Carb removal - VF400F

HI all,

I'll assume this is the right place, it says 83-, but the VF400F came out in '82!

*takes anorak off*

I'm trying to get the carbs off my VF400F. It's done 300kms since 1992 so it's been laid up for some time. I got the carbs off my 88 RC24 VFR750 and it wasn't easy and I broke one of them a little in the process. I managed to get them back on and it runs ok, but I'm trying to avoid this with the 400.

Is there a trick to getting them off? Do they pivot in the middle making them easier to get out of the V of the engine intake rubbers?
It may just be that my rubbers are so insanely hard and that's causing the issue.

I read somewhere to try leaving the air box mounting plate on the carbs and try then, but that makes it even harder to get off as they sit solid!

Also looking for a VF400F manual if anyone has one?

cheers

James

 

Whatever you do, don't remove the intake plenum. When they're all attached to the plate you won't break any of the crossover tubes. A heat gun or hair dryer can soften the boots and make it manageable, and you can pry on them in a few spots with a piece of wood. It's always a bitch to do, but it gets easier with time. I'm down to 5 minutes each way.

 

Thanks for the reply. In the end some WD40 and removing the airbox tray made it possible. Not easy, but got there. I then carefully re-attached the airbox tray to keep everything together so I can work on it for now.

As an asside, does anyone use any special compound/grease/something to help the carb intake thoats seal better against ancient old rubber intake boots?