The picture in my post is the picture from the official Honda NSR250 Workshop Service Manual... I don't know how much clearer it can be... it's even an NSR250 carburettor!
Hold it at 90 degrees to horizontal, so the needle just seats, and then take the measurement.
It is highly possible, although improbable that each side of the float will give a different reading. If that's the case bend each side until they are level, then adjust the overall level by bending the little tab the needle is attached to.
As for "even without the needle valves the floats are going out nearly 20mm at the 90 degree measurement!", this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! Why on Earth you would try to take any measurement without the needle valve fitted is quite beyond me!
I can't make it any clearer... take the bike to a mechanic!
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM
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