I’m rebuilding a mess of a 2005 GS500F for a young man and needed info on setting the float height. There is a lot of mixed information online and the “factory” info isn’t very logical. The procedure itself is actually quite simple but seems difficult because of the way many say it should be done. So here’s a simple method.

First, the float height is the distance from the float bowl mating surface to the highest point of the float when the metal float tab lightly rests against the center pin of the float needle, but doesn’t depress it.

Some of the manuals say to invert the carburetors then lift the float until the metal tab just touches the center pin of the needle. A much simpler and more accurate method is to turn the carburetors on their side with the floats hanging from their hinge. Then rotate the carburetors until the float tab just touches the center pin of the needle. There is a range where the floats will rest on the needle but not depress the center pin. Prop-up the carburetors in this position and measure as shown in the picture.

If you need to lower a float slightly because it’s resting too high, use a medium-size flat blade screwdriver, rest it on the hinge pin, place the tip of the screwdriver under the metal tab being careful not to touch the needle or its wire loop that secures it to the tab, and bend it upward. Make very, very small adjustments. To raise the float, lift the float assembly up with your finger so the metal tab is not touching the needle center pin and using your screwdriver, bend the tab down slightly. That’s all there is to it.

‘01+ float specs are 13mm + or – 1mm.

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