Carb Diaphragm Hole Repair?

Hello All!

While cleaning and rebuilding my carbs today I noticed that one of the diaphragms has a small wear-hole in it. I quickly looked online and it seems that it could cost over $100 to replace. Is there some way of patching a small hole on one of these things? Another diaphragm looks like it might develop a similar hole soon, I really can't put out $200 on something like this right now!

Thanks!

 

Check out this web site. I believe I saw diaphrams for around $50

www.mikesxs.net

 

Unfortunately they seem to sell parts for the XS650 only. Thanks though.

 

Is there some way of patching a small hole on one of these things?

Nothing that I would trust

 

I'm in the same line with CaptainKirk, nothing I've tried works.

 

what size are you looking for, If you can tell us the diameter of the slide we might be able to help. Some of us are packrats!!!!
Sean

 

You might try a product called Shoe Goo. It's for repairing shoe soles. A friend of mine who is an Aikido instructor says they repair gym mats with it, and you will tear the mat before you will break the repair.



Looks like you can get it Canadian Tire. I don't know who supplies it in the US.

 

Some may reel back in horror at this suggestion but all I can say is that it has worked for me. Not wanting to spend over AUD$130 for each carb diapghragm/slide combination available for the XJ900 (aftermarket on ebay) I did find a few reference on the web to people who used PlastiDip spray on rubber compound. I had 3 diaphragms on my 900 which looked a little ragged and had some very small holes in various places. I took them out, masked off the brass slide and gave them a couple of fine coats of the plastip spray. When dry it does feel as though the diaphragm is a little stiffer thatn before. However, I did that to all 4 of my diaphragms (the 4th one didn't need it but I gave it a light coat anyway to keep it consistent with the others), and I've been riding around 10,000kms/6000miles with no apparent problems. Here's the plastidip link:

http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/index.html

And here's a link to an instructional page:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.ph ... 2#post2972

 

Those are totally what I was picturing: some sort of gasoline-resistant, non-hardening rubber paste. The hole is very small, barely bigger than a pin hole. I will definitely look into these things.

However, Dinoracer, I would prefer to have new ones. As far as size goes, I'm not sure! It's an '82 650 Seca (non-turbo) and has the original Hitachi carbs. If someone had one or two extra that they were willing to give up or sell cheap, I'd love to know!

Thanks for all the help!

 

Don't know if these would fit , but it's on this site

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm


YAMAHA


Slide #2644
XS650 G, H, SG, SH, SJ, SK Heritage and Special '80-'83

XJ900 Seca '83

XS1100 G, H, LG, LH, SG, SH '80-'81

XJ1100 Maxim '82

79.95 Each Single

 

The #- 2644 Slide on that site is for bikes running MIKUNI Carbs.

Most places that have the part list them for between - $119.00 - $149.00

 

My Temporary Solution

I thought I would follow up on this, in case someone with a similar problem searches later on. Because I can't really afford new/used diaphragms right now, and because I am anxious to get on the road, I'm going with a temporary patch solution. I found this product at Canadian Tire ($6.99 or something) that claims to be gasoline resistant and non-hardening. The hole I had was very small - practically a pinhole - so I just needed to put a very, very thin layer on both sides.

While it looks good for now, I haven't actually tested it yet, and have no idea how long it will hold or if it's going to affect the running of the bike. I plan on replacing the diaphragm sometime this summer, so when I do I'll have the opportunity to examine this one and see how the patch held up after a few month of riding. If there is sufficient interest, or if this ends up being a terrible solution, I will update with the results!

Thanks for all the help!

 

Permatex!

Good Outfit. Let us know how the situation pans out. Maybe we are on to something good.

 

Yep - the Permatex solution is also a viable option - good product and will probably do the trick. Best to be cautious and after a couple of months of riding have a look at the carb diaphragm to see if the patch-up is still in place. Caution is warranted because you're applying one material onto another and then placing the diaphragm in a dynamic environment subject to a vacuum/air and petrol mix.

On a related note, the PlastiDip I referred to earlier has also been used for those cracked carb boots some people have. I plugged the cracks with some Permatex gasket material and then finished it off with a couple of coats of spray PlastDip. Looks almost as good as new and a good bet that no leaking air will get inside.

Karl

 

Your such a fine XJ-Man, karl ... I think you ought to have the Tuning Forks Logo tattooed on your forearm.

(Something I haven't gotton 'round to having done, just yet!)

 

Tattoo? Thanks for the compliment Rick but I think I'll go for the henna alternative just in case I trade it in for Harley.
Oh no...he's said the "H" word!
Maybe I'll go for the shaved head look with the Yamaha tuning fork logo shaped into the remainig hair.
Now there's a thought.
Or maybe even a PlastiDip alternative.
KH