what's the easiest way to remove carbs?

bullheimer · Oct 1, 2016

the first time i undid the carb to engine bolts and they came out but were pure hell to put back in even with new airbox boots. turns out the carb shop did a crap job of cleaning them, and they had multiple issues so had to come off again. i took it to the local shop in bellingham. they did the whole thing for a cheap even for me $400. so i totally agree with hogfiddles

wgul · Nov 26, 2017

hogfiddles said: ↑

once the tank, seat, covers, etc.... are off, the best way to remove/install the carbs is:

loosen the airbox-to-carb boots clamps and push the boots into the airbox until just the front lip is sticking out

loosen the bolts that anchor the airbox and slide the airbox back (it's only about half an inch)

disconnect the throttle cable and the ENRICHMENT CIRCUIT cable. It is NOT a CHOKE cable. The enrichment circuit does just that--it ADDS extra fuel, it does not choke the air.

loosen the clamps on the carb-to-manifold boots.

move the clutch cable out of the way.

now pull the carb rack out by pulling toward the rear of the bike, and tipping them upward at the same time. Wiggle up and down as needed, but they'll pop out pretty quick.

To reinstall, do everything in reverse. I dip a fingertip in engine oil and then coat the front inner surface of the manifold boots. A little heat from a heat gun to soften the rubber just a bit, a little forward pressure and some wiggles and they pop right in. A little heat will soften the airbox boots too. I push the airbox front again first, then work the center two carb boots on first, then the outer two. I pull the boots out of the box so the groove sides are both out of the box. That allows me to get the boots onto the carbs far enough. Then I put the clamps on, and THEN I push the rear lip back into the airbox. Then I move onto the next carb.

Usually takes 10 minutes or less. At one carb clinic, people saw me install as set of carbs, hook them up, sync them, install the tank, covers, seat, and have the bike ready to ride in under 8 minutes. I had the carbs on and hooked up in 4. Granted, it was totally dumb luck that things were incredibly flexible, but it made a real good show and we all got a good laugh out of it too.

Removing the manifold bolts the way you did is asking for trouble if one of the snaps.

Others will chime in with their little tip and tricks, too.......

Dave F
Click to expand...

This is my method too; can't remember if I got it from you or Maxstorey but it sure works well. I love that feeling of sliding the rack back into the manifold boots; pretty satisfying when they pop in

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what's the easiest way to remove carbs?

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