Carburetor Float | Honda CB350 / CL350 / SL350
If your CB350 is flooding, running rich, or fuel is dripping from the carburetor overflow — the float is likely corroded through. After 50+ years, even brass develops pinholes. This is a direct replacement brass float with pivot pin for the Keihin CV carburetors used on all CB350, CL350, and SL350 models.
Why You Need This
The carburetor float controls the fuel level inside the float bowl. When brass corrodes over decades, thin spots and pinholes develop. Fuel seeps inside the float body, the float gets heavy, and it can no longer rise to shut off the float needle valve. The result: fuel overflows into the engine or out the overflow tube — hard starting, fuel smell, fouled plugs, and fuel dripping from the carbs.
Our replacement is a new, high-quality brass float that's a direct match for the OEM part. Sold individually with a new pivot pin — you'll need two to service both carburetors.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part Number | 16013-286-014 |
| Fits Models | CB350 K1–K5 (1969–1973), CL350 K1–K5 (1969–1973), SL350 K0–K2 (1969–1972) |
| Material | Brass |
| Float Height (early square float) | 19 mm |
| Float Height (late round float) | 24–26 mm |
| SL350 K1-K2 Float Height | 26 mm (round slide carb) |
| Includes | Float + pivot pin |
| Sold As | Individually — order two per bike |
Note: The CB350 used two different float styles over its production run — an early "bread loaf" square brass float and a later round float. Both are brass. This replacement fits both styles. The float height spec differs between the two — see the table above.
Does NOT fit: Honda CB360 / CL360 / CJ360 — those models use a different float. See our CB360 Carburetor Float instead.
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner
- Remove the float bowl — Undo the float bowl screws and carefully remove the bowl from the carburetor body.
- Remove the old float — Gently slide out the pivot pin and lift the float off. Note the position of the float needle — it hangs from the float tab.
- Install the new float — Be very careful — brass floats are fragile and can bend, dent, or break easily. Also be gentle with the small towers cast into the carb body that hold the pivot pin — they will snap off under excess pressure.
- Set the float height — Hold the carburetor at approximately a 45-degree angle so the float rests against the needle without compressing the spring. Measure and adjust by carefully bending the float tab.
- Reassemble — Reinstall the float bowl with a fresh O-ring gasket.
Our CB350 Carburetor Rebuild Part 3 video covers float height setting, jet installation, and sealing the float bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What float height should I set?
It depends on which style float your carbs have. Early CB350s with the square "bread loaf" float: 19mm. Later CB350s with the round float: 24–26mm. SL350 K1-K2 with the round slide carb: 26mm. Measure with the carb at a 45-degree angle.
How do I know if my float is bad?
Shake the old float near your ear — if you hear liquid sloshing inside, it has a pinhole and is filling with fuel. You can also submerge it in gasoline and watch for bubbles. Symptoms include flooding, fuel overflow, hard starting, and rich running.
Will this fit a CB360?
No. The CB360 / CL360 / CJ360 use a different carburetor with a different float. We carry those separately.
Do I need to replace both floats?
If one float is corroded, the other is likely close behind — they're the same age and exposed to the same fuel. We recommend replacing both. Order two (sold individually).
Should I replace anything else while the float bowl is open?
Yes — at minimum, replace the float needle and seat (included in our CB350 Carb Rebuild Kit) and the float bowl O-ring gasket. A worn needle and seat will cause flooding even with a new float.
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Last updated: March 2026
