Hints for Installing carbs on a 1979 GS1000

[dubwicht]

,I am going to install the carbs on my GS1000L and was looking for tips. The gap is the smallest I have ever seen on a four and I am worring about damaging the air box boots. I have worked on CB650's, several XS1100's and a CB900. I have been thinking that I should take the bolts out of the air box and grease the box boots. Thanks.

[Nessism]

First thing, did you rebuild the carbs? Take them all apart, clean everything, put back together with new O-rings and bowl gaskets? Replace the rubber carb boots, or at least the large O-rings? If not, you would be well advised to do it now, so you can avoid you having to remove the carbs again in the near future.

Regarding installing the carbs, I suggest unbolting the airbox and shoving it back as far as it will go. Once you get the carbs roughly in place, pull the airbox forward onto the backside of the carbs, and tighten the clamps. Last step, slide both carbs and airbox together, and install the carbs into the rubber boots on the head.

[dubwicht]

Thank you so much Ed. I did clean and service the carbs. They were in better shape than I expected. The bike is low mileage and the owner was good about maintaining the carbs but not the brakes, valves etc. I rebuilt the brakes and adjusted the valves. Also installed the Polaris rectifier/regulator and new ignition coils. The bike did run before I did all this but not very well. I am hoping to fire it up again this spring. However, the best laid plans..........

[Big T]

I tilt the engine side up and slide into the airbox boots until the front of the carbs drop into the engine boots
Fasten airbox boots, slide into engine boots, tighten, then remount the air box
Don't forget to loosely install the cables before installation. Pop them into place and adjust slack after carbs are installed

[chuck hahn]

Put a strip of sheet metal against the airbox boots and work them into position and insert in intake manifolds. Metal takes the snagging of the boots away. Once in intakes slide the sheet metal out and seat the airbox

[jdub6092]

Push the airbox all the way back, install the carbs into the engine side, then tilt up and line up/drop onto the airbox boots.
I use a little lube (dielectric grease is what i had available) on the carb side, then use a heat gun to warm up the boots and work in.
What used to be hell, became routine when I followed this method.

[alke46]

My tip to get all the room possible is to use a ratchet strap on the air box boots. With the air box bolts removed, I find a place to attach the hooks on the ratchet strap and then gently tighten the strap until the boots are as far away from the carbs as possible. Works for me. Hope it works for you.