Carb and Headlight, oh my!

[motogrizzo]

Two questions:

Is there a Carb rebuild kit? I have a leaky right carb, it drips all over my boot and pant leg and I smell all day at work. Our conference rooms smell like a garage after I leave a meeting. I like it, but I don't think my co-workers do  

Here's the other question: I think my headlight is mounted upside down. When I hit my high beam, the lower portion of the light illuminates and my front wheel and road beneath the tire is very bright, like I turned on fog lights. It just strikes me as being upside down, any thoughts?

Loving the bike.....I'll have to post my story about using too much soap to install new grips and the first ride out after they "dried."

Thanks!

Mike

[Bob_Roller]

About the only 'kit' available is from the Bing Agency, located in Kansas .

http://bingcarburetor.com/bmw/bmwcvkits.html

Parts are available from other sources, I'm sure other US members will add their favorite parts dealer .

You will need to know what part number the carbs are, there are numbers stamped into a vertical flange at the front of the carb .

Numbers should be something like this : 64/32/325 .

Some of the parts can get a bit pricey, for what you are getting .


Your headlight problem is easily corrected, unless you have a fairing on the bike .

Loosen the screw at the bottom of the chrome metal ring, pull off the headlight, disconnect the electrical connector, then re-position the headlight, put it back together .

[Ed Miller]

For the headlight, see where the main part of the beam shines at night.  The high beam should point out about level with the headlight.  That doesn't mean it won't be brighter close up, too.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

For the headlight, see where the main part of the beam shines at night.  The high beam should point out about level with the headlight.  That doesn't mean it won't be brighter close up, too.

My headlight lens clearly has "Bosch" molded into the glass, at the bottom.
If your headlight is upside down, this will be at the top, and will be upside down.

[nothing]

Is there a Carb rebuild kit? I have a leaky right carb...

Your fix is likely much easier than a full carb rebuild. If your engine is running well, a full carb rebuild will be wasted effort.

Remove the float bowl, paying close attention to the gasket integrity and installation - one very likely replacement item. This could very well be the only problem. A bit of silicone grease (commonly available packaged as "dialectic grease" in autoparts stores) can make gasket installation much easier.

Failing such an easy fix, find some container to catch gas, hold it under the carb and turn on the petcock. Push up on the floats until the flow of gas stops - the flow should stop when the floats are roughly parallel to the carb body. If it doesn't stop at all, you may need to replace the rubber float needle valve. If it does stop but requires pushing the floats higher than parallel to the carb, you need to adjust (bend) the little clip in the middle of the floats that attaches to the needle valve.

If after all this the carbs still leak, it may be that your floats are shot and no longer floating - although if this is the case you would have running problems as well.

All parts referenced here (as well as all other carb parts) are available piecemeal from any BMW motorcycle dealer. I prefer mailorder from Max BMW for my parts needs.

[motogrizzo]

Thanks for all of the advice. My headlight is probably mounted correctly since the writing is not upside down. It just seems funny that the lower portion of the globe lights when the High beam is on.

I think I'll start by removing the bowl of the carb and check the floats. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips. I would like to stop that leak for sure. It's probably overkill to by a kit. I'll probably have more questions after I take it apart.

Thanks!

Mike

[Lucky_Lou]

Thanks for all of the advice. My headlight is probably mounted correctly since the writing is not upside down. It just seems funny that the lower portion of the globe lights when the High beam is on.

I think I'll start by removing the bowl of the carb and check the floats. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips. I would like to stop that leak for sure. It's probably overkill to by a kit. I'll probably have more questions after I take it apart.

Thanks!

Mike

The Glass may be the right way round but it is possible the reflector or bulb holder are upside down , i would strip them to be sure.
Lou

[nothing]

One thing I forgot about regarding parts: I've replaced the cork float bowl gaskets on my bike with silicone rubber ones available from realgaskets.com. Some claim to not like them, but I've found them to be far more reliably leak-free than the cork and much more re-usable - the cork versions seldom remained viable through multiple removals and reinstallations.

[montmil]

Besides checking for proper float levels, do pull the float needle and flush the needle seat by briefly turning on the fuel. Engine cold. D'oh!

If the float needle's hard rubber tip is worn, grooved and or nicked... there's your problem.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Several of us on the forum have also had good success dealing with Motobins in the UK.  http://www.motobins.co.uk/bmw-parts.php?model=R%20Series%202%20valve%20Twin
Admittedly I was a bit hesitant ordering from an overseas supplier but the delivery was prompt and freight charges very reasonable.

As for the suggestions, you're on the right track, just keep troubleshooting in the same direction.  And what's wrong with the folks you work with that they don't appreciate a little 'eau de garage' in the workplace?  Must be wimpy, daily bathing, poodle walking nerds.

[balibeemer]

"Several of us on the forum have also had good success dealing with Motobins in the UK."
I've also used Motobins ,after trying a few teutonic suppliers ( who were suprisingly inefficient!)
Even here, on the Island of the Dogs, I get my parts in about 7 days and they do some really good service kits, rebuild kits for carbs, brakes etc.  - A really good supplier.
Yaaaaay for Motobins!