Anyone in the Carolinas with carb rebuild skill?

Well, I've determined that I need to rebuild my carbs, even though the PO said they were professionally cleaned for 600 dollars, lol, yeah, maybe cleaned and put back together with the same parts! I think the floats are shot and that's why I'm getting gas in the oil, still running good but I know not to run it like that. I'm also waiting on the title for the bike, so I hope he doesn't screw me on that too. Anyways, my father-in-law is and old school general mechanic type guy and he generously offered to help me rebuild them but I would prefer to work with someone who has actually done them successfully. I'd be willing to travel to your location on a weekend or whatever and even throw in some cash for your time and valuable instruction. Let me know, once I get the title, I'm thinking about trying within the next month or two.

Peace,

Mac

 

"Bump!" No one? Title is supposed to be getting mailed out today, so I'm getting more confident about dumping some time and money into this bike. I'd be willing to pay a couple hundred dollars to someone to help me rebuild the carbs and possibly adjust the valves if they need it. I would greatly appreciate it as well!

mac

 

I can do it, done lots of carbs.
Here is a set I did for my Venture.
Post some pics of yours now so I can get a idea of what is needed.

 

They are Mikuni's for the 1982 XJ 550 Maxim. I'll round up some pictures/diagrams for you if I can. Thanks for the reply.

PS and those look REAL nice btw!

 

Hey Macros10. Check your fuel petcock while you are at it,If it gets even a bit of corrosion it will let gas freeflow thru the carbs and into the crankcase.Drew36

 

Hey Drew, I took the tank off tonight and it seems to only flow on prime, is that a good sign that the petcock is good, or is there some other tests I should perform? Also found a screw on bottom of one of the carbs leaking fuel, so it may suggest something going on with the carbs, waiting for a response on that one already. Drained oil but not filter but still smell fuel in oil...

 

Mac,

I've only been a member here a short while but I can tell you that if mlew is willing to help you, take him up on it. When you've built as many machines as I have, you develop a built-in bs detector. Lastly, the mic's are simple carbs to work on and a perfect set for you to practice and learn on. Who ever you get to help will probably show you what to do on one carb then let you do it for the rest. Just don't cheap out on the quality of the kits you buy. Also don't cheap out on your JIS screwdrivers, buy a decent set now on the net if you don't already own a set so you'll have them when it's time.

good luck and remember, it's easier to rethink how to do something then it is to fix what you broke!

jeff

 

Get both your rebuild kits and JIS screwdrivers from Len (chacal). Yu can get shims, valve cover gaskets/donuts and whatever else you need. Then everything comes in one box and you're ready to go.

 

Hey all! Got the JIS screw drivers from Chacal and the aftermarket fuse box and a couple other little things!@ Gonna knock this out and then get the carb parts coming in. I would love to take mlew up on his offer and if our schedules can come together, it's on! lol! I may tinker with them myself before then, but I'll try to be careful and not mess anything up too bad. Thank you for your responses everyone!

 

So I decided to pull the carbs off and clean and rebuild the float bowls, wow, what a fun job! Was like cleaning a rifle but with gas all around, lol. Anyways, trying to get them back on the bike now and that is turning out to be quite the challenge, hopefully I have it licked. Got it off without pushing the boots back into the airbox, but putting it on is not happening with those boots on, took them off and now I'm trying to carefully push them back through the airbox and get them on the carb, my hand hurts! lol, glad it's fairly small. Any tips on this process? Soak the boots in warm soapy water maybe to soften them up? Don't have a heat gun or I'd try to heat them up.

 

I use silicone spray on the boots to help slide the carbs in.

 

Hey mlew, I ended up soaking them in hot water and greasing up the skids on the airbox holes, outer lip of the carbs, and then a little on the inside of the boots themselves where they connect. Not going to say it was easy, lol, but alot easier! Looks like they have to come back off though, it's idling real high now with the choke on and dying with no choke. Plus the throttle is not snapping into place, would that be throttle shaft seals going out? Almost seems like I stretched the throttle cable, because it snapped nicely before I pulled and cleaned the carbs. Seems like some gas is leaking out from under the idle adjuster nob as well, wish me luck!

 

Yep I'd say you have a float not working with fuel comming out. They will have to come out again to fix.Throttle shaft seals don't usually stick and cause the throttle to stay open. There is probably some binding in the linkage between the carbs. Bad shat seals will make it impossible to get a good smooth idle.
To bad you aren't a little closer I would come on evening to see whats going on. Don't get discouraged , keep a it.