float repair?

moonie527

New Member
So I got my carb rebuild kit (still waiting on the replacement for the missing jet) and went out to start the rebuild process. When I removed the float I noticed that one side was full of gas. My question is can I repair the pinhole and if so, what do I use? I know that I am being cheap and impatient but I don't want to have to wait another week till the part comes in. I've had the bike a week and a half and have only gone around the block on it once when it was barely running. Any suggestions?
 
small hijack if i may...
one of my floats is dented, is there a fix for that either?

ta
 
The float I peeled out of one of the carbs on my cb350 had JB weld on it. I lasted about 200 mi before it went south and started pouring gas out of the overflow 5 seconds before a group ride.

JB weld should work for a while but don't wait for it to fail again. Be sure you clean up the area well with light steel wool and alcohol before glueification.

Josh
 
Yes, solder it!! JB weld is kinda sketchy. Just make sure you don't put gobs and gobs of solder on your float or it will change the weight of it a fair bit, which isn't something you want. Just clean it, rough it up with steel wool or sand paper, fix the hole with as little solder as possible and have at er!
 
Well, I have a solution for my problem, what about Liam's dents? I wouldn't think dents would pose a problem unless they are quite large.
 
Yes, solder would be a better way to go about it. However, if you have no torch or no soldering experiance jb weld is gas safe but is a last resort.
 
moonie527 said:
Well, I have a solution for my problem, what about Liam's dents? I wouldn't think dents would pose a problem unless they are quite large.
i took the bottom off, and took a picture, basically the dome of the float has been inverted on both floats in one carb. it almost looks deliberate, i can't imagine how it would build up enough pressure to crush the float accidentally.
so i was thinking i could drill a hole in each side, and then pull the dent with a wire hook, and solder the hole up, but guess if there's no easy fix i should buy new floats. i was hoping not to spend any money on the carbs because i wanted to check the motor runs before upgrading to mikuni carbs.

so this isn't normal is it?
 
Unless your bike was salvaged from the bottom of the ocean, pressure would not crush your float ;) Somebody probably dropped the carb while the float bowl was removed. As long as it doesn't leak, I wouldn't worry about it. There will be enough buoyancy to activate the float valve.
 
liam said:
i took the bottom off, and took a picture, basically the dome of the float has been inverted on both floats in one carb. it almost looks deliberate, i can't imagine how it would build up enough pressure to crush the float accidentally.
so i was thinking i could drill a hole in each side, and then pull the dent with a wire hook, and solder the hole up, but guess if there's no easy fix i should buy new floats. i was hoping not to spend any money on the carbs because i wanted to check the motor runs before upgrading to mikuni carbs.

so this isn't normal is it?

Try gentlly heating it with a lighter. As the air expands inside the float it will push out the dents.
 
oops.

i chucked it in some boiling water, and then heated it up with a gas flame, the air inside definitely expanded but only succeeded in bursting the soldered seam at the back. i may take off the back the whole way, push out the dent, and then solder it back up. i can't damage it any more after all.

anyway, thanks for the tips, it was worth a shot.
 
water in the float bowl can freeze and crush them

if using solder consider that you can be adding exrta weight so use ONLY what it takes and consider sanding off excess
 
if you can find them I have these alloy brazing stocks that have the flux/ alloy all together in one rod. you heat up the object to be sealed and as soon as the rod melts it creates amazing welds. I will get you the name of the stuff. It can be sanded and painted with acid etching primer for the first layer.
I bought it a few years back at the state fair. I have done the top of my triple trees and a few other parts. apparently they use to use it in ww II for the fighters fighting to keep the UK free. patches large areas very nicely.

mortikan
 
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