Top 10 Newbie Mistakes? Reinstalling Carbs ('82 GS1100GK)

[stanzukowski]

I've been enjoying and benefitting from the "Top 10 Newbie Mistakes" on the general tech forum.

Last night MR K posted this nugget:

"Putting on your carbs and forgetting to put on the fuel line beforehand."

And it couldn't have come at a better time, as I'm just about to reinstall the rebuilt carbs on my '82 GS110GK.

Then I thought ~ are there any OTHER carb-related newbie pointers regarding re-installing the carbs that may save me some headache?

[TheCafeKid]

Yeah... Fuel line, and the throttle and choke cable should be attached before you get them in place...cause trying to do those things afterwards, (and believe me, ive tried doing ALL of those things after the fact, it sucks) is a major PITA. And its very disheartening to realize, after fighting with the boots and making sure everything is nice and tight and sealed, that you're going to have to take them back out.


Oh, and one other thing ive learned, I will usually fill the carb bowls with some gas prior to installing them to make sure ive got all my drain bolts snuggled up tight and have no leaks anywhere... I use one of those "two cycle mixing syringes" you can get at the autoparts store to fill em...

[stanzukowski]

I can now add two more mistakes to my own thread.

~ Remember to put the hose clamps on the carb boots before you put the carbs back on.

~ Make sure the screws on the hose clamps are aimed in the proper direction before you put the carbs back on.

[MisterCinders]

I can now add two more mistakes to my own thread.

~ Remember to put the hose clamps on the carb boots before you put the carbs back on.

~ Make sure the screws on the hose clamps are aimed in the proper direction before you put the carbs back on.

Was about to post that second tip. Nothing sucks like tightening three clamps and finding the last one turned out of position.

Also, if you have pods, remember to put that last one on before starting the bike. Unless I am tearing down the carbs, I leave the pods on when pulling them to adjust a fuel screw or change jets. I have to remove the pod for No. 1 though, to get past the clutch cable. One time I neglected to put that pod back. When I started the bike, the RPMs skyrocketed with all that naked air on one cylinder.

Of course, I killed the engine in seconds, but it sure spooked the hell out of me.

[Steve]

One time I neglected to put that pod back. When I started the bike, the RPMs skyrocketed with all that naked air on one cylinder.

You must have had something else wrong, because one missing pod (or ALL of them, even) will not affect your idle speed at all.


Back to Mr. Zukowski's question: yeah, make sure you have your fuel line on the carbs, and it helps if it's the OEM-spec 7mm tubing. It's so much nicer to be able to just slide the hose into place on the fittings and slide it off again when necessary, without having to worry about any clamps.

Make sure your vent hoses are attached, too, as well as the vacuum tube for the petcock.

TCK mentioned attaching the throttle and "choke" cables. What I do is to slide my carbs in from the right. When the throttle linkage is about lined up with #4 intake tube, lift the throttle linkage all the way, hold it there with your left hand on the linkage between 1 and 2. Slide the throttle cable into the now-exposed hole in the linkage, then let it close.

Since you have an '82, you can slide your "choke" cable through the guide, then latch it into place in front of carb #4.

Finally, you can slide the carbs to the left and into the intake boots. Clamp them into place, bring the airbox forward and clamp its boots into place. Bolt the airbox to the frame at the top and you are done.

.

[stanzukowski]

I remembered thanks to CafeKid to put the hoses on, but I, er, neglected to attached the throttle and choke cable. Should I pull the carbs back out again, or do you think I can get those cables attached with the carbs in place?

[Dogma]

Yes, pull the carbs again. One the shafties, it's easier than trying to get the cable on in situ. Especially if you have fresh intake rubber.

[stanzukowski]

Okay. Damn. I knew that'd be the answer, just hoping otherwise

Getting those carbs back on was like pushing a baby elephant back into its mother. Purtnear gave myself a hernia.

[Dogma]

Okay. Damn. I knew that'd be the answer, just hoping otherwise

Getting those carbs back on was like pushing a baby elephant back into its mother. Purtnear gave myself a hernia.

Yeah, sounds like you still have the original intake boots. Try getting one end snapped into the boot before the others. I used to sit on the frame so I could get better leverage. One of the benefits of new boots (apart from not leaking) is that the carbs will jump on all by themselves. Almost.

Don't hurt yourself... You have one of those kidney belt things?

[stanzukowski]

The boots are brand new, but they're the OEM style. I finally put some spit around the inside edges of the boots. That, coupled with sitting on the bike (as you also suggested), lots of shouting and grunting, and they finally popped on.

Now I get to do it again! Yay me.

[Steve]

No, you should be able to connect the cables the way I suggested.

It might help if you have a small "poker stick" to help fiddle the throttle cable into its hole, but lift the throttle, hold it on the left side of the carbs, put the cable in from the right. It's a 'fiddly' proposition, but it's possible.

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