This may seem stupid but....

Who often or what interval should you rip the carbs off and clean/rebuild them? I am putting a lot of miles on my bike (over 1,000 in the last month) and I was wondering what you guys suggest per your experience.

 

I read somewhere that you should do it before the beginning of the riding season which is an annual thing for most folks. Being in southern California, riding season is year round so every 6 months or so is a rule of thumb for me given the 1K+ per month mileage.
I started using Berrymann's B-12 Chemtool in my tank, a 1/4 can to a full tank of high-test, every six months and didn't need to clean them but once a year after that (and that was only to verify the Chemtool did its job). Fuel additives can be useful but only in a regular maintenance schedule, they are not a "fix-it in a can" for those issues that require a teardown (like the results of neglect).

 

According to the factory manuals, it's supposed to be part of the 5,000 mile service (when you check and adjust the valves.)

I try to only do it EVERY OTHER "service" interval, which is around 10K, unless issues develop.

 

Come on Big, we know you go out to the garage and rip them off your bikes just to pass the time.....

Fanaticism is sexy!

 

I've been known to remove them for something to occupy my tme. But once a year is a good interval , or if I notice a problem sooner.

 

can they ever be perfect LOL

 

I do them every season.

If your in the Neighborhood,, ... come-on by and watch.

I'm giving these Carbs "The Full Monte"

Just like the ones I just did for OldBikerDude.
He's got some Pics.

 

I put 90,000kms on my xj650 and never had them off once.....no issues whatsoever, but did ride 25,000km per year,all year round

cheers, Murray

 

Well here I think, we have a good answer. The problems with the carbs is storing. Dirt and additives in the gas precipitates typicaly during winter in both tank and carbs. The result is clogged passages in the carbs. To avoid it, dry out the carbs and tank or add stabilizer to the gas before storing it.

 

I've never had the 900's carbs off. I did pull the top-hats to check the "clunkability", but that's all. I'm sure there's sediment in the bowls. That's been about 10,000 miles for me.

The Seca 750 was "down" one summer, I didn't drain it or use StaBil, and the jets gummed up - in just 5 months!