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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: mjmcondor on October 17, 2006, 09:44:44 AM

Title: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: mjmcondor on October 17, 2006, 09:44:44 AM
How do I drain the float bowls?  I can't find anything in my Clymer's manual about this unless I overlooked it.  I think I know how but I am not certain.  Any pics in the explination would be appreciated.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: mjn12 on October 17, 2006, 09:49:06 AM
At the bottom of each carb you should see a little nipple and a screw, Plug a piece of aquarium tubing onto that nipple and direct the other end into some suitable container and then loosen the screw.  If theres anything in the float bowls it will drain out. Repeat for the other carb. 

Make sure you have the fuel supply from the tank shut off. Otherswise the floats will just keep filling up.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: mjmcondor on October 17, 2006, 09:51:40 AM
sounds like what i though it was, minus the fuel shutoff which is obviously necessary.
drain screw and spout from this image:
(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/DSCF2431_Idle_Drain_Mixture_Screws.jpg)

about how long does it take for one to drain?

...thanks
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: mjn12 on October 17, 2006, 09:55:25 AM
Shouldn't be more than a minute or two, if theres lots of fuel sitting in the lines you may have to drain all this out (it will come out through here too, which will make it take longer.

For a pic go here
http://www.bbburma.net/FloatHeight.htm

The first one shows the drain nipple.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: mjn12 on October 17, 2006, 10:01:02 AM
oops, didn't see the pic before I posed that link.

Quote from: mjmcondor on October 17, 2006, 09:51:40 AM
sounds like what i though it was, minus the fuel shutoff which is obviously necessary.

The obvious things tend to be the easiest to forget and the hardest to catch once you've written them off.
This is definately a lesson learned from experience.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: Toner on May 19, 2018, 09:42:41 AM
If I've taken the carbs off the bike, is there a way to drain the float bowls with out loosening those screws? They are very tight and I'm sending the carb out to get cleaned and refurbed.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: alpo on May 19, 2018, 12:24:16 PM
The only other way to get the all fuel out is to remove the float bowls.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: Toner on May 19, 2018, 04:46:56 PM
Was able to unscrew one side. nothing came out.
The other is totally stripped. Might take it out with an extractor before I send it out.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: upsguy on May 19, 2018, 06:33:04 PM
If you've been able to get the carbs off the bike you are able to take them apart and clean them yourself and replace gaskets/o-rings/clean out jets, etc.  You're already half way there.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: sledge on May 20, 2018, 12:52:27 AM
Quote from: Toner on May 19, 2018, 04:46:56 PM
Was able to unscrew one side. nothing came out.
The other is totally stripped. Might take it out with an extractor before I send it out.

I am going to guess you were not using the correct JIS screwdrivers and that is why it rounded off. :dunno_black:

If you are sending the carbs to Matt leave it and let him deal with it. I doubt very much you will successfully remove that screw without causing further damage.
Title: Re: How Do I Drain the Float Bowls?
Post by: herennow on May 20, 2018, 03:49:41 AM
Hi, you don't need the fuel supply shut off when using stock petcocks, the lack of vacuum will keep them closed - unless you have it set on prime.

Quote from: mjn12 on October 17, 2006, 09:49:06 AM
Make sure you have the fuel supply from the tank shut off. Otherswise the floats will just keep filling up.

Cheers