HELP - I have a stuck float

[GeorgiaPlum]

This has happened 2 times now.  I had the bike fall over on its side while practicing my swerve and stop technique, and once i got it back up, my overflow leaks like mad.  I have had this happen before and i was able to clean up the spark plugs, and then there was enough fire power to blow the float free.

Well...not working so well this time, and i even replaced the plugs. I think it's really wedged in there due to how much gas will leak out if i leave it on.

Any suggestions on how to get the float unstuck?  And what should i do to prevent it from happening again?  Two times down....two times stuck float.  I could maybe understand if it was a good wreck or something, but my speed was under a couple miles an hour.

I would really love to be able to fix this myself and prevent it from happenig again.  ANY help i can get it much appreciated.

[callmelenny]

Sometimes a sharp tap on the float bowl will unstick things. TAP is the key, don't go crazy on it. I used a rubber mallet and a piece of wood to avoid damaging things.

It may also be a signal that you need to do some carb cleaning.

[GeorgiaPlum]

Already tried that.  Have even taken it down a couple of curbs in hopes of jarring it loose.  It's stuck good!

Any other suggestions.

[callmelenny]

It is possible to remove the float bowls without pulling the carbs. This is easy if you have replaced the bowl screws with allen bolts. If the original phillips head screws are there it can be tough.

If you can get them off you can easily check the float operations.


Taking the carbs off isn't that hard, just have to pull the airbox and tank to get to them.

[GeorgiaPlum]

I can give that a shot.  I'm assuming with the gas off, once the remaining gas in the bowls in emptied i will be all clear for removing them?  I have my Clymer i can consult, but just trying to get a visual before i get myself into something i'll regret taking on.