Aftermarket Carb Boots

Howdy all:

Is there any hope of finding aftermarket carb boots for my '86 VF500F? I've hit most of the major OEM dealers online and I can't find these suckers anywhere. At the very least, are there any other models/years that would have the same size boots? Or any other alternative? I've had two separate sets ordered only to have them cancelled due to availability.

Thanks!

 

Bikebandit.com has them. But you could use lots of black duct tape instead.

 

Bike Bandit does not have them in stock. That's actually the first place I tried.

 

You could always fine some radiator hose for short term till u find the right ones.

 

Not radiator hose but fuel filler hose. The fuel filler hose is meant to handle fuel. Guys on V4BBS have run them for quite a while. I've had them on my R for 6 years until just recently when I found a cheap OEM set.

This is what I used.
NAPA AUTO PARTS

It's $18 a foot. You can do 2 sets with one section. Just cut 4 pieces at the right length. You also need longer clamp bolts cause the hose is thicker. You wouldn't believe how easy the carbs go on to these. They're so much more pliable that the stock ones while still being rigid. Of course your 500 carbs would need a different diameter than the R's. Not sure if there even is filler hose in the size you need, but make sure the hose is fuel tolerant.

This is just a suggestion in case you can't track down the stock ones. It's also nice to have a set anyway if you're ever going to be taking the carbs off and on a lot when trying different jets, the carbs go on ridiculously easy.

 

Huh, now that's a nifty suggestion. I'm gonna do some measuring and see if these any of these diameters will suffice. About how much of an interference fit should the hose have to have a proper seal?

 

have you tried cheap cycle parts? they show them in stock but it's no promise.

I needed exhaust gaskets for my 500 and couldn't find them anywhere. I checked ebay uk and there were 5 different auctions that had them. funny thing is, the ones I bought were actually in TX but were not listed on the us version of ebay.

I've found quiet a few out of production items on european ebays. some stuff from ebay france, some from germany ect. odd thing is most of the stuff with the exception of one part came from the US but was not listed on our ebay.

 

I don't see them on cheap cycle parts, shows out of stock. Can you link them?

 

ah, sorry i looked at the year of mine, 84, different part number with bigger carbs. doubt they would work but they might.

 

So you just take a bit of this, clamp onto the old boot, then stick on the carbs? Or how is it done?

 

David silver spares in the UK show them available at about $17 each.

 

It replaces the old boot, not clamp onto it, if I'm reading your question correctly.

 

Hi sido814.
I've got the same problem, no one has boots for my 700.
There are all kinds of remedies for restoring rubber boots on the Internet. Most of them are on old bike forums. Someone here proposed one but I can't find it. I think I might try the wintergreen oil and xylene. I'll let you know if it works.

 

The carb boots are still available for this bike (assuming it is a VF700F) - 16211-MB0-000
about $20 USD each.
16211-MB0-000 INSULATOR, CARB $19.20

 

Thanks for looking that up but I actually ordered a set from Partzilla.com a few weeks ago. After 2 weeks I called them to see where they were at and they told me they're on backorder and don't know if or when they'll get more.

 

I've read where vasaline or peanut butter work. You coat the boot in it
leave overnight and clean the next day. For fun I tried this on an old boot
after I installed the new ones. The old boot seemed almost like new and a
year later I just went and checked it and it still seems pliable, I used the
vasaline

 

Try David Silvers in the UK - Often Europe has stuff that is NLA in Australia and USA.

 

thx1138 was right, they are available at partzilla. I was looking at the wrong fiche.

 

Ok I must be derping out, but how does the fuel hose method work? Doesn't the bike need the carb boots to be bolted to the engine?

 

The hose just takes the place of the old boots. Once cut to size, they bolt on just like the stock boots to hold the carbs firmly in place.

Here are my old ones made of the fuel hose. After 6 years on the bike, they are still as pliable as new.


On the carbs.


They are thicker than the stockers. You can use the stock clamps but need longer bolts. I picked up some allen heads and new nuts.