Idea's as to what went wrong?

[hampshirehog]

I have seen this twice before on 1000Gs ....and you were lucky as you still have most of the bike left. I've got a photo somewhere of the last one that caught fire in the airbox - if I can find it I'll post it and you can see how lucky you were.

However, both those bike caught fire in the garage and I put it down to dodgy float valves. Could be the same reason on your bike I suppose but less likely. I guess you didn't have any problems with it spitting back?

Edit: 3 1000Gs - just remembered one for sale at Netley in 2009. Guy wanted £300 for it - needed about £1k spent on it. That was also a garage casualty

[hampshirehog]

Wow. I was not expecting that at all. Seems like about the only way fuel could be ignited back there would have been a backfire (no pun intended).

Not necessarily - fumes from the airbox being set on fire by a short somewhere near the battery. Airbox full of fuel = kaboom.

[chuck hahn]

You said none of the melted rubber made it into the intake tract..but i still would do a full Berryman soak and reset the float levels. The one air jet and one slide look at least coated in some goop.

[7981GS]

Just got back from picking up another 50 carb allen bolts and 25 intake manifold allen bolts.
The carbs are getting a thorough cleaning and jet changes for the pods.
The intake manifolds are getting new O-rings just because.

More later...

Daniel

[ddaniels]

Wow! That's a first for me too. Sure glad your bum didn't get singed.

[Buffalo Bill]

Funky stuff…

So, fuel mixture filled the airbox and ignited.
Blowby gas from the crankcase, too much means worn cylinder walls or burnt through piston top.

Carbs flooding, that can happen.

Ignited by a backfire, or a hot valve.

Some basic things to check:
Compression test
Float levels

Bill

[BassCliff]

Wow Daniel!

I'm happy you survived that little incident. I think I'll go home and clean my airbox.

I wonder what ignited the fumes in there? It's fortunate that the fire didn't spread.


Take care,

Cliff

[7981GS]

I have mentioned this before and doubt that anyone caught it.
So, with a friend holding the camera, I can show just how easy it is to remove carb
float pins without breaking the stands.
Of course, THIS ONE had to be difficult. Normally, they just pop out and back in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peZx6UeOVmI

Daniel

[Dogma]

I use that method too, but I like to support the post into which the pin is pressed. The one with the head end of the pin. I just hold it with the hand that doesn't have the center punch in it. Don't slip though; it hurts.

[Charlie G]

Nice techique. I'm going to have to get one of those punches now.

cg

I have mentioned this before and doubt that anyone caught it.
So, with a friend holding the camera, I can show just how easy it is to remove carb
float pins without breaking the stands.
Of course, THIS ONE had to be difficult. Normally, they just pop out and back in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peZx6UeOVmI

Daniel

[7981GS]

Made a little progress on the carbs. on Goldy.
Started out not looking too terrible...





Too cheap for new ones so it was time to fire up the fine wire wheel on the die grinder.
With some new O-rings from Robert Barr of course!



The K & N filters are cleaned and air drying over-night.

Took the GSX for a shake down ride again. After finding difficulty getting it lean enough at idle,
I found the UNOPENED BAG of pilot jets that I thought that I put in the carbs!
So, it must have the 40's in it. Duh!

Anyway, once you get past 3-4,000 rpm, hang on for dear life!
So those carbs are coming back off after this one is finished.

Daniel

[gearheadE30]

Interestingly enough, my intakr boots also look like they caught on fire at some point. They didn't completely close off like that, but it is very interesting that this issue isn't necessarily unique to your bike...

[7981GS]

Got the carbies together with improved jetting for the pods.
Don't look much different as I didn't feel like spending any time making them look pretty.
I prefer to ride rather than polish and paint and wait.



Short video of start up while it breathes a little excess K & N filter oil.
I let them soak for about 2 hours while I changed the plugs, gapped them to .028 (.030-.032 out of the box), put anti-seize on the threads,
changed the oil and filter (1 quart Valvoline racing 20W-50 Syn., 1 quart Valvoline 20W-50 Syn., and 2 quarts of Rotella 5W-40 Syn.)
As Winter is just about here and I ride through it, I went with the thinner oil blend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10--yNkS3sU

As they say, CV carbs just do not work with pods.

Daniel

[Steve]

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.

.

[chef1366]

Daniel? Better but a stock airbox on
That sounds like crap!