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How do YOU put the carbs back on?

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by dubyaohohdee, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. dubyaohohdee

    dubyaohohdee Member

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    I know this has been covered before. But even after searching I am not getting a real clear picture as to the "preferred" method of installation. I spent an hour last night getting my carbs on and still have to do the air boots tonight.

    I started with trying to get one side in at a time. No luck. Carb 1 in, carb 4 out. Switch to carb 4 side, put carb 4 in carb 1 comes out. repeat.

    Ultimately, i straddled the tankless/seatless bike and sort of did a bent over bicep curl to get them in place. I had the lower edge in 1st so the carbs were tilted down in the rear.

    Any other tips?
     
  2. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    2 of these can help.[​IMG]
     
  3. markie

    markie Member

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    I read on this site that dipping the airbox boots in boiling water quickly makes them resume their original shape.

    Lots of patience and perhaps a bicycle tyre lever to help the boot over the middle carbs - if you use a screwdriver, you'll regret it!!
     
  4. mlew

    mlew Well-Known Member

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  5. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I do a little modification, ... here and there ... and take the fight out of reinstalling Carbs.

    I use a long, Hickory, hammer handle to push the Carbs around.

    Before installing the carbs, ... I increase the Inside Diameters of the four Airbox Openings.
    Likewise, ... I use a few fabricated tools to:
    a) Slightly widen the Airbox Boot Locating Channel
    b) Slightly reduce the Outside Diameter of the Boot between the Ribs or the Locating Channel.
    c) Apply Paste Wax to Openings in Airbox
    d) Treat Boot Locking Channel with Silicone followed with a Gel Lubricant.

    1) Clean Boots
    2) Wrap Boots in wet towel
    3) Microwave 40-seconds
    4) Install: 3, 2, 4, 1
    5) Rotate Boot at Box -- Use "Shoe horn" tool to flip end of Boot over Intake Horn.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    On the 550s I put the UPPER edge in all 4 first then kind of roatate them down into place. Silicone grease helps immensely. My airbox boots are relatively nice and pliable, so I just leave them where they are and "mash" the carbs into place then fiddle with them. On the other bike with stiffer airbox boots I push the outer two back into the airbox and only mash past the inner two.

    To restore the airbox boots to flexibility (and closer to original dimension) you don't dip them quickly, you BOIL them. Actually, drop them into rapidly boiling water, then remove from heat and allow to cool with the boots kept submerged. Once cooled, remove from the water, schpritz down with WD40 to remove all traces of moisture and towel off with a shop towel. Apply Armor-All or other protectant, allow to penetrate, wipe off excess and reinstall.

    I boiled an "extra" boot about two years ago and left it on the bench; it's still more pliable than before boiling. But then again, it hasn't been through any more heat cycles.

    Boiling doesn't fully restore the dimensions either. They tend to shrink and stay shrunk. Luckily, replacements are cheap.
     
  7. parts

    parts Member

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    Armoral, works great and polishes the boots to boot (hee hee).

    +1 on hot water and/or micro.


    I also spin them on.
     
  8. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Another little trick that eliminates some frustration at, a critical juncture, is both a time saver and a cosmetic enhancement.

    Replace all the Manifold and Air Boot Clamp Fasteners with Stainless Hardware that is just -- slightly -- longer than stock.

    They look real nice.
    They also can be opened wide enough to allow the Carbs and Boots to be removed and replaced, leaving the screw in the Clamp, ... so it doesn't get misplaced and you need not fight with the Clamp replacing the screw.
     
  9. PTSenterprises

    PTSenterprises Member

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    I use a wooden hammer handle between the airbox and carbs to basically press them onto the boots. While holding the #1 side by hand I pop the #4 on with the handle, then hold that side by hand and pop the the #1 in place to seat them all. The airbox boots work best coming up from below by putting the carb side up in first then rotate the back up and in between the box and carb. Do the two inners first, then both outers. Its helps if they are not all cold and hard. Mine are pretty soft and go in easily.
     

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