6685]

beary the bear

[@markneidlinger4503]

I have a 2003 Honda vt750 dcb ,I put a new choke cable on , now bike backfires ,how can I fix it

[@oomrah9748]

What about non-adjustable float boats

[@waltercooper2674]

First bike 99 cbr 600f4 When I give it gas it’s sputtering it has no power then it finally accelerates what can be the problem

[@normanbuffett4642]

will this technique work for any cv carb. my service manual describes a totally different way of checking level. including using calipers with carb slanting at 45 deg angle. 2003 Suzuki VL800

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Norman Buffett I have seen different ways of checking float heights on different styled carbs. Especially on side draft style carbs. The technique I'm showing covers every Honda motorcycle, atv, scooter as far back that I know. If your manual says otherwise I would follow that.

[@normanbuffett4642]

received float gauge measured using your technique float need slight tweek now along with new jets and cleaning my VL800 is running top notch

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Norman that is awesome! I try to deliver only precise professional tips! So glad you got it figured out! Be looking out on the website www.motorcyclemd.com I'm working on some subscriber only content and a new post on winterizing your bike!