Awesome Alt. to Airbox to Carb Boots

Lorne317.
I'm so happy I could kiss you twice on the cheeks my friend
Today Lorne made a suggestion that a Plumbing Coupling 1 1/2" from a hardware store would make a great alt for the boots.
And with a little bit of filing down on the rubber the airbox boot was born with a perfect fit.
NO MORE AIR LEAK!!
My plugs are now tan and beautiful for only 3.80 a boot. Even comes with two clamps.
I'm so happy.
You know how much money that saved me!?!
Anyone with dry, cracked boots, replace them now!

-SLKid

 

oh my God oh my God oh my God
so home depot or lowes?

 

Home depot had it in the plumbing section. Lowes i'm sure will have it too. I just think thats wicked awesome.

 

I have been searching ebay to replace those booties! This just gives me another reason to go to Home Depot or Lowes!

 

Could you post a pic of what it is you are talking about? I know what the boots are... what is the coupling?

 

I think its an 1 1/2 inch flex coupler (rubber) just ask the sales guys they should know.

 

SLK got a pic for everyone?

 

that's a Great Idea.
Couple of questions though. The couplings that I've eyed with evil intent in the past are Really thick stiff rubber. .. No problems with Vibration transference that you've now noticed? Also My airbox inlet is simply a hole in the box it has No lip to attach a simple coupler to, unfortunately.
Also Not understanding Why? or even How?
an "air leak"... before.. the Carburettor body would affect the Mixture significantly enough to cause a plug burn colour change ?
From a simple damaged boot , as opposed to entirely missing one
are the other Airbox Inlet tubes somehow plugged?

 

Well your originial boot has two lips that slip around your airbox. And yes, that rubber is thick, but that means you can cut you own lip into it and make it seal to your airbox. So that extra hose clamp that came with it, i just threw in the tool box for a rainy day.
Havent ridden yet with the new boot, but it sits reaaal snug. I made sure of it. My old boot never sealed properly and was causing an air leak, which caused my plugs to run a little lean. So putting this bad boy on has solved my Colortune problem. I couldnt get a yellow flame off three cylinders, got this baby installed and I now have tan plugs. Gonna re-sync too.
Preeety neat ya'll
-Chris

 

What did you use to make the cut?

 

G'day folks,they are kown here in AUS as a plumb quick.

cheers albear
8)

 

An air leak in even ONE intake boot spoils the "shared CFM volume" that Mr RickCoMatic has mentioned about 700 times.

The only air coming into the airbox must pass thru the little funnel at the top lid. Then all the vacuum signals pull correctly, and THEN you can tune your engine. Along with dozens of other factors that need to be spot-on like valve clearance, fuel level, and throttle shaft seals.

 

MadMax '85 -

I would recommend a dremel type tool to make the cut/do the trimming needed.

Everyone:

BE VEWY VEWY CAREFUL WITH THE CWAMPS. (ala Elmer Fudd)

Those clamps are much wider than the stock clamps and will extend over the edge of the lip on the carb, potentially cutting the boot against the carb.

 

If you are really clever with handling the Tool ... you can REMOVE the material from the AirBox Side of that coupling and fabricate a LOCATING Channel using a Dremel with a Medium Sanding Disc and a Cutting Wafer.

The Hose Clamps that come with it are Universals. Long and Wide.
Using those Clamps and getting a good fit is awkward.
You have to find the combination that allows you to still reach-in and adjust the Idle after they are secured.

After fooling with them for a few times, we tapered the AirBox Ends and jot them to work.

If they are a tight fit and BUCKLE when you insert them into the AirBox ...
Remove Material from the Outside Diameter of the HOSE.
Don't CUT the AirBox.

280 or 320 Sand Paper in an Orbital Sander.
Have somebody hold the sander.
Rotate the hose on the sandpaper.

 

Pics man! we need pics!!

 

I didnt make a cut, just sanded down the rubber behind the lip till it fitt good without "buckling"
Lol, RickOMatic always has gotta one up stuff
But yeah, one boot leak throws all the carbs off.
If i wanted to cut it though, I'd take my handy dandy razor, and make a "V" cut all along the center of the inner lip, and press it in. Cut again till perfect. Get my drift?? I'ma replace all mine end of the season, cause the rest of the boots are good. So when I clean the carbs, new boots.
-Chris
If ya'll really want pics I'll get a couple tomorrow after work

 

Pics would be cool. also if you have any prior to putting them on and how/where as to cut/sand/grind away. =)

 

+1 to pics ;-)

 

No really someone set-up a jig with a vice and a dremel and carved the "couplers" to fit.
:idea: :idea: :idea:

 

And here's the thread. Looks like a neat mod.
Is it worthy of a "sticky" ??

