Airbox to carb boots!

I started up the bike today, and as soon as I gave it some gas, it sounded like a Harley. It was pretty cool, but also not something the bike normally does. By the time I got into work, I figured something was up with the fuel mixture, and when I hopped off the bike to take a look, I noticed the airbox to carb boots had slipped about 1mm off the carb.

When I first started working on the bike, my buddy and I noticed this too - I laid it down pretty hard and we think the airbox got shifted - but we managed to push the box forward enough to just get the boots over the carbs. I did a search on here for the best way to get the boots on again, which I'll try as soon as I get home, but assuming the airbox is too far back, do I have any options other than longer boots?

I'm thinking duct tape, which isn't an ideal option (getting the damn boots back on is!), but if it keeps the seal intact without gunking up the carbs, I'm happy. Thoughts?

Thanks, guys!

 

Please forgive me if you already know this...

Maybe the airbox assembly just needs to be loosen (on mine, there are 3 bolts holding the thing in place) and pushed forward and tighten.

Or, maybe pull the carb a bit back away from the engine then tighten the engine manifold boots and do airbox boots next?

When I got my bike, all three bolts were missing from the airbox and the whole thing was loose. That didn't stop the PO from putting 7000 miles on it, even with all 8 boots clamps loose.

 

Ack, it must've run like hell with all eight boots loose.

I remember my friend and I messing with the box a bit to slide it as far forward as it could go, but I also only remember two bolts, not three. It's entirely possible we missed one along the way. I'll be sure to poke around when I get the seat off tonight.

As far as pulling the carb back, I'm willing to give it a shot, but my XJ CD is in the mail, and I'm not entirely comfortable with doing mechanical stuff without pretty pictures, since I'm new to this still .

Thanks for the advice. Any thoughts on the duct tape, just in case?

 

Carbs won't pull back. There is a groove on the throat and a lip in the carb holders that sits in there. They won't seal right if the lip isn't in the groove.

Not a lot of extra length on the air intake boots (at least on mine). Make sure you have the box in the correct position.

If you decide the box is damaged let me know. I have one laying around somewhere.

 

Well, I yanked off the tank and got them more or less back on where they need to be. The sound went away, which at least tells me it's not pulling as much air from the open. I'm not sure the box is actually damaged, but I'm definitely going to try the thermal tape idea if they slip off again.

 

I don't know about the design on XJ650 but I assume they're the same.

If so, there are two bolts up front, right under where the fuel tank bolt is. There's no need to unscrew those bolts completely, just enough to be able to slide forward and backward in the slots.

However, the third one is under the tool tray (you will need to remove the tray to access the third bolt), above the air filter box. Unscrew the third one completely.