What product for soaking Carb parts.

[Anonymous]

OK Gang.
I’ve got a simple question. I just got a 1978 GS 750 that needs some TLC. I need to rebuild the carbs. What carb cleaner would you recommend to soak the carb parts in?
I’ve even had someone recommend Pine Sol. (a household cleaner).

Thanks
Roman

[Anonymous]

When I did small engine repair we always used a spray carb cleaner, not a soak. We had a tank for soaking large parts (crank cases) but small parts can generally be sprayed off for much less cost and trouble.

Spraying will also give the added bonus of a little pressure, just watch you don't send parts flying.

As always keep all carb cleaners and stripping baths away from rubber gaskets and seals.

[shaftzuki]

Berryman's makes a great carb cleaner - you can get it at most auto parts stores, comes in a gallon can with a dip basket for smaller parts - stuff works great and they claim it's bio-degradable.

[silverhorse47]

Hi Roman,

I use brake fluid...it works well.

[Anonymous]

I also have a 78 750 and I cleaned the carbs with a soak solution and let me tell you they were clogged up rock solid. I used some really caustic stuff (it was yellow and looked like antifreeze) I picked it up at PEP BOYS and it came in what looked like a paint can (sorry I can't remember the name) and it worked incrediblly. Dipped them for a couple of hours and they were as good as new (after 5 years of sitting around and never started) after blowing them out with a compressor. Good luck.....

[robertbarr]

Berryman's is the only way to fly. I paid about $13 for the gallon can with the dip bucket. The only downside is, the smell stayed on my hands for about a month.

It would probably help to clean up the carbs physically first, so as to avoid contaminating the Berryman's.

[Dave_A]

Carb Cleaner

The bike that brought me here ('82 GS450TX) just started up yesterday after a good carb cleaning and some other miscelanious work...

I used Berrymans B-12 ChemTool (on the advise of others here). The can I used was a spray-can, with a WD-40 style red-straw. I don't know how bad my carbs were before I used it, but the bike had been sitting since 1999, the fuel valve was frozen (had to use pliers to turn it), and the gas in the tank was yellow & smelled like mineral spirits.

Now it runs fine (with a few 'misadventures' along the way)...

[Anonymous]

If youre really stretched you can use white vinegar, although its not recommended to leave parts soaking in it for a long time

[Anonymous]

Roman check the local parts store for a jug of Junk comes with a dipping bascket worked great on mine

[SqDancerLynn1]

With 78 model it should have the slide type carbs like my 79GS850 you can do a very good job cleaning them without removing the carbs from each other,makes the job easier. Just remove the floats, needle and seat and all of the jets. Leave the carb slides alone, don't remove them. Get 6-8 job size cans of carb spray, depending how dirty they are. The slide type carbs are not as tempermental as the later BS vacuum type carbs. Just make sure all of the jets and passages are clean. Check the air screw and the fuel screw to see where they are set before you take then apart

[Anonymous]

With 78 model it should have the slide type carbs like my 79GS850 you can do a very good job cleaning them without removing the carbs from each other,makes the job easier. Just remove the floats, needle and seat and all of the jets. Leave the carb slides alone, don't remove them. Get 6-8 job size cans of carb spray, depending how dirty they are. The slide type carbs are not as tempermental as the later BS vacuum type carbs. Just make sure all of the jets and passages are clean. Check the air screw and the fuel screw to see where they are set before you take then apart

Correct my carbs are the slide type. I will give it a try. I cleaned my carbs on the water buffalo as you suggested and it seemed to work fine, its just that these carbs are really messed up.
Any other suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks gang.

Roman

[Anonymous]

Water Buffalo

Didn't know there was anybody else on the GS list with a Buffalo! Bob

[Anonymous]

Yes my other Jewel

I have a 1975 GT750 It's been a great piece of my personal History. I've owned it since 1978. Put a lot of miles on it. I have about 2000km on a fresh motor. Last time I had it out it was running great. My winter project plans are to get it to look as stock as possible. I don’t have much work really, just some pin striping, paint and a seat required.

Roman.

[Anonymous]

Soak products (I think??)

I just got a 72 J model that is getting a lot of TLC. The guy handed me the gas tank after it sat for 12 years saying "Hey, what do you know, it's still got gas in it!" I bet you can see my face Anyways, I have used a dip called TYME carb cleaner. I don't know if it's any better or worse than the rest. Got any pics of your Buffalo on the web? Bob

[Anonymous]

12 years???
That’s when gas was inexpensive.
No I don't have any photos on the web, actually I don't have any photos of the bike. I'll have to get to work on that.

A 72 Water buffalo. What a great project bike. Do you know if the crank seals are OK? I've had to replace mine twice :x since I've owned it. It's a real pain.

Roman