1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

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Oct 11, 2005 | 03:25 PM

imboden

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1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

I'm trying to get this thing running again, so I cleaned up the mag and plugs...filled my tank up, kicked and kicked....got nothin but good compression. so I give up for the day, put her back in the garage, and next day while I'm at work wife calls and says all the gas leaked outta the tank.
what's my next step here? dad told me he thought I probably have a stuck float, but I'm not sure how to check that on my float bowl. anybody have tips?

thanks-
pat

Oct 11, 2005 | 04:56 PM

Terry TK

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From: San Antonio Texas

RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

You probably have a bunch of old gas in the float bowl. Remove the bowl and clean out any dirt or old gas and inspect you float. You may have to replace it because sometimes they will leak and soak up gas which will cause them not to float anymore. The float should move up and down freely.

Terry

Oct 11, 2005 | 06:20 PM

imboden

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RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

thanks terry, will get back if I have any problems.!!

Oct 13, 2005 | 11:09 AM

Crazyace

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RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

Also you can take the bowl off hold it upside down and blow through the fuel inlet to see if your needle is seating properly - if you can't blow through it while its upside down then needle seats and stops the flow of fuel when the float gets to its highest point. Turn it right side up and you should be able to blow through it with no problems. When your trying to start the bike did you make sure your getting fire to the plugs? Are you getting gas down the throat of the carb? Anyway hope this helps.

Oct 13, 2005 | 01:51 PM

imboden

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RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

I do have fire in the plugs, checked that! as far as the bowl, I'll be working on that tonight to see what I can do.... yesterday was a project on a 72 superglide....I'll post on that in a minute.

Oct 26, 2005 | 12:29 PM

cbrunson

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RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

If it has been sitting for a long time, I would pull the carb off, and take it apart. Some may not agree here, but I would soak the parts in gas over night. I use to fill an old coffee can or something with just enough gas to cover the parts. The gas will soften varnished gas and debris. Then after soaking it, I would spray the parts off with carb cleaner, and reassemble. Iâ€™m not familiar with that carb specifically, but the floats can usually be adjusted by the amount of tension on the spring the seats the float jet. Most of the time you just need to adjust the float and clean the seat/jet.

Feb 19, 2006 | 02:59 AM

Mordwyn

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RE: 1942 Knucklhead...Float Stuck?

Plastic floats absorb gas when they get old and metal one's rust out, making both worthless as fuel controll devices. Take off the carb and then +1 to What CBrunson said... This will give you a chance to closely inspect all the jets and your primariy ports emulsion tube for wear and or corrosion. Who knows, maybe a rejet will give you a few more MPG or HP

Just make sure that if you strip the carb that you do it in a well lit area far away from nooks and crannies. If luck is anything like mine, thats were all the small parts go as they flee in terror from me, never to be seen again.

I usualy strip carbs in a medium sized rubbermaid tub, everything then stays exactly where I can see them with no chance to escape... a minature parts POW camp so to speak