^^^^ Agree as well. And BTW, a higher float height (more fuel in the bowl) enrichens the mixture, aso.
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Miss November XS2 tribute
- Thread starter Raymond
- Start date
Have ordered two 'spare' float bowl drain plugs, so's I can bodge fuel level gauges.
Hi Raymond, where did you order them from?
Yambits. Only £6.99 each plus p&p. Must be pattern parts - Yambits get a lot of stuff manufactured for the XS - but that's fine.
Today, couple of 'test rides'. The good news - no longer drip, drip, dripping petrol. And the charging is healthy, shows 14.7 or so on the very cheap Chinese volt meter.
Very reluctant this morning - took about twelve kicks to light the fire, and had to put the choke lever down which it don't usually need. Well, it was a chilly autumn morning. Warmed up for a couple of minutes, still farty and wouldn't settle to a reliable tick-over. It's running quite well, eager enough on a bit of throttle but not happy when you shut it down a bit. Took a look at the plugs and I think they're a bit white - took a photo but not good enough to share.
So I suspect it's running a bit weak, looking forward to measuring the fuel height.
This afternoon took to Tweedbank and shoved some petrol in. My goodness, the Middle East war has pushed prices up, £1.899/litre - possibly $9.20 per US gallon if I've done me arithmetic right.
Noted the mileage and it looked a bit familiar, so when we got home checked the W800. The XS, first registered 1978, has recorded mileage 39,432, Polly, first registered 2014, has recorded mileage 39,466. Only 34 miles difference despite their vastly different life histories!
Very reluctant this morning - took about twelve kicks to light the fire, and had to put the choke lever down which it don't usually need. Well, it was a chilly autumn morning. Warmed up for a couple of minutes, still farty and wouldn't settle to a reliable tick-over. It's running quite well, eager enough on a bit of throttle but not happy when you shut it down a bit. Took a look at the plugs and I think they're a bit white - took a photo but not good enough to share.
So I suspect it's running a bit weak, looking forward to measuring the fuel height.
This afternoon took to Tweedbank and shoved some petrol in. My goodness, the Middle East war has pushed prices up, £1.899/litre - possibly $9.20 per US gallon if I've done me arithmetic right.
Noted the mileage and it looked a bit familiar, so when we got home checked the W800. The XS, first registered 1978, has recorded mileage 39,432, Polly, first registered 2014, has recorded mileage 39,466. Only 34 miles difference despite their vastly different life histories!
If you're now running a bit lean, it sounds to me like there's been an issue developing with the float chamber needle valve assemblies for sometime.
Hmm, I think the way the bikes runs feels qualitatively different from how it was before - I might have upset things a bit by messing with the float tabs. And I didn't measure the float heights as they were with the old needles. I just know that when I fitted the new shorter needles, the floats sat lower, almost up against the roof of the float chamber.
That sounds odd but we're measuring with the carbs inverted . . .
That sounds odd but we're measuring with the carbs inverted . . .
Obviously, best to check actual fuel level as you're doing.
Well, I tried to drill a hole in one of the brass plugs but that weren't gonna work - even though I made a centre punch mark, the bit just wanted to wander. So I've invested in a drill press and press vice. Poor man's pillar drill. If it doesn't work, bugger but not too much wasted. But being more positive, if it makes it possible to drill vertical holes uhm vertical and where I want them then it's a great investment.
Good thinking. I bought a Chinesium plug in bench pillar drill from Screwfix. It was not expensive. (Bought a bench grinder too). As you'd expect, the drill spindle has about a half millimetre of free play in it but it has a 1/2" chuck and it will actually drill 1/2" in mild steel. But it hasn't got any accuracy to speak of. It's fine for drilling stuff like exhaust hangers, general bracketry and things. Wouldn't be any use for anything needing any accuracy, but I didn't buy it for that.
I have something like that and are disappointed .. It is difficult to get drill where I want and the drill machine wants to stall when
pulling the handle . Even though I try new bits and being soft on the handle.
I tend to drill by hand and adjusting the rpm for the drill bit to cut properly .But have been doing so at least 4 years working in sheet metal
professionally
I then have to option to lean the machine off the vertical line and steering the holes in a desired direction at the start.
Punch mark is good but dont always use that either
But the one I have can be a poor design Hopefully yours is better.
I hope so.
I have a good drill press and am looking at a 4'' press vice like the one shown . Keep us posted when you test it.
An old, odd drilling on center "trick": Clamp the drill bit in the vice and chuck the drain plug in your drill. 
it will be MUCH easier to get a centered hole.
it will be MUCH easier to get a centered hole.
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I have been thinking about this for days. Bought a drill press even, but now have shelled out - not very expensive tbh - for some pin vices. I was unaware of this tool type. Basically, it holds a small drill bit - you hold & press down with one hand while twiddling the chuck and drill with the other. So it's a hand drill. My ai asst assures me that brass is soft enough that I'll get through. Also sourced some 3mm copper tube.
Oh, found that you can buy a fuel level gauge for Mikuni carbs. Same design, a float-bowl drain plug with a clear plastic tube. Only problem is, it's considered a workshop tool and is listed at $114. Gulp.
Oh, found that you can buy a fuel level gauge for Mikuni carbs. Same design, a float-bowl drain plug with a clear plastic tube. Only problem is, it's considered a workshop tool and is listed at $114. Gulp.
