Topic: Carb Kit Opinions

[wardmoto]

I put a carb kit in my 350F project mostly for the new gaskets, fuel needle valve and seat...The jets are reamed stockers(don't mean to start that debate again...that is not my issue!) I reluctantly put the kit needles and air bleed screw in and I have heard negative opinions in reference to these parts in particular as they compare to Keihin Parts.  My project is not done yet, But the original needles and air bleeds are in great shape...it would be much easier to change them now than later when I am finished. This is of course assuming my educated guesses on the jetting will be close and I won't need to open the carbs up after completion...I have been doing this long enough to know that this assumption is not likely...but for the sake of argument lets assume....I can't dig up the kit manufacturer in my file of ebay purchases if that alters your opinions. Would you guys put those  stock parts back in?  My SV is fuel injected and I don't miss doing any of this on it!  Thanks for your opinions!

[Bob Wessner]

I'll start by stating my experience is limited. My bike sat in storage for many years. Part of the resurrection was a complete dis-assembly and cleaning of the carbs. I assumed (you know what they say about that word) they should be "rebuilt" so I bought 4 Keyster kits. Big mistake on my part. First, all the hard parts were fine, just needed cleaning, but what did I know. I replaced the float valve, the jets and gasket. Had lots of "rich" problems. Started looking at things more closely.

I found the float valve was identical in appearance, the spring in the Keyster kit was v-e-r-y strong/stiff, so I went back to stock part. The high-speed needles appeared different as to there profiles. A member here suggested comparing the two via a drill bit gauge. Sure enough, the Keyster needle was much more slender toward the tip and for a fair distance up the needle, so back to the stock needle. In the end, the only thing changed was the float bowl gaskets. Live and learn.

[puppytrax]

In the end, the only thing changed was the float bowl gaskets. Live and learn.

Bob - How did you get the round Keysler bowl gasket/o-rings to stay in the groove???

[maksuttt]

Hate those kits too. Tryed to tune carbs: no way. Why did I change stock, if it looked good? Who knows... Maybe i like to stay in garage tonight? Going to stock now.

[sparty]

I was told to inspect and clean all of my carb parts then reassemble and see how the bike runs.  If, during tear down and cleaning, I noticed an obvious problem, then the part should be replaced.  I was also told by a Honda mechanic, that the aftermarket carb kits are often unreliable.... 

Sparty

[Bob Wessner]

Bob - How did you get the round Keysler bowl gasket/o-rings to stay in the groove???

Mine is a 750, had no such problems, thankfully. If you do a search though, there are several posts on the problem you are having and alternative solutions. It comes up pretty regularly.

[jdpas29]

i haven't had any problem with the aftermarket stuff i used in my carbs after about 3,000 miles.  if the carbs are in decent shape, you probably just need float bowl gaskets, float needles, a really good cleaning, some new main jets, set your float height and a good synch.   and a helluva handy tool is to have a good compressor and a couple of fittings you can use to blow compressed air through some of the tiny openings in the carbs after they have been soaked in the goop.  sometimes stuff gets lodged in there.

[jdpas29]

puppytrax, make sure that gasoline is not in contact with the gaskets as they will expand once they come in contact with it and that makes it 10 times as difficult to get them to stay in the groove.  petroleum jelly is a good helper when it comes to getting that ring to stick in the groove.  from what i understand, it breaks down and goes through the engine without damage unlike some other sticky things you could put a little of in your float bowl.  i used to remove the float gaskets after each attempt and pat them dry.... leave them on a towel for a couple of hours with a fan on em and come back and try again.  this procedure is with the formed/shaped gaskets.  if you're trying to use the round gaskets that don't have the shape of the float bowl made into them... good luck.

[Bob Wessner]

Found one of them (thread) if it helps;

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=2546.0

[dusterdude]

i had a lot of problems with honda bowl gaskets on my bike.

[MRieck]

 I had mucho prblems with Keyster kits in a 79 KZ-1000.

[BobbyR]

I had the same situation as Mike. I finally scrubbed up the old parts and re - rebuilt the carb. she runs great. All I wound up using was the gaskets. I use a simple glue stick to hold them in place until iIget the screws torqued down. 

[ieism]

Bob - How did you get the round Keysler bowl gasket/o-rings to stay in the groove???

I just bought an O-ring set from a guy that rebuilds a lot of cb750 carbs, he told me that the big rings apear to be too large and are hard to fit. His tip was to put 3 tiny drops op second-glue in the groove and then press the ring into the groove on one side to prevent them from popping out. I'm rebuilding my carbs this weekend so I can't tell you firswt hand if this is a good/safe method.....

[puppytrax]

I use a simple glue stick to hold them in place until iIget the screws torqued down.

I would, too...if I knew what a glue stick was...What is it???    Who makes it; where do I find them???

[BobbyR]

The glue sticks are sold under a lot of names, looks like a big lipstick(no wisecracks please). You can get them in any place that sells school or craft supplies. It holds the gasket well enough to get the bowl on the carb body, but not so much that it will not find it's seat.

[puppytrax]

You can get them in any place that sells school or craft supplies.

Thanks! I'll look for one this weekend!

BTW: Is there some way to get that insert/pic of Benny Hill off your avatar??? It's covering up the pic of [coff, coff] a beautiful bike...

[kaysystems]

My 2 cents worth.

Don't go with Keyster. I rebuilt my 1970 CB750 carbs with genuine Honda parts. ALL the needles & jets are now new Honda parts. I cleaned all the air passages with carb wires. Cleaned the brass air jets until I could see shiney brass. There was a lot of caked on dirt that carb cleaner didn't shift. Honda carb bowl gaskets fit. They don't shrink after a couple of years. Last year I had to clean the plugs every 500 miles. This year they are perfect.

David

[BobbyR]

You can get them in any place that sells school or craft supplies.

Thanks! I'll look for one this weekend!

BTW: Is there some way to get that insert/pic of Benny Hill off your avatar??? It's covering up the pic of [coff, coff] a beautiful bike...

Actually that is not Benny Hill it is Michael Moore.Yes it is covring more interesting aspects of the bike. The Glue sticks may not be strong enough for the round gaskets. But I do like the way they allow the gasket to find it's own set.