another goop question. What to put on Carb boots to make reinstall a bit easier?

[Guest]

Taking off the carbs was kind of a pain but once I read here about levering them off my taking out 4 and 3 first and going that way it wasnt too bad. But in about 2 days I will be putting it all back together .. I hope! Are you putting anything on the rubber to facilitate re installation. WD40 or?

I searched through 4 pages of "carb boot" and no one mentions any liquid to facilitate reinstall so I am assuming everyone is doing it dry but figured I would ask. I also have paste wax, spray wax and tuff glide on hand.

[roeme]

WD40 is better than nothing if you don't have vaseline. In my case, a 550 – which has the most cramped airbox/carb space of them all – unbolting the airbox and vaseline made things much, MUCH easier.

Don't know about the other products.

Not sure about the current temps at your place, but note that the rubber is much more malleable when heated up a bit. There are WORLDS between chilly underground parking, room temp, and outside on a sunny day.

[Steve]

If it is that hard to put the carbs back in (no mention of what bike, by the way), you probably need to think about getting new boots.

Yeah, not cheap, but WELL worth the cost.

.

[Nessism]

If you use slippery stuff the boots may slip off the carbs when you tighten the clamps.

Best method I've found is to first install the airbox boots onto the back side of the carbs and then tighten the clamps. Again, no greasy stuff allowed. Then slide both the carbs and airbox forward together and shove the carbs into the boots on the head. Last step is to bolt the airbox to the frame.

[JTGS850GL]

I use a tie down strap to pull the carbs into place once they're lined up. You just pull the strap around the carbs, all the way around the engine and back to the carbs hooking the two sides together along the side of the engine. Holding the carbs in place with one hand you ratchet down the strap and pull the carbs into the boots. Makes it MUCH easier than trying to force them in by hand. A light coating of silicone spray makes it easier as well. Never had an issue with the clamps forcing the carbs back out while using the silicone lubricant.

[Boriqua]

Thanks guys .. its a 82 gs 750e. The boots are still very pliable and feel newish but there is a fair ridge that you have to go over and then the boots have a molded piece that fits in a groove in the carbs where the clamps go over. When I removed the carbs I loosened boots 3/4 at the engine and rotated them down. then I was able to push down and toward the airbox starting at 4 and the carbs came right out.

I hadnt thought of Vaseline. There has to be some around here somewhere. Its one of those things like ben gay and heating pads that you grew up around and swore you would never own and then you get old and .. holy moly somehow it appears in your house. I swear you dont even have to buy it .. it just appears at a certain age. I was worried that anything I put to help slide the carbs back in might get into the engine and harm it but I cant see how a thin skim of Vaseline could hurt it.

The ratchet strap idea is brilliant.

[mrbill5491]

Thanks guys .. its a 82 gs 750e. The boots are still very pliable and feel newish but there is a fair ridge that you have to go over and then the boots have a molded piece that fits in a groove in the carbs where the clamps go over. When I removed the carbs I loosened boots 3/4 at the engine and rotated them down. then I was able to push down and toward the airbox starting at 4 and the carbs came right out.

I hadnt thought of Vaseline. There has to be some around here somewhere. Its one of those things like ben gay and heating pads that you grew up around and swore you would never own and then you get old and .. holy moly somehow it appears in your house. I swear you dont even have to buy it .. it just appears at a certain age. I was worried that anything I put to help slide the carbs back in might get into the engine and harm it but I cant see how a thin skim of Vaseline could hurt it.

The ratchet strap idea is brilliant.

Okay, your bike isn't that big of a deal. Make sure the filter box is out, and the air box is loose and start with the two middle boots first, using a little silicone helps them slide on. Get the middle ones on and then the outside ones on, make sure your clamps are loose and on their respective boot. Rotate the boots until they all line up on the carb and intake part. Takes a little fiddling though nothing serious. Once you have those boots lined up sung down the clamps, don't tighten just yet. Now take the air box and manipulate boots over the carb throats. Make sure your clamps are loose on the boots. Once you get that done, then snug down the to retaining bolts for the air box. Check all your boots again and start tightening down the clamps. Reinstall the filter box and your done. One thing I have found out is the clamps will stretch out over time, I had to buy new clamps for everything to tighten down right. Fire the bike up and check for any air leaks.

[hillsy]

Heat gun on the rubbers prior to install is probably the least messy solution.

[GSXR7ED]

Okay, your bike isn't that big of a deal. Make sure the filter box is out, and the air box is loose and start with the two middle boots first, using a little silicone helps them slide on. Get the middle ones on and then the outside ones on, make sure your clamps are loose and on their respective boot. Rotate the boots until they all line up on the carb and intake part. Takes a little fiddling though nothing serious. Once you have those boots lined up sung down the clamps, don't tighten just yet. Now take the air box and manipulate boots over the carb throats. Make sure your clamps are loose on the boots. Once you get that done, then snug down the to retaining bolts for the air box. Check all your boots again and start tightening down the clamps. Reinstall the filter box and your done. One thing I have found out is the clamps will stretch out over time, I had to buy new clamps for everything to tighten down right. Fire the bike up and check for any air leaks.

Good advice! I manipulated the boots as described; lots of wiggling the carbs up/down to shimmy them out.

My carbs came off somewhat easy the second time (so I could send to Steve for rebuild). I've since gotten them back and will re-install as outlined by MrBill.


Ed

[gsrick]

I use a tie down strap to pull the carbs into place once they're lined up. You just pull the strap around the carbs, all the way around the engine and back to the carbs hooking the two sides together along the side of the engine. Holding the carbs in place with one hand you ratchet down the strap and pull the carbs into the boots. Makes it MUCH easier than trying to force them in by hand. A light coating of silicone spray makes it easier as well. Never had an issue with the clamps forcing the carbs back out while using the silicone lubricant.

This is the same way I do it and I keep the rubber dead blow or mallet handy to nudge them in. Make sure to loosen up the boot clamp more than you think. They come out easier than going in.