So, I've recently acquired a '91 F2 and am in the process of building a track bike out of it. It's been 20 years since I've been on one of these, so bare with some no-brainer questions.

After checking fluids, decided to see what happens when trying to start it. A small victory in that it starts and runs (barely, 1500 rpm only), but I killed it as there was fuel pouring out of #1 and #2 carbs.

So tearing into the carbs, i find that carbs #1 and #2 have one type of float needle (shiny silver, with black rubber tip), while #3 and #4 have different style, look like OEM. I have spares of both, so which one to go with? The OEM brass ones, or the silver ones with the rubber tip?

 

I'll be cleaning the carbs and trying to get this sorted over next couple of days, open to suggestions and input on the best route to go with the float needles.

 

Hi , it's a bit of personal choice really, I've always got by with aftermarket, but really the price isn't so different for OEM
FLOAT NEEDLE HONDA Keihin 16155-MN9-004, KL18-4761 | eBay
and
New Carburetor Float Valve Carb Needle Many Honda CB CBR NX VF (See Notes) K46 A | eBay
Really just a matter of shopping around

 

Thanks for the response. I decided to go with the aftermarket ones i had and after a thorough cleaning, the carbs look good. Flipped them upside down and the float needles keep air from being blown through, so all good there.

Now i just need to remember how to check for spark on these bikes....

 

This will show you , but make sure you don't touch the actual spark plug with you hand, it will make you jump

 

Dang, CaBaRet, why did you tell him? Everybody needs to have that shocking experience at least once in their life. :-)


If you are uneasy using the method in the video, you can buy one of these;
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...ter/900800_0_0

 

Big hearted Bill ,that's me

 

I see how it's going to be, testing the newbies... I've seen people test spark like that before, more fun to learn from other's mistakes.

 

After testing spark the safe way , replaced the plugs, tightened up a few grounds and reconnected the coil leads per the manual, it fired up immediately! What a great feeling, time for a drink!

 

Good deal, even if you chose the boring route. :-)
Glad you got it sorted out.