Idea's as to what went wrong?

[Billy Ricks]

Anytime I've ever taken a set of carbs apart I purposely leave the pins out from fully seated a tiny bit so you can get a small screwdriver under them in the future.

[tkent02]

Once they are out, I chuck the pins in the drill, use it as a lathe and turn the shoulder down so it's not a press fit anymore. Then you can just push the pins out with a finger next time. There is no reason for the press fit.

[Dogma]

I like the idea of a spring-loaded punch for the pin removal.

I will have to try to remember to get on next time I am at Harbor Freight.

What I usually use is my 6" Channel-Loc pliers. Opened fully, they are just wide enough to straddle both legs. The jaws will be offset slightly, put the lower jaw over the end of the pin and squeeze gently. It will pop the pin out a couple of millimeters, just enough to get under the head with the wire cutters and pull the pin out.

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I've been using the automatic center punch for a while now. It does leave a mark in the end of the pin, so I've been thinking about blunting the point to stop that. If you're not careful with a sharp one, you can make a burr on the end of the pin that will interfere with removal and installation. Nothing you can't just file off, though.

[TheCafeKid]

Both Mikuni and Kehin pulled their heads out of somewhere with the later model carbs and the float pins are no longer press fit. They have a hold down screw and it's nice not to stress out over breaking a post.
The spring loaded punch is nice.

[chef1366]

I'm going to get one
I use a PJ1, a screw and a socket

[1948man]

When I got my 1100gL, it had pods but the PO gave me the original airbox just in case I could somehow salvage part of it. It looked just like your airbox. Maybe this condition runs in 1100's.

[850GT_Rider]

That amount of damage looks like more than just fumes....

What about this?: Just prior to the fatal ride, the petcock hung up a bit and dumped some raw gas that ended up pooling in the airbox?