Intake boots

[dbarnes42]

I have a 79 GS850. I have replaced the intake boots and I have a extra set. The carbs fit into the other set of boots fine, but the holes where it mounts to the head are further apart and the o rings are larger. Can I dremel/notch out the holes and use the other set of boots? I think I should be able to do this, but I am a little concerned about creating to much of a step in the intake. Has anyone done this before or could anyone give me some guidance on this?

[C.V.]

You have the wrong boots. The boots for your '79 (VM carbs) use the small o rings, '80 and up use the large.. I would get the right boots for your bike. Remember there are right and left side boots, so you'll have 2 part numbers.

[tas850g]

i don't think i knew that there were left and right boots when i ordered new ones for my '79. flatoutmotorcycle only has one part number for the boots.

[bwringer]

i don't think i knew that there were left and right boots when i ordered new ones for my '79. flatoutmotorcycle only has one part number for the boots.

Correct -- the '79 GS850 used smaller boots (all the same) with 32mm ID o-rings (the sync ports are in the cylinder head), and the '80+ GS850 used larger boots, 2 left and 2 right, with 38mm ID o-rings and sync ports on the boots.

[C.V.]

Correct -- the '79 GS850 used smaller boots (all the same) with 32mm ID o-rings (the sync ports are in the cylinder head), and the '80+ GS850 used larger boots, 2 left and 2 right, with 38mm ID o-rings and sync ports on the boots.

Oops. Trying to post too many things in too little time, gots myself all fuddled! Sorry for the error!

[rockhound]

Correct -- the '79 GS850 used smaller boots (all the same) with 32mm ID o-rings (the sync ports are in the cylinder head), and the '80+ GS850 used larger boots, 2 left and 2 right, with 38mm ID o-rings and sync ports on the boots.

So I take it you can't interchange heads without switching carbs as well?

[Big T]

Correct, the later heads have bigger ports for the CV carbs.

You can, however, use a bigger VM or other slide carb with the big port heads.

Not that this would be very useful on an 850. A number of 1000 owners have done it when the put 33mm carbs on their bikes.