Removing Carbs

Finally got some time to clean the carbs, though I am stuck as to wondering if there is a trick to get the carbs out of the 400 Maxim?? DO I have to pull out the airbox? Seen some vids where people mention to pull the airbox, but than I see people saying that you have to pull the motor to get the airbox out.
Can someone simplify this for me? Im a newb and am kinda stuck. Don't want to break anything further.

 

On my bike I pull the boots from behind the carbs. They pull out by simply pinching them together and pulling straight down one at a time.
You should not have to pull the airbox.

 

the boots going to the airbox or coming from the engine? I guess it is not s good idea to take the boots off from the engine?
I have like zero wiggle room. Really tight.

 

Anyone? I am getting frustrated here, nothing wants to budge and I am not about to force anything as I have zero money for repairs at the moment.

Is it ok to take the boots off from the engine block? The carbs would just fall out if I did that.

Well I wrenched a bit more and finally got them off!
The boots going to the airbox got a tad chewed up, is it ok to use them, there no real rips, just a couple cuts at the very end.

 

Ok maybe I should have said to the rear of the carbs... The back side if the carbs... The point closest to the back tire.

These are the boots you need to pull to remove the carbs.

 

Thanks. I do appreciate your help.

I am getting quite annoyed with whoever owned this bike before me. Bolts tightened way too much, stripped bolts, just a mess. I am not going to be able to finish because I need something to pull stripped bolts with. Sigh.

 

When you pull the rear boots, do you completely remove them? or just pull them off the carbs? There isn't a lot of clearance.

Also, the rails that the carbs are physically bolted to, do you remove those before or after you pull the carbs out of the bike?

I am getting ready to do at least a basic peek inside and see how fouled they are.

Thanks,

BTC

 

You should not have to remove any of the boots to get the carbs out. You do have to remove the mounting screws for the airbox so you can slide it back. Most Yamahas have 3 screws, one on top and one on either side. The airbox will only go back maybe an inch, but that is enough to wiggle the carbs through. A little silicone spray on the boots will help the carb rack slip through.

 

It is a real bitch getting them in and out. It is a MUST DO but believe everyone here... it sucks. When you get to the point where you think, "is it really this freakin' difficult?!" the answer is yes. Do not remove the rail. Do not remove any boots. The carbs come out as one piece and the boots and manifolds stay where they are.

 

I've been doing it wrong all this time... Damn.

 

I find the easiest thing to do is:

Remove tank, disconnect clutch cable, disconnect throttle cable

loosen the airbox bolts
loosen the clamps on the carbs
loosen the airbox boots on carb side
pull airbox back as far as possible - may only be 1/2"
push/squeeze airbox boots back into holes til just fronts are sticking out

loosen clamps on manifold side of carbs
wiggle/pry/pull carb rack straight back towards airbox
pull carb rack out the left side of the bike.

Installation is the opposite order.

Yeah , the first couple times can take a long time. My first carb pull took me over an hour and a half to get it out, and another couple to get it back in. Now after doing it quite a few times on quite a few bikes, I an have a rack out in a few minutes. Usually takes a few more to get it back in, but not bad. Just go methodically and don't get frustrated. My record is under 8 minutes from rack in hand to rack in bike, hooked up, and bike started. I did that at a Carb clinic with people watching. Perfect install, probably will NEVER happen again for me.................

dave fox