cleaning carbs

pahako

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Hi everyone. Newbie here and I could use some help. I have an 81 650 special. Got it started and had a little gas coming out the left carb through the air filter. I took the carbs off and found the float to be stuck on the left side. What I would like to know is how do you remove the float pivot pin so I can take the float off. I can't seem to move it.

Thanks

Paul
 
Here's the safest way to get it out. Safest because some ways risk breaking one of the posts the pin goes through.

Get a tool like this -
http://www.adafruit.com/products/152

Mine is from Radio Shack. Put it under the head of the pin and squeeze hard enough to get it under the head, and then lever the handle end down, pulling the pin out like pulling a nail out of wood. You only need to pull it the first 1/16"; then it comes out by hand. When you put it back in, it doesn't have to be so tight. The bowl will keep the pin from coming all the way out.
 
Those look like they would work great.

I have always been able to manage with a good set of needle nosed pliers. Grab the end, twist, and pull.
 
I use a small pair of pliers that are a little bent. I put the one end on the pin and the other on the back of the same post. Then a nice little "pop" and it comes free.
One thing I will recommend is to NOT pry or twist the pin in anyway other than straight back when you are pulling it out. They bend very easily and will become tight in the posts. This can cause the floats to not move freely. It is sometimes not very noticable and will slow the float movement.
 
Have you read www.amckayltd.com/carbguide.pdf yet? If not you should. Print it out and read it till you see it in your dreams. It will help you. about as much as having a repair manual.
I've been tinkering my 75 for about 6 years, rebuilt the whole bike from the ground up. The engine a second time to fix some things I missed an to add the 750 kit.
I still sit down and read the repair books and the carb guide.
I still pick up small things now and again.
I'd almost bet some of the folks with many more years with these bikes than I, do too.
Leo
 
Those look like they would work great.

They do. A couple of things you might not be able to see in the picture is they have about a 20 degree bend in them so you can cut flush but keep your fingers off the work surface, and also the the top is hollowed out while the bottom is flush. Makes them perfect. Just to be sure - you don't cut the pin with these :) Just get it under the head and lever it out. The usual use for them is cutting the leads that stick out the solder side of circuit boards off after you've changed a component.
 
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