K&L 18-8953 Keihin Float Needle for 1993-2008 Triumphs with Keihin Carbs
The K&L 18-8953 is a replacement float needle for the Keihin CV carburetors used on carbureted Hinckley Triumphs from 1993 to 2008. That includes the air-cooled Bonneville, T100, Thruxton, Scrambler, America, and Speedmaster twins, and later carbureted Thunderbird, Adventurer, Legend TT, Sprint, Trident, Tiger 885, and Trophy models. If your Triumph floods, leaks fuel from the carb overflow, smells of gas after parking, or runs rich, a worn or sticking float needle is one of the most common causes. This listing is for one float needle, which services one carburetor.
The float needle is the small valve that controls fuel flow into each float bowl. As the bowl fills, the float rises and pushes the needle’s tip into its seat to shut off the fuel. Over time the rubber tip hardens, wears a groove, or picks up varnish from old fuel. Then it no longer seals, and fuel keeps flowing past the needle. The K&L 18-8953 is a Keihin K1-type needle with a Viton rubber tip, made in Japan, and restores a clean shut-off and the correct fuel level in the float bowl.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: K&L Supply
- K&L part number: 18-8953 (Keihin K1 type)
- British Iron part number: MBI-188953
- Fits Keihin carb assemblies: T1240650, T1240660, T1240670, T1240680, T1240932, T1245050
- Tip material: Viton rubber
- Quantity: One float needle (one carburetor)
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Shipping weight: 0.1 lb
Signs of a Leaking or Sticking Float Needle
- Fuel drips from the carb overflow or vent hoses, especially when the bike is parked with the fuel on.
- A strong gas smell, or fuel collecting in the airbox.
- Hard starting, black spark plugs, rough idle, or poor fuel mileage from running rich.
- Fuel in the engine oil, which raises the oil level and makes the oil smell of gasoline.
- A carburetor that runs out of fuel or runs lean because the needle is stuck closed.
Fitment for this K&L 18-8953 Keihin Float Needle
- Adventurer 900 (after 62507)
- America, Bonneville T100 (air cooled)
- Legend TT (after 62393)
- Scrambler
- Speedmaster
- Sprint (after 55881)
- Thruxton (air cooled)
- Thunderbird 900 (after 62393)
- Tiger 885 (after 55615)
- Trident (after 55880)
- Trophy (after 29156)
See the “Fit for the Following Vehicles” tab for the complete year, make, and model list. Models listed with “after” a number changed from Mikuni to Keihin carburetors at that serial number. Earlier bikes with Mikuni BST carbs need the K&L float needle for Mikuni carbs (MBI-188944) instead. If you aren’t sure which carbs you have, look for the Keihin or Mikuni name cast into the carburetor body.
Replacing the Float Needle on Keihin CV Carbs
Follow the fuel system section of the service manual for your model. The basic steps:
- Turn off the fuel, drain the float bowls, and remove the carburetors. Work in a ventilated area with no open flames or sparks.
- Remove the float bowl, then slide out the float pivot pin to remove the float and the old needle.
- Clean the needle seat with carb cleaner and compressed air, and inspect it. The seat is not replaceable on Keihin CV carbs. If the seat is marked or the new needle still leaks, lap the seat gently with a cotton swab and 220-grit or finer lapping compound, then clean out every trace of compound.
- Hook the new needle onto the float tab, reinstall the float and pivot pin, and check that the float moves freely.
- Check the float height and adjust it by carefully bending the float tab if needed. Install the float bowl with a new gasket.
- Reinstall the carbs, turn on the fuel, check for leaks, and confirm the fuel level. Triumph’s spec for Keihin carbs is 1.5mm (plus or minus 1mm) above the float bowl gasket surface.
For the full process, read Mike Grage’s Hinckley Triumph CV carburetor cleaning and tuning guide. It covers checking the fuel level with the carbs installed, lapping the seat, and making sure the float bowl vents are clear.