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... rt=15.html

 

Don't worry about brand or store. Any store with plumbing pipe supplies is likely to have them. All you need to worry about is: 1&1/2 to 1&1/2 rubber coupler. That and be sure it is longer than your old carb boot ... <grin>

 

Got pics.
Now back out to work on her some more!

-SLKid

 

Sweet! those with the link provided before...
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... rt=15.html

It all makes sence now =) Thank you =) Cheap and effective =)

 

I'm glad it worked out for you man,but I can't take credit for the idea,I just remembered seeing the thread from a while back.

 

They fit amazing, i couldn't stop laughing while I was putting them on.

One thing though, they fit PERFECT into my airbox, I don't see the need for shaving. what am I missing??? no buckling or anything...

 

I keep reading this thread to find out why anyone is cutting and shaving. Maybe it's because there are different distances between carbs and airboxes from bike to bike? half of my coupling is inside the airbox and the seam around the coupling seems perfectly snug. A bump for your input

 

Yamaman, yours fit perfect because your specific plumbing part was more "thin-walled" and the outside didn't need to be shaved- - I'm guessing.

So, where did you buy yours?? Manufacturer's name??
Either that or 650 Seca's have larger holes in the airbox ??
Some measuring and comparing is in order here.

 

Those "Ready-made" Rubber Boots that Yamaman found are a God-send.

Get the Manufacturer, Part Number and Model Number straight and Post it.
Miracle cures like those ...
Hard to come by!

Nice score!
Pass the word.

 

HAHA my pleasure guys, but I left town, got them at Lowes described I believe as 1 1/2 coupling, white cardboard label wrapped around them, black and red ink, and held in place w/ scotch tape. I'll get the part #'s from the garage garbage Thursday or Friday when I return

 

OK i had someone find them! manufacurer is American Value - flexible coupling 1 1/2" x 1 1/2", RC4023471. LOWES. please post your findings. I believe they were 3.47 each

 

If people keep finding these great fixes, poor chacal is going to go out of business.

I have an idea for a pilot screw!! you take a roofing nail, a slinky, a dime with a hole drilled in the center, a small rubberband... :lol:

 

sorry Chacal! I'll ordering something this weekend - promise

 

Don't worry about chacal, i got another order lined up soon that will keep him in business ;-P

 

Yamaman, sorry, too late, I'm cutting you off, no more parts for you!!

 

Just send me any leftover parts he's already paid for, ok? Same deal as last time. :twisted:

 

oh yeah... now i know why that sounds familiar. Chacal.. Bike nazi!

 

has anyone else got their hands on these puppies???

 

Lol, Doesnt look like it. Oh well. Keep this post is circulation anyway
-Chris

 

I did! I replaced all 4 of mine (even after buying one brand new one from chacal!) They work really well, and I find that removing the carbs is much easier...

I guess that's a good thing, right?

 

MadMaxim,
Si! did you find the need to grind or file grooves in the boots like the other members found necessary?

 

Not at all. Just slipped them right in.

I kept wondering if I needed to, but nope! They fit just fine right out of the package.

 

True story. My second one I made fit in. It buckled, and took a little elbow grease and some cursing, but it fit in perfect. So.... sweet! Two more and I'm done.

 

Sklid did you get the exact one's I found in Lowes? Rick thinks that brand/manufacturer might be the perfect fit, where other's have thicker ones which require some Persuading.

The info agian is:
manufacurer is American Value - flexible coupling 1 1/2" x 1 1/2", RC4023471. LOWES. please post your findings. I believe they were $3.47 each

 

Heres the ones I found at HD
Plumbquick 1 1/2

 

Is it possible to replace them without pulling the carbs?

PITA?

 

absolutely! just use your He-Man strength and don't be affraid of getting cut!

 

hey SLKid did you need to grind a groove or did they fit nice like mine?

 

If you're willing to compromise some finger dexterity and precision, mechanic gloves are knuckle savers.

 

I have 4 of these on my bike. They can be replaced with the carbs still on bike. Pull the old ones, and starting with carbs 2 or 3 (depending on which side of the bike you start on) flatten the plumbquick fitting and fold it in half. This will allow you to jam it in the hole in the air box. Afterward, pull them out and use your fingers to spread the opening of the plumbquick fitting, this will make them "pop" back to normal shape. Then, all you do is pull them on to the carbs and fasten.

 

I will be doing this tomorrow.

My boots are old, cracked and....well.......old.