NGC - Bing float levels

[ohiorider]

Today was time to do the valve check/adjustment on the GS.  While at it, I thought I'd check the float levels (twin Bings), and found the float on the right side had to be dropped several more degrees before fuel would flow.  After some fiddling with a small screw driver and equally small needle nose pliars, I was able to arrive at having both carbs start spritzing fuel when I had the float aligned with the carb body per my BMW master tech.  I'm sure there must be some sort of precision tool for bending the float tab vs pliars, but don't recall ever reading any discussion of that tool.

One would think that as carbs evolved, either Guzzi, BMW or some of the Japanese mfgs would have arrived at a better way to set float levels ..... I'm thinking perhaps a sight glass on the float (or simply a glass float bowl, and some way of going thru the top of the float chamber thru some sort of port,  where the float level could have been adjusted with a small tool, maybe an allen wrench to a set screw on top of the float.  Was there ever such a carb?

It's a moot point in today's fuel injection world.  But just wondering ................... ...

Anyway, she ran fine for nearly 100 miles on an unusually nice November afternoon.  Tomorrow may be another like today.  Probably a 1200 Sport kind of day.

[oldbike54]

 Kinda like the handlebar shims for Pirsig's BMW riding friend , don't think BMW ever made a tool for that Bob .

  Dusty

[guzzisteve]

No such tool Bob. I use a screwdriver & my fingers. You can get a clear float bowl. If it is changing, could be the floats are taking on fluid, which is common w/bings.

Get a set of DelOrto's and let the power loose.

[ohiorider]

OK, guys ---- you've convinced me.  No such tool.  Guzzi Steve, I know floats can simply sink, and I didn't check for that today.  But what I did notice was that the GS, when I parked it on the sidestand to open the garage door, engine running,  would begin sputtering slightly when I got back on and straightened the bike up.  Made me think that perhaps one float was not adjusted properly.  Seems that was the case, since each float bowl contained different levels of fuel when I removed them.  I had the bike level, on the centerstand, when I removed the bowls.

When I eyeballed each float to see where it was in relation to the carb body, the left side would begin releasing fuel when the float was level with the carb body.  The right side required me to continue lowering the float several more degrees before fuel would flow thru the float needle.

What I did today was to assure that both float needles would release fuel into the bowls when they were lowered to the same angle.

Excuse the explanation .... probably more confusing than it needs to be.  I'll try to post a diagram I made a few years ago IF I can get P bucket to cooperate.

Long and short ..... bike seems to run better with the adjustment.

EDIT:  Here's the powerpoint I made a few years back, in an effort to graphically display what my favorite BMW mechanic had told me.