Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Float bowl screws

I'd like to drop the float bowl on at least one of my carbs, just so I can check what size jets are in there (they're probably stock, but I want to be sure). I tried unscrewing the float bowls last night but the screws are in there pretty tight, and I didn't want to strip them.

Any advice for getting them out of there without damaging anything? (I saw that one of the vendor sites has a set of hex screws to replace the phillips heads that are in there now. I'll probably be ordering one of those.)

I broke a few of my stubborn screws loose with a pair of vise grips tightly clamped on the screw head. Definitely get the allen head bolts to replace (DON'T use locktite on these....)

One of the things I like about the carbs on my Beemer is that the float bowls are held on with little retaining clips. You can just pop 'em off when you need to.

I took the screws down to Home Depot and matched them up for phillips head screws

You should go ta Ace or True Value and get stainless allen heads. They are much easier to deal with if you leave the carbs on the bike and want to remove the bowls. I had to take my carbs off the first time to get the screws out, you can get much more pressure that way and it will be easier to get at the screws if you need to use some needle nose vise grips to break them loose.A plus then is you can familiarize yourself with the location of the various parts in there making it easier to work on later.

I have the old Bing carbs on my BMW and they work just like the old Triumph Amals, screws holding the bowls on. They have ticklers too.

You know you've been reading this forum too long when you can read a post and know when and what Ian is going to say. I read this post and was going to respond, but wanting to let Ian get his 2 cents in I left it alone.

I did exactly what he did, and I'm very happy. Also, you can get chrome plated at Ace for a little more outta the pocket book.

Just because I have become predictable doesn't mean we can swap spit! (Heartbreak ridge)

Mine are the originals on my 64 R50, didn't know they still used Bing. My friends Penton had a Bing on it as well.

Just be REAL careful tightening the SS screws. They WILL strip the hole out, whereas the craptacular brass stock screws were the weak link before. I also used needle nose vice grips to crack mine loose.

Sounds like there's a consensus.

Also, Benny, bonus points for the use of the word "craptacular"!

I used a little 90 degree phillips bit holding ratchet the first time. Just make sure you hold the bit firmly engaged and they will all come out without stripping the heads.

BTW, my '93 R100 has Bing carbs.