Motorcycle Repair: floats on 82 kz 440 ltd, kz 440, excess fuel

Question
Hey chris, i was wondering if you could give me a ball park idea on how to set the floats on my bike.  it has been sitting for a few months, i pulled the carbs, disassembled, soaked, cleaned and then bench synchonized as best i could.  I am working without a mauual, but figure i should be able to get them close.  thanks in advance for any help you can pass on.

Answer
Hi Bruce.

To start with, I do suggest that you get the repair manual.  It has specifics on the bike and on many things that you are already working on.

As far as the floats; as long as you haven't changed the settings on the floats, then they should be just fine.  If you have, then you really do need the repair manual because the illustrations will give you a better idea than a description that I could give you, but here goes;

 Basically, the tang, that sits between the to floats in each carb, needs to sit flush against the inlet hole seal when the floats are at the top of their travel.  If it is not flush, then the carbs will spill excess fuel into the mixture and the bike will run rich or it will shut off the fuel too soon causing the bike to run like it hasn't enough fuel.

Start by getting the repair manual and then go over your work so far.  Make sure that all is well and see what happens when you try to start the bike.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON