Something new...

One neat thing about having an XJ is: you don’t have to worry that it won’t like what you get your bike for Christmas. What to get, though... hey, I know.

If your bike has Hitachi carbs, like my 750 Maxim, you know how the carb hats can end up looking ratty over time. If you’re like me, you could just take off the corroded chrome plating with a wire wheel and paint; however, that might not yield the best results.



Even afterwards, your carbs still won’t look their best. You might even become desperate enough to have a washed-up rap artist come in and Pimp Your Ride.

But with brand-new reproduction chrome carb hats, you can go from this...



...to this!



There’s always gold if you want that extra bit of bling, dawg.



The black hat screws and washers kinda set the hats off, doncha think?

The difference between old and new is like night and day, as you can see here:



Whaddya think?

 

I'd save the money for more important parts and just paint 'em with 99 cent spray paint.

 

I think the rap slang thing had a little racial undertone... And frankly didn't care for it!

 

What is racial about a washed up rap artist? Last time i checked there were people from nearly every race that sing rap and after they are forgotten they try to get back in the spotlight. Hence the term "washed up". Anyways sorry for the rant I am just getting tired of everything someone doesnt necessarily agree with automatically becoming racial.

Schmuck----those hats are awesome. It is nice to see someone who pays attention to detail especially with their carbs. Nothing disappoints me more than seeing a beautiful restoration on a bike and the same old rusty, crusty carb hats. Just curious, what is the pricing for the chrome and gold hats each?

 

yah, i agree. how dare you make fun of (in alphabetical order)....... 3rd Bass, 6th Sense, 900 Foot Jesus, Aesop Rock, Beastie Boys, Benefit, Bhudda BOUNCE, Big B, Bubba Sparxxx, Buck 65, Classified, Commodore 64, Craniac, CWB, El P, Eminem, Eyedea and Abilities, FortiFied Concept, Goin' Through, Gil-T, Haystack, Headmess, The Hoodfella, House of Pain / Everlast, Imiskoumbria, Insane Clown Posse, John Cena, Jonny Ringo, Justin Time, Kid Rock, Kish, KottonMouth Kings, Ksqueez, Kyprios, Lady Sovereign, Lexx Luger, Lil Wyte, Mack DVS, Mack Heath, Marky Mark, Mikro, Mindspray, Manau, Necro, Paul Wall, Powder, Rambo Amadeus, Rehab, Renegade, Ricky J, Rip, Rocca, Sage Francis, Skinhead Rob, Slug, Snow, Sonny Vito, Stereo MCs, MC Stopheles, The Streets, Terror X Crew, Ugly Duckling, Vanilla Ice, Wolfpack, Young Black Teenagers.......and many other white rappers i missed. you should be ashamed of yourself schmuckaholic!

fwright625- by assuming that "washed up rapper" meant "something negative about black/hispanic people", you are the racist! rap, hip hop, or whatever you want to call it....is a CULTURE and genre of music (not one that i will ever listen to!). it is NOT however, a race.

i find schmuckaholic's post catchy, entertaining, and most importantly.....it has aesthetically pleasing carb parts for sale.

 

I really think he was joking.
I hope :roll:

 

To get back on the subject...it looks better than rusty caps. I am one of the cheap ones. I would paint them. Word!

 

Gerry: Look at the first picture. I did just that.

Zookie: I thought that was MC 900-Foot Jesus.

OrganizedInsanity: He Who Supplied Them shall visit the thread, hopefully sometime in the near future, and fill everybody in on how much they are and when they'll be in stock. I'm also told there will be a separate post, from another user, showing off carb hats for the Mikunis.

Fwright: Dude. Sense of humor. Grow one, would you?

But, just to keep YOU happy, how about we edit the text to read this instead:

"Even afterwards, your carbs will still look like crap. You might even become desperate enough to just paint 'em with 99 cent spray paint, which will really make them look cheesy."

Better?

 

I'm going to say my piece, and then its dead on my behalf. I wouldn't expect from those above to understand, bc you haven't walked in my shoes... but I'm sick of hearing little comments... hiphop/rap/urban from somebody who don't know anything about it... bc they think it cool... or funny.
Over sinsitive... maybe... and if taken the wrong way... I apologize.

 

Paint them a different color? Go high-end on the paint. $1.50(That's a joke if nobody caught it).

I was referring to the replacement caps looking better than the rusty ones.

 

I have a set of crusty hats that I would like to refinish.
I cooked them in hot lemon juice and removed most of the rust.
They are now 50% deeply pitted where the rust used to be and 50% chrome.
I am not looking to spend a lot of time with a wire wheel.
Is there an easy way to got the tops down to bare metal?

 

I id just as HalfCentury stated and cooked mine in lemon juice, which cleaned them up very good. Then I used polishing compound and my drill press to polish them back to a nice chrome finish. I rode with them like that for one season.
After re-doing my valves, I painted the valve covers red and decided to rough them carb hats up and paint them also. I used a water based air brush paint and cleared over it with Duplicolor High temp clear.

 

Did you ride that in the snow or just pull it out of your garage to take the picture in the sun?

 

Actually I did ride in the snow a bit. I end up screwing around in the snow every year just to get it out of my system. The Seca is light enough to go out and spin some donuts and tear up the negihborhood when it gets warm enough outside...
Which I might just do today. It's supposed to get up in the high 30s/low 40s today and I'll need an excuse to cool off after splitting wood. A guy works up a sweat after slinging a splitting maul!!!

 

I have an electric chopper that I ride around the neighborhood to cool down after I mow the lawn.

 

HalfCentury,
Got pics?

 

(nod) Been there. Done that.

It doesn't take long. Trust me. Mind, the one I used was mounted on a bench grinder, but the stuff pretty much comes right off. Had I not already done the ones on the bike (I used my spare carb set from a Midnight Maxim to model the hats), I'd have used those, as they were in much worse shape.

Those gray carb hats I have on the bike? That's supposed to be chrome color paint. Spray clearcoat on top? Reacted with the paint.... and it's the same brand.

If one has the skill, time and patience to do their own work, as PainterD obviously does, the results can look fantastic. People like me, however, might find it easier just to replace them.

 

to get them down to metal quickly, dunk them in muriatic acid. same thing as lemon juice, just much faster and more aggressive.

sandblasting is very good, and often if yuo find the right place they will do small parts like that for nothing if they are doing other big things. a headstone engraver in my hometown was always doing things for people when i was in school.

i have also used CLR to eat away rust, it works!

 

Yes, bead blasting works well. I did the the ones on the XJ650G, primered and painted them silver. The 2 outer ones were pitted a bit but with enough primer filler they smoothed over well.

 

Mine were rusted and pitted as well. Painted them black but you could still see the pitting. Ended up using some black krinkle paint... No more pits

 

Hey schmuckaholic I would like to know where you get those carb hats? Mine aren't really bad but I like nice chrome. I have wondered before if you could ever get new covers but have never seen reference to them anywhere. Any info would be great.

 

Schmuck, you wanna tell him or should I? I got a set for the Mikunis and will be posting pics of them also in the next couple days.

Where else? chacal

PM him or email info @ xj4ever.com(remove spaces around the @)

 

Well, the plan was to let the post sit for a few days and hopefully generate some responses -- which it did, although some of them weren't quite what we anticipated -- and then Len would pop into the thread and fill everybody in.

He said he was planning on doing that Friday.

 

NOW AVAILABLE!

Brand new reproduction CARB HATS (technically known as "diaphram covers") for all XJ550 (Mikuni) models and all Hitachi carbs as used on all XJ650 (except Turbo), XJ700 non-X (air-cooled) and all XJ750 models.

These hats are due for delivery to us on or about December 20, 2008.....they have been placed "on the boat" as of November 10......so they would make a great holiday present for your bike!

All orders placed BEFORE their arrival to us will receive FREE Standard Mail Shipping (US and Canada only) and a FREE set of the sixteen carb hat screws (and washers, for the Hitachi carbs).

AS SOON AS THE HATS ARE RECEIVED BY US INTO INVENTORY, THIS SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES!



Brand new reproduction CARB HATS (technically known as "diaphram covers") for all XJ550 (Mikuni) models and all XJ650 (except Turbo), XJ700 non-X (air-cooled) and all XJ750 models using Hitachi carbs.

These brand new stampings perfectly replace your dull, pitted, or rusty original hats. Featuring the correct dimensions, beautiful automotive-specification mirror-polished chrome or semi-polished silver-zinc plating, they are actually stamped just slightly thicker than originals for the ultimate in durability and fit.

These are perhaps the easiest "bolt-on" enhancement you can make to your bike, as they really eliminate that "I'm an old, old motorcycle" look in a flash!

Part numbers and pricing are as follows:


XJ550 Mikuni Carb Hats:

NOTE: these carb hats are NOT correct and WILL NOT FIT Mikuni carbs used on any other XJ-series bikes! They are only correct for the "BS28" series Mikuni carbs as used on all XJ550 Maxim and Seca models.

The XJ550 (Mikuni) carbs hats are available in three different finishes:

a) HCP9160 are the original bright polished, mirror-chrome finish as used on the outer carbs (#1 and #2).

b) HCP9161 are the original semi-polished silver-zinc finish as used on the inner carbs (#2 and #3).

c) HCP10010 are a beautiful golden-tint, mirror-chrome finish which are NOT original for any XJ550 model, but is the same finish as used on the popular line of various "Midnight Maxim" Yamaha models of this era. These golden-chrome hats are a limited edition production (only 100 made), produced because they looked so very cool, and really add a striking appearance to your carbs (especially on black bikes).



HCP9160 Aftemarket bright polished mirror-chrome CARB HAT, each:
$ 29.95

HCP9160SET2 Aftemarket bright polished mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 2:
$ 54.95

HCP9160SET4 Aftemarket bright polished mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 4. NOTE: XJ550 Mikuni carbs were originally equipped with bright chrome carb hats on the OUTER carbs only; however, many people prefer to replace all four carb hats with the bright chrome caps for a more distinctive appearance.
$ 99.95



HCP9161 Aftemarket semi-polished silver-zinc CARB HAT, each:
$ 27.95

HCP9161SET2 Aftemarket semi-polished silver-zinc CARB HATS, set of 2:
$ 52.95



HCP10103 Aftemarket set of original-mix of 2 bright polished mirror-chrome hats (HCP9160) for the outer carbs, and 2 semi-polished silver-zinc plated hats (HCP9161) for the inner carbs:
$ 89.95


HCP10010SET4 Aftemarket bright polished golden mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 4. NOTE: Mikuni carbs were never originally equipped with golden-chrome carb hats, and since these are limited production "custom" appearance hats, they are available ONLY as a complete set of 4 hats:
$ 109.95


Mikuni Carb Hat Hardware:

NOTE: the following carb hat (technically known as a diaphram cover) SCREWS fit all XJ550, XJ650 Turbo, XJ700-X, XJ750-X, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models. Original hat screws were panhead phillips drive alloy steel with a natural finish, and did not use any washers. Use 4 per carb, 16 per rack.


HCP60 OEM Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, alloy steel, natural finish, panhead phillips-drive, each:
$ 1.00

HCP60SET4 OEM Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 3.50

HCP60SET16 OEM Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 13.00



HCP910 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, alloy steel, natural finish, panhead phillips-drive, each:
$ 1.00

HCP910SET4 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 3.00

HCP910SET16 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 9.00



HCP62 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, 18-8 stainless steel panhead phillips-drive, each:
$ 1.25

HCP62SET4 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 4.50

HCP62SET16 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 14.00


HCP308 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, 18-8 stainless steel, button head with a hex-drive, each:
$ 1.25

HCP308SET4 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 4.50

HCP308SET16 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 14.00



HCP310 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, 18-8 stainless steel socket-head cap screw (allen head) with a hex-drive, each:
$ 1.25

HCP310SET4 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 4.50

HCP310SET16 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 14.00



HCP64 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREW, black-oxide coated alloy steel socket head cap screw (a/ka allen head) with a hex drive, each:
$ 1.00

HCP64SET4 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 4:
$ 3.50

HCP64SET16 Aftermarket Mikuni carb "Hat" SCREWS, set of 16:
$ 12.00



All XJ650 (except Turbo), all XJ700 non-X (air cooled), and all XJ750 Hitachi Carb Hats:

The XJ650 (except Turbo), XJ700 non-X (air-cooled), and all XJ750 Hitachi carbs hats are available in three different finishes:

a) HCP9162 are the original bright polished, mirror-chrome finish as used on ALL FOUR carbs on the XJ650 Maxim, XJ650RJ Seca, and all XJ750 Maxim and Seca models, and on the OUTER carbs only (#1 and #2) on all XJ700 non-X (air-cooled) models.

b) HCP9163 are the original semi-polished silver-zinc finish as used on the INNER carbs only (#2 and #3) on all XJ700 non-X (air-cooled) models.

c) HCP9164 are the beautiful golden-tint, mirror-chrome finish which are original for ALL FOUR carbs on the XJ650 Midnight Maxim and XJ750 Midnight Maxim models.



HCP9162 Aftemarket bright polished, mirror-chrome CARB HAT, each:
$ 29.95

HCP9162SET2 Aftemarket bright polished, mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 2:
$ 54.95

HCP9162SET4 Aftemarket bright polished, mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 4:
$ 99.95



HCP9163 Aftemarket semi-polished silver-zinc CARB HAT, each:
$ 27.95

HCP9163SET2 Aftemarket semi-polished silver-zinc CARB HATS, set of 2:
$ 52.95



HCP10104 Aftemarket set of original-mix of 2 bright polished mirror-chrome hats for the outer carbs, and 2 semi-polished silver-zinc plated hats for the inner carbs. This would be the correct configuration for all XJ700 non-X (air-cooled) models:
$ 89.95



HCP9164 Aftemarket bright polished, golden mirror-chrome CARB HAT, each:
$ 32.95

HCP9164SET2 Aftemarket bright polished, golden mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 2:
$ 59.95

HCP9164SET4 Aftemarket bright polished, golden mirror-chrome CARB HATS, set of 4.
$ 109.95



Hitachi Carb Hat Hardware:

h5) Hitachi carb diaphram cover (chrome "dome" or "Hat") MOUNTING SCREW, available in both short and long versions, and in a variety of original and aftermarket styles and finishes.

The short screws are used in any position that does not have a clip or bracket associated with it. You will need to use a total of 10 of these short screws per complete carb rack.

The long screws are used in any position that has a clip or bracket associated with it. You will need to use a total of 6 of these long screws per complete carb rack.

NOTE: originally, all carb hat screws were a natural finish, panhead style, phillips-drive with a captive lock washer. Current OEM screws and all aftermarket screws do NOT have an integral lock washer and the lock washer must be ordered separately from the choices listed further below.

Replacement screws come in a variety of different finish and head drive styles, so please review the descriptions below carefully!


- These replacement panhead phillips-drive screws have a natural finish and are made from alloy steel. Use with the HCP326 or HCP922 lock washers listed further below:

HCP322 OEM alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.25

HCP322SET10 OEM alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 10.00


HCP323 OEM alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.25

HCP323SET6 OEM alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 7.00




HCP918 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, each:
$ 1.00

HCP918SET10 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 6.00


HCP919 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.00

HCP919SET6 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 4.00



- These replacement phillips-head screws have a polished finish and are made from an 18-8 stainless steel. Use with the HCP336 lock washers listed further below:

HCP1355 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, phillips-head short carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.20

