How do I pull the carbs?

Hi,
I'm at the point now where I want to pull the carbs off the head and send them out to get cleaned and setup.

So my question is, how's the best way to do this without damaging anything?

I also plan on sending it to Billy Carr for cleaning and setup. I know I could probably do this myself but I couldn't strip it down to the detail he does. Plus I want them setup and balanced and I know I can't do this.

While I'm at it, here's a question. Has anyone used Billy's service? He has two levels... Econo and Primo. I don't think I want them polished so Primo may not be the way to go. But I do want them to look factory clean... For those that used him... Does the econo service look like this? I just can't picture it in my mind.

Thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Squirrelman can do anything he can do and charges alot less !! Usually about $70-$80 less ! :love-struck: Shorter turnaround time too.

Maybe you could call him and ask how to remove your carbs, but i've heard he doesn't usually answer his phone.

*****************************

OK, heat the bike up if it runs to soften the rubber manifolds. Loosen all the clamps. Never remove the alloy airbox plate from the set of carbs to aid carb removal. Work on the rear carbs first by pulling them forward and up, focusing your force there. Some discreet prying may be helpful.

 

I can tell you it can be frustrating! First off, take them off as a unit, don't take off aluminum plate, and don't separate carbs.

I have had mine off may times, but the first time after they have been on for years can be hard.

You have to realize that the carbs are made to sit against the intakes at the same angle, so they can not be simply lifted off as the angle of the rubber boots reduce the clearance as you lift.

Detach the choke and throttle cables. Drain the bowls, and detach the fuel line.

Remove all the metal clamps on the rubber boots so they can flex better.

I used a large flat screw driver to carefully pry the boots away from the necks of the carbs. Just enough to shoot some WD-40 in there. Go around each boot as best as you can and get the WD-40 in there. Start by trying to rock carbs front to back to see if you can break them loose from the rubber boots. Use a piece of hardwood between carbs and the frame to gently pry the rear up first, might have use screw driver in boots to help, You will need to break the rear two carbs loose first and rotate assembly forward to release rear two carbs, after that you should be able to lift them out.

I would order a new set of boots from partzilla.com, old ones will be hard and difficult to put back on. False economy to try and reuse because of possible leaks that will drive you nuts. Once you do this a couple of times, you will get the knack.

Good luck and have fun.

PS: I bought my '83 in Toronto 33 years ago!

 

Thanks for the detailed description. I did it about 25 years ago, but that was a long time ago and I didn't want to break anything this time around. I did get the boots. So I'm good there.

33 years... Wow things have changed a lot since then. Hope you still have it. The 86 vfr750 was my first new bike, there's nothing like having something like that around.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Still got it, fixed her up last summer after sitting too long, that's how I know about break the rubber loose. If you have all new boots then you could cheat and cut the old ones, but then you miss all the fun. I did replace all mine after I got them off! and all the rest of the rubber parts except the hoses, them seemed to hold up OK. The heart breaker was replacing an almost new set of Metzelers.

 

For what it's worth, Squirrelman did a great job on my carbs. Put 'em on, gassed 'em up, and haven't looked back. Never even did a proper sync and she pulls strong up to 135, no problemo.

 

I used a 2x4 to pry mine up. Worked like a charm.

 

I didn't think about cutting the boots... Good idea.

The rubber was too old on the tires?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, they were over 25 years old!

 

My tires are just as old. I'll save that expense for the end.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk