Can't get the carbs off.

[someguy]

I have just acquired a 1981 GS650g. It is currently not in running order and has been sitting for two years. Currently nothing on the carbs move (throttle or choke) and from what I am told they were part of the problem the bike stopped running.

I'm looking to rebuild them but first I need to get them off the bike. I've loosened the obvious clamps but and I can get it to separate from the airbox but I can't get it to come off on the front. Am I missing something here or do I just need to pull really hard on it? I'm not looking to force anything.

Also if anyone has a set of working carbs they would be willing to sell me I may be interested rather then messing too much with these.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. The bike was free, I'm looking at the refurbishing as a labor of love. I'll give a proper introductory post when I get home from work tonight, hopefully with pictures.

[spyug]

Brute force and ignorance

Loosen off all clamps. Push back airbox as far as you can. You may need to remove the battery and battery box to get it back far enough.

The manifolds get hard over time and shrink abit onto the carb throats. Crap gets around them too and forms a bit of a "glue". A little force is usually needed.

If you can get close enough to the manifolds (head side)spray with WD40 or some penetrant. Pull back and simultaneously wiggle the carbs up and down and they will pop free. Careful not to goudge a finger or two on any sharp bits.

Swearing also helps.

Good luck with them.
Cheers,
Spyug.

[renobruce]

On some bikes, I have had to use a long screwdriver between the motor and carbs to pry them off. Wrap a rag around the screwdriver.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!

Hi Mr. someguy,

I'm glad you found us. Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of suggestions and links to vendors and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I have been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. You'll find lots of GS lovin' there. We look forward to pictures! Not you, your bike!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[doctorgonzo]

If it sat for two years and the boots (on the engine side of carbs) have hardened and glued themselves to the carbs that much you're going to need to replace them anyway, so you can not worry much about nicking the boots up.

[mike-s]

On some bikes, I have had to use a long screwdriver between the motor and carbs to pry them off. Wrap a rag around the screwdriver.

Another handy one is a good long ring spanner (one that is about 5/8 or longer is a good length for leverage, my personal preference is a 19mm one that has a large offset from the handle to the ring, i.e. something like this, not like this.

(n.b. The o ring bit also means theres no pointy end bits to increase the likelyhood you stab or scratch anything on the bike or you!)

[waterman]

There is an additional screw clamp in between the two pieces of the airbox assembly. It secures the plenum to the box where the air filter is. Usually the screw is on the top. Loosening this clamp will allow the plenum to slide rearward, giving enough clearance to manipulate the carb bank around.

Brute force and ignorance--great quote.

[someguy]

There is an additional screw clamp in between the two pieces of the airbox assembly. It secures the plenum to the box where the air filter is. Usually the screw is on the top. Loosening this clamp will allow the plenum to slide rearward, giving enough clearance to manipulate the carb bank around.

Yeah I found that last night and that was the last real progress I had on this problem. I was just going into the garage to throw something away and ended up screwing with the bike for an hour. Its a real problem.

Wow you guys are great, thanks for the help and the info. Hopefully I'll be able to tackle this tonight.

[Suzuki_Don]

Hey SOMEGUY update your signature so we know what you are working on without having to read the text of your message and let us know where you are from.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Go to www.cycleorings.com for an O ring set, & learn to repair your carbs

[Buffalo Bill]

FNG Alert!

If it sat for two years and the boots (on the engine side of carbs) have hardened and glued themselves to the carbs that much you're going to need to replace them anyway, so you can not worry much about nicking the boots up.

Don't listen to this guy! You want to save every one of those boots, they cost money! They get flexible if you heat them up with a hair dryer.
Buy a service manual, before you louse up this bike for somebody who really wants it.

[Fenixgoon]

Don't listen to this guy! You want to save every one of those boots, they cost money! They get flexible if you heat them up with a hair dryer.
Buy a service manual, before you louse up this bike for somebody who really wants it.

man, a hairdryer is a good idea! i'll have to try that if i have any issues getting my carbs back on once they've been cleaned up.

[Steve]

A hair dryer may work to get the boots on or off, but there is nothing like new, soft boots.

Yeah, they may set you back about $80 or so,
but you won't have to worry about them for another 25-30 years.

.

[someguy]

I managed to get the carbs off with a bit of pulling and lots of WD-40. Didn't do any damage to the boots. From what I can tell and after talking to my friend and looking at the carbs this bike is a bit more neglected then I thought but its cleaning up and comming apart nicely.

Buy a service manual, before you louse up this bike for somebody who really wants it.

I'm pretty stubborn, now that I've sunk my teeth into this I'm going to finish fixing this up. The way it looks now I think I may be the only someone who wants it. Hopefully it will be more wanted in spring

[someguy]

Hey SOMEGUY update your signature so we know what you are working on without having to read the text of your message and let us know where you are from.

Done...I think.