HCP1355SET10 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished, phillips-head finish short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 8.00



HCP2641 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.20

HCP2641SET6 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, panhead phillips-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 5.00




- These replacement button-head, hex-drive screws have a polished finish and are made from an 18-8 stainless steel. Use with the HCP336 lock washers listed further below:

HCP332 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, button head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.40

HCP322SET10 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, button head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 10.00


HCP333 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, button head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.40

HCP333SET6 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish, button head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 7.00



- These replacement allen-head, hex-drive screws have a polished finish and are made from an 18-8 stainless steel. Use with the HCP336 lock washers listed further below:

HCP329 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless steel polished finish, allen head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.40

HCP329SET10 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless steel polished finish, allen head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 10.00



HCP330 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless steel polished finish, allen head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.40

HCP330SET6 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless steel polished finish, allen head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 6.00



- These replacement allen-head, hex-drive screws have a black oxide-coated finish and are made from alloy steel. Use with the HCP342 lock washers listed further below:

HCP339 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish, allen head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.20

HCP339SET10 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish, allen head hex-drive short carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 10:
$ 9.00



HCP340 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish, allen head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREW, each:
$ 1.20

HCP340SET6 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish, allen head hex-drive long carb hat MOUNTING SCREWS, set of 6:
$ 6.00



k5) Hitachi carb diaphram cover mounting screw LOCK WASHER[/b].....uses 16 per carb rack. NOTE: originally, these washers were integral to the mounting screws and featured a natural finish. Current OEM screws and all aftermarket screws do NOT have an integral lock washer and thus the lock washers must be ordered separately from the choices listed below. These lock washers will fit either the short or the long hat mounting screws listed above.


HCP326 OEM alloy-steel, natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHER, each:
$ 0.75

HCP326SET4 OEM alloy-steel, natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 4:
$ 2.50

HCP326SET16 OEM alloy-steel, natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 16:
$ 9.00



HCP922 Aftermarket alloy-steel, natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHER, each:
$ 0.50

HCP922SET4 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 4:
$ 1.50

HCP922SET16 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 16:
$ 4.00



HCP336 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHER, each:
$ 0.60

HCP336SET4 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 4:
$ 2.00

HCP336SET16 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 16:
$ 5.00



HCP342 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHER, each:
$ 0.50

HCP342SET4 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 4:
$ 1.50

HCP342SET16 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish carb hat mounting screw LOCK WASHERS, set of 16:
$ 4.00




k5) Hitachi carb diaphram cover mounting screw FLAT WASHER.....use 1 per carb rack, on the #2 carb rear position where the vacuum line clip attaches (this position uses both a lock washer and a flat washer). NOTE: originally featured a natural finish.

HCP328 OEM alloy-steel natural finish carb hat mounting screw FLAT WASHER, each:
$ 0.75

HCP924 Aftermarket alloy-steel natural finish carb hat mounting screw FLAT WASHER, each:
$ 0.15

HCP338 Aftermarket 18-8 stainless-steel polished finish carb hat mounting screw FLAT WASHER, each:
$ 0.20

HCP1356 Aftermarket black oxide-coated steel finish carb hat mounting screw FLAT WASHER, each:
$ 1.50

 

OK; Finally got back into the garage to take a close look at these new carb hats and oh, boy are they nice. My spare rack o'carbs has unsalvageable hats, these are gonna be just the ticket:




From taking a real close look and comparing the repros to the originals, I found a glaring innacuracy: The repros are actually BETTER than the originals! Take a look at this pic; I outlined the most obvious area. The original Mikuni hats all have tooling "stretch marks" around where the sides meet the "brim" the repros do not have ANY marks. Plus the chrome is a lot better than the originals. I'm gonna be swapping these onto whichever rack ends up on the bike the most.




Now here's the real bling: "midnight Mikunis" (there were no such things) but they sure will look good on a black bike:




I poppped one on; pardon the grubbiness of the rest of the bike, it's a WIP.