[axelwik]

imported post

mag wrote:

If my float level was too high, why wouldn't the plug read black, ie, running rich. With the plugs almost all white, could the bike be running lean, ie not enough fuel delivery in carb 1, and causing higher fuel consumption overall?

With the additives in today's fuels it's very hard to judge mixture from looking at the spark plugs unless they are completely fouled.

When mine was running too rich all the plugs except one (which was fouled) were almost white. Can't tell anymore.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

mag wrote:

So if my mileage has gone down, and it seems like it's not getting enough fuel at startup, would this still suggest a flooding problem? I assume this is why my float bowl screw is seeping gas, though maybe it is just worn.

If your float bowl screw is seeping gas then I think the fuel level is too high in that carb. The fuel level shouln't be high enough to come out of one of the float bowl screws!

Here are some things to check: Binding or bent float pivotpin, float valve pin not seating inside valve body, foreign object inside float valve, float valve seat or pin damaged, hole in float allowing fuel to fill the float, and float bowl gasket interfering with float action.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

Well, you definitely need to find out why its binding. Your bike will never run right with a binding float. There should be absolutely no resistance to the float travelling up and down. Try running a pipe cleaner soaked in carb cleaner through the float pivot hole... there could be some junk in there. Then look through the hole to make sure its perfectly round. If the pivot pin hole is crushed or out of round you might need to replace the float.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

mag wrote:

Thanks, Marco. Both the pin and the float pin hole are clear and smooth. The problem actually seems to be with the carb casting. The pin slides in smoothly, and when it reaches the last 1/4 of the way, i have to tap it in. I think it causes a 'wow' in the pivot pin at this point?

Try installing the pin from the other side.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

Sounds like you got it fixed. Let us know how it goes...