Hi there, I’m new to the world of V4 motorbikes, just having bought a VF1000F2. She is in a pretty sorry state, having been off the road for 20 years, most of that outside I believe. The carbs were in poor condition, they have been stripped, cleaned and rebuilt(V4 carbs are something else!!). I have them on the bench and carried out an initial setup. I’ve hooked them up to a fuel supply, but can’t get fuel into the float bowls. The previous owner had supplied new replacement float valve and seat kits (Tourmax 221104) - I believe they are correct for the bike. The float don’t appear to have been adjusted(I’m probably wrong 
), but I can’t think what else could be causing this issue. Hopefully someone on here has come across this before. Thanks in advance.
You have to adjust them in the same angle as they sits on the engine. Inclined 15-45 degrees from vertical. Level is 0.30 inch - 7.5 mm
Thanks Oysbot. Appreciate you providing this advice. I’ll check and adjust over the weekend. I think a PO has messed about with the floats at some point (clearer in the photos than it was to the eye). Thanks again.
Welcome to the forum John,and congratulations on your ownership of a boldor.
The carbs are fun for sure,especially when someone else has been there before you.
The float valves and seats are correct as is the float height quoted.Setting done with the bottom of the carb tilted back from vertical until the float tang just contacts the needle without compressing the spring.PAJ has set up VFBob an Ai assistant you can access from the front end of the vf1000.com site that explains it well,the picture may help too
Best regards bif
Thanks bif, that picture is a big help. I wasn’t sure which part of the carb was to be set at the angle but that makes it clear. I’ve a long way to go, but it’s all good (so far). Cheers
Great we have a small Scottish contingent here,another member lives at Catrine,Graham rides an FE and joins us on our twice yearly ride outs.
Keep us up to date with your progress,we are all keen to see another VF on the road
Best regards Bif
Thanks bif. Sorry for the late reply. Unfortunately it looks like it will be a while before she’s out on the road. Carbs are shot, rebuilt with new gasket sets and o rings, but when on the bike, leaks like a sieve. She doesn’t want to crank over, not quite seized, but close. Looking like a full engine strip down at this time - a first for me so not holding my breath for a quick resolution. Cheers
Do you want to drop your carbs down to me and we will see what we can do with them?
Nearly finished with a set of FE carbs for my bros latest project so happy to take a look
Regards Bif
Thanks for the offer bif. One of the hard plastic fuel pipes was broken when I got the bike and I’ve tried to bodge it with jb weld temporarily to try to get the bike running. I think trying(ie struggling)to get the carbs in the bike, has fractured the bodge- that along with potentially wrongly sized orings have led to the leak. Carbs sat fine on the bench with petrol for a couple of days- there back on the bench for another strip down. All good, keeps me out of trouble…
There was a topic on fitting the carbs using the tilted boot method,I tried it for the first time on big G’s bike when we did an engine swap.The carbs went in with no effort whatsoever.I will see if I can find the topic
Yup,do a search in topics for"engine swap and carb fitting"there are pics that show exactly how to do it
regards Bif
Cheers, thanks bif.
Hi bif, tried the technique to install the carbs- I must not have the knack(yet), haha. Managed to install them using a couple of guides made specifically for the job- went ok. Upside is, I managed to get the bike running on a bench tune- result!!! Sounded pretty good considering it hasn’t run for approx 20 years. Found that i have compression of 160 psi on 3x cylinders and 140 psi on the other. So the strip down has started for real, not out the woods yet. And the list of works increasing by the day(snapped engine mounting bolt for starters). Happy days.
Your 140 psi on one cylinder may just be a slightly dirty valve seat, from being left open for many years) that may clean up with a bit of running. Don’t strip the engine unless you really need to!
Thanks Bob. I’ve noticed that some of the inlet valves look a bit “crusty”- not sure if that’s normal for a bike of this age. Hopefully once running it will clear up a bit. Is there any product that can be sprayed on the top of the valves to disloge any build up? I’ve seen some mention of Seafoam on a couple of sites. Cheers