Related Keihin Carburetor Parts
If you’re replacing float needles, you’ll usually want new float bowl gaskets at the same time. The K&L Carb Repair Kit for Keihin carbs (MBI-182457) includes a float needle, mixture screw, and seals for one carburetor. You’ll also find the K&L float bowl gasket for 93-08 Keihin carbs (MBI-182676), main and pilot jets for Keihin CVK carbs, and the K&L float bowl drain screw (MBI-183720) on our K&L parts page. For synchronizing the carbs after reassembly, see the carb tools in our workshop tools collection.
California notice: This K&L 18-8953 Keihin Float Needle item is not available for sale in nor shipment to California. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) prohibits the sale of this item per California Code of Regulations, Title 13 § 2220 et seq., California Code of Regulations, Title 13 § 2470 et seq., California Vehicle Code §§ 27156 and 38391, and California Health & Safety Code § 43151 et seq. CARB Enforcement Advisory
The product images shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product received. Manufacturers occasionally make minor cosmetic changes to items, such as color, finish, label, or design. These changes do not impact the item’s function or compatibility. Please contact us if you have specific concerns regarding appearance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the K&L 18-8953 float needle fit?
It fits the Keihin CV carburetors on 1993-2008 carbureted Triumphs: air-cooled Bonneville, T100, Thruxton, Scrambler, America, and Speedmaster twins, plus Keihin-equipped Thunderbird 900, Adventurer, Legend TT, Sprint, Trident, Tiger 885, and Trophy models. It fits Keihin carb assemblies T1240650, T1240660, T1240670, T1240680, T1240932, and T1245050.
How many float needles do I need?
You need one per carburetor. This listing is for one needle, so order two for the air-cooled twins, three for the triples, and four for the four-cylinder Trophy 1200. Replacing all of them together keeps the fuel levels even across the carbs.
What are the symptoms of a bad float needle?
Common signs are fuel dripping from the carb overflow or vent hoses, a gas smell or fuel in the airbox after parking, hard starting, black spark plugs, rough idle, and fuel in the engine oil. A needle stuck closed can starve a carburetor and make it run lean.
Can I replace the float needle seat on Keihin carbs?
No. On Triumph’s Keihin CV carburetors the seat is part of the carb body and can’t be replaced. If a new needle still leaks, you can clean up the seat with a cotton swab and 220-grit or finer lapping compound, then flush out all of the compound. Mike Grage’s CV carb cleaning and tuning guide explains how.
Will this fit Triumphs with Mikuni carburetors?
No. Earlier Hinckley triples with Mikuni BST carbs use a different needle and a replaceable seat. Order the K&L float needle for Mikuni carbs (MBI-188944) for those bikes. Models listed with “after” a serial number switched to Keihin carbs at that number.
What is the correct float level on Triumph Keihin carbs?
Triumph specifies a fuel level 1.5mm (plus or minus 1mm), or about 1/16 to 3/32 inch, above the float bowl gasket surface. You can check it with the carbs installed using a clear hose on the float bowl drain nipple, and adjust it by bending the float tab.
Is the K&L float needle as good as the original Keihin part?
The K&L 18-8953 is a Keihin K1-type needle made in Japan, with a fuel-resistant Viton rubber tip. It’s made to replace the original Keihin needle in these carburetors.
Should I replace anything else when I change the float needles?
Install new float bowl gaskets whenever the bowls come off, and clean the jets and passages while the carbs are apart. The K&L Carb Repair Kit for Keihin carbs (MBI-182457) bundles a float needle, mixture screw, and seals for one carburetor.
Why does my Triumph flood when it’s parked?
Usually a float needle isn’t sealing, so fuel keeps flowing into the float bowl and overflows into the vents, the airbox, or the cylinders. Dirt or varnish on the needle or seat, a worn needle tip, a float set too high, or blocked float bowl vents can all cause it. New float needles and a float level check fix most cases.
How do I keep the float needles from sticking during storage?
Drain the float bowls before the bike sits for more than about three weeks. Old fuel leaves varnish that can glue the needle to its seat and clog the small jets. The K&L float bowl drain screw (MBI-183720) makes draining easier.
Can I ship this float needle to California?
No. Under California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules, this item can’t be sold in or shipped to California.
*The product images shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product received. Manufacturers occasionally make minor cosmetic changes to items, such as color, finish, label, or design. These changes do not impact the item’s function or compatibility. Please contact us if you have specific concerns regarding appearance.
