Float Needle Clip

[Barry]

I've been checking my carb float levels and decided to remove the floats to check the arms were not bent. I had the usual struggle with the fiddly float needle clip that's designed to pull the needle down should it get stuck.

Did I put it back correctly ?

This is how they came off but that doesn't mean it's correct. Can't find an image of this on the net anywhere. Maybe the Bing manual shows it.

[Bob_Roller]

Looks a proper installation to me .

[Crossrodes]

Are these needle clips necessary?  When I recently took my carbs apart one had the clip the other did not.  Both carbs seemed to be working ok (from a flaot perspective anyway)

[Yikes]

Mine were installed with the center tab on the float simply inserted loosely into the oval shaped interior of the little wire loop, not actually clipped to the tab like a paper clip as shown in the photo.  When the float is installed with the hinge pin, the float needle is secured to the tab, but kind of dangly and not tight-on.  Seem to be working fine

[Barry]

Are these needle clips necessary?

I must admit I was thinking the same thing. What I did discover though in searching for an image of the Bing clip was they are quite commonly used on other makes of carbs and so not just a whim on Bings part.

[Ed Miller]

Is it upside down?  In relationship to the floats, I mean?  That's how it looks to me.  

The floats will push the needle up into the jet when the bowls are full, and the clip will help pull the needle back down when the fuel level drops.  I too had one missing at first, with no obvious problems.

[montmil]

I'm in school with Yikes. The small tab on the float arm goes through the flattened oval of the wire keeper. The whole deal is a sorta "belt and suspenders" thing, IMHO.

Monte

[Lucky_Lou]

The whole deal is a sorta "belt and suspenders" thing, IMHO.

Monte

There you go that Monte talkin dirty again, ........i can honestly say i had not noticed this and thought the clip was just a retainer for the spring hence ive been running over a year with no clip attached and no problem, hey ho ignorance is bliss.
Lou

[Justin B.]

I have had carbs that had none and the ones that were there are as Yikes describes.  I can't really think of what they would accomplish.  Maybe somebody could ask Bing next time they corresponded with 'em...

[Barry]

Mine were installed with the center tab on the float simply inserted loosely into the oval shaped interior of the little wire loop, not actually clipped to the tab like a paper clip as shown in the photo.  

I think I know what you mean. Loosely sounds right. One of the clips on another make of carb looks like it fits that way although it's symmetrical and doesn't have the circular bit at one end. I should be able to try that without removing the floats again.

Thanks All.

[Yikes]

Barry, check the first photo in Scott Marburger's carb article here

http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling/r100gs/carb_rebuild/index.html

The floats appear to be removed from the float carriage, but you can see how the center tab just slips into the clip that is threaded into the hole on top of the needle.  And this is a good step-by-step description if you haven't already seen it.

John McC

[Barry]

Thanks John

I've seen that article before but never taken much notice of that photo with the floats missing.

I can see the clip now.