carb float repair

[BMFR6]

So I have been working on a 76 CB200 and have gotten it running. The riders right carb would always spew gas when the bike isn't running. my initial thought was a stuck float, just broke the carb down and it didn't seem like it stuck at all. upon closer inspection i noticed a small crack in one of the floats. the float looks like two small snare drums, one of them has a dent in it and were the dent starts there is a small fracture. dried everything off and sure enough when i tip the carb, gas comes out at the crack. i figure if one of the floats is full of gas, it of course isn't going to "float"as it should therefore acting as if it is stuck. is there anyway to fix this without replacing it? the float itself seems to be brass, i am almost wondering if i could solder it. thoughts? i've never tried to solder brass before.

[Kurlon]

I think you're on the right track, solder it up once you know it's dry inside.

[BMFR6]

yeah, i'm thinking it is such a small float I should be able to heat it up with a hair dryer to make sure the inside is dry. I hope.

[nt650hawk]

Small Butane torch

[ralphs]

Make sure the float is empty. You shouldn't hear anything inside, place it in a sunny window for a day or two.
You can use a medium-to large-sized soldering iron, a small electronics one might take a while to heat the float (if it works at all). One of those "pistol grip" type irons might be a little much.
Clean the area by abrading with very fine sandpaper (600 grit) or even lightly scrape the area with an X-Acto blade or similar. You can use regular electronics-grade solder, smaller diameter (.031" or smaller) will melt and wet the area quicker.
It doesn't take much solder. Heat the float, then apply the solder to the float until it flows over the hole/ crack. Remember that the solder will flow towards the heat. Soldering brass is about as easy as soldering copper.
Clean up any residual flux using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Verify your repair by placing in a bowl of water and look for bubbles.
I have repaired a few brass floats over the past few years.
Good Luck
Ralph

[BMFR6]

Make sure the float is empty. You shouldn't hear anything inside, place it in a sunny window for a day or two.
You can use a medium-to large-sized soldering iron, a small electronics one might take a while to heat the float (if it works at all). One of those "pistol grip" type irons might be a little much.
Clean the area by abrading with very fine sandpaper (600 grit) or even lightly scrape the area with an X-Acto blade or similar. You can use regular electronics-grade solder, smaller diameter (.031" or smaller) will melt and wet the area quicker.
It doesn't take much solder. Heat the float, then apply the solder to the float until it flows over the hole/ crack. Remember that the solder will flow towards the heat. Soldering brass is about as easy as soldering copper.
Clean up any residual flux using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Verify your repair by placing in a bowl of water and look for bubbles.
I have repaired a few brass floats over the past few years.
Good Luck
Ralph

first post is a winner!!! thanks for the in-depth walk through, i appreciate it and welcome to the board!

[VintageHonda]

I had the same problem with my right carb spewing gas after i used a can of sea foam-it loosened up a bunch of old shit in my gas tank-i took apart the carbs-cleaned them and realized the rubber seals the keep the carbs airtight were worn-replaced them and had no problems after that. You could prob soder that if it has a crack-good luck!

[stoinkythepig]

Don't use a torch, you'll melt the brass. Lesson learned the hard way...