Maxim X- Carb/Airbox boots ?

Hey guys, does anyone have some insight on the Maxim X carb boots ? It seems to me that the boots on the X are shorter that they are on my airhead, while getting this bike ready for my son to run this summer, i have been going thru all the basics ( wiring, fuel, spark, and vacuum, and so on). Learning how important air flow is on the XJ's, I noticed that the boots running into the airbox were all 4 not seated into the ridge on the boot. You can see light from all of them with a flashlight, now when looking closer they seem shorter on the boot side and the air manifolds going into the carbs seem longer that they are on my Maxim N. Also they are very, very hard to the touch, Now the struggle i had getting my boots on my airhead last year, I need advise on how to remove, soften and re-install these boots to stop the unwanted air flow past the airbox, and maybe i need to contact chacal for replacements, I know the air box does not come out (with-out engine removal or destroying the box) so i am about to unbolt manifolds from cylinder heads to pull all 4 carbs out and then re-install boots, but i sure would like some input first. Sorry for the long story, just trying to give the gurus the whole pic so i get a solid answer. You guys always rock with your knowledge, Thanks in advance

 

New carb to air box boot are available from Len and makes life so much easier. Old boots get hard and shrink a bit causing much $")@&"$@$" words

 

While you are waiting for guru's, I'll offer this (keep in mind my experience is only with a plain old Maxim).

The airbox can be loosened and moved forward and back, not a lot but sometimes just enough. When I first got the bike the boots weren't fully seated on the carbs, moving the airbox forward cured that.

Good luck.

 

The Maxim-X boots are a LOT shorter than the airhead boots.

 

chacal, how to remove and restore and re-install these damn short hard boots, and do you have some replacements and price please, thanks guys, do have box loose and no offence on the guru remark Stumplifter !

 

Len can hook you up with the new boots, he does great work. Just start a conversion with him and he will give you quick response. The boots that I got on the project X were nasty and supper hard. Not only were they past their prime they no longer were round. I could not imagine trying to pry the boot to airbox side in that little ridge. If they are not pliable well then a hair drier or a paint stripping gun on low will help to make them pliable. If they were like mine, there is no way I would keep them, go to Len.