easy carb removal

Hey, Ive removed my carbs a couple times now and it is a PITA. The problem is getting those boots between the air box and carbs off and especially back on. The process usually requires about 15 curse words and it makes my hands cramp up.

Is there some secret technique I am missing? Maybe its not a secret at all.

thanks

***Watch the language please, Robert***

 

Well, I know there folks here that swear by the "push the boots into the airbox" method, but I found them sticking out too far & it made the job harder I thought..
I dunno, maybe I missed a step..

I end up just sorta, tearing them out of the airbox entirely, & a little WD 40 makes them slide in again easily.
I am assuming there's no damage done because of the WD40, but who knows maybe over time..

I've gotten to where I can now go from start to carb rack in hand in about 5 minutes, I've done it so many times now..
Sad , but true!
Cheers!
Rich

 

if youre boots are old and "HARD".....pushing them back into the airbox is the only way to go.....otherwise yu will tear em all to dog snot.

its also easyer to hook the carbs to the airbox boots first upon install.....atleast it has been for mee :wink:

as alwayse with carbs....repeated install and remove....will give improved results as yu learn the little tweaks.

 

Thanks for the replies. Ya, my boots are still pretty soft and pliable. The last time I did this I pushed the two center boots though the air box. PITA.

I'm going to try some of these other methods this weekend.

Thanks.

 

Maine:

Not sure if it works on the larger bikes, but on my 400 removing the airbox screws/bolts (2 on top, 1 on right side behind battery, 2 on left side) allows the airbox to drop back and down a slight amount, which makes the task easier.

My boots are still pliable, and after removing those airbox bolts the carbs can then be pulled/pushed across the boots without damage.

Herb

 

make yourself this little tool to help the boots along when your fingers are too short or hurt to bad
.156 steel wire, no sharp edges, welding rod

 

IF.. your frame allows simply undo the upper rear subframe bolts so it and the airbox can rotate backwards about 6" to 8", which makes carb instal VV easy.

 

Which bike is this on? I assume you have a Maxim X?

 

having done 3x times on the xj700n im thinking the only improvements might be better curse words colder beer and having the bandaids ready....

 

Pics? Or a sketch?

 

I have found on my 700 that if you take off the mounting screw or bolt on the top of the air box. You know, the one that mounts it. And slide it back, that it make the job much easier. If the air box boots are nice and plyable then just push the carbs back in then onto the intake boots. Push hard then they go right in. A little wd 40 helps the carbs go right on. Good luck. Practice make it go much faster also.