Author Topic: HELP! Float Bowl Gasket!?!?!? What the hell!? (Read 7260 times)

03rangerxlt · « **on:** July 08, 2012, 01:23:24 PM »

1972 CB500 stock carbs...

How in the hell do you put these float bowls back on with new gaskets?

The gaskets are round, and obviously, the float bowls are not.

It is difficult to even place the gasket in the channel and hold it there. It seems pretty damn impossible to put the float bowl on the carb with the gasket!

I had to walk away from the bike today because of this.

And to think if not for this, I could have gotten it started for the first time!

Arghhhh! I'm extremely PO'd!!!

lucky · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2012, 02:19:22 PM »

It is not your fault.
The O ring thing should be the shape of the float bowl.

Maybe a different brand with a photo of the
o ring before you buy it.

Jv550 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2012, 02:29:29 PM »

If the float bowls are anything like my 550's, it's just a horrible exercise in patience-building putting those gaskets on for the first time. I used a toothpick to line the bowl grooves with a very thin bead of gasket sealant and then ever-so-slowly started pressing the o-ring in, starting at a corner and working out diagonally. It takes a while but once they're sealed they start to conform to the shape and don't to want to spring out as much...

Gordon · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2012, 02:35:55 PM »

This is a common issue with many available tricks to tackle it. The trick I use is to put a few strips of scotch tape on the edge of the bowl to hold the o-ring in place, tighten the screws just enough to hold the o-ring in place, pull the strips of tape out, then tighten the screws the rest of the way. Others use a small amount of super glue, or a few dabs of gasket sealer. I'm not partial to using any gasket sealer on my carbs, no matter how little, because I know first hand how much of a headache it can cause if even the smallest bit breaks off and gets clogged in one of the jets.

poodleracer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2012, 04:10:37 PM »

Patience is right. I just did this last week on my CB400. I used a little grease in the groove of the bowl to help hold one section in while working the rest. I read a similar issue on this forum where someone said, "It will fit i promise, just push straight down and don't stretch it." That was true, it did not look like mine were going to fit but about 10 min of massaging it and it fit right in.

Gordon · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2012, 04:15:55 PM »

I almost forgot, you can also use a little bit of "liquid electrical tape" to secure the o-ring in place without any worry. I coated a screw with the stuff and put it in a jar of gas to see how it would hold up. I left it in there for over two years before I had to finally get rid of it, and there was absolutely no noticeable change in it. It stayed pliable and maintained its integrity.

bollingball · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2012, 05:25:16 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on July 08, 2012, 04:15:55 PM

I almost forgot, you can also use a little bit of "liquid electrical tape" to secure the o-ring in place without any worry. I coated a screw with the stuff and put it in a jar of gas to see how it would hold up. I left it in there for over two years before I had to finally get rid of it, and there was absolutely no noticeable change in it. It stayed pliable and maintained its integrity.

Sounds like you miss placed the little jar

Or did you put it in a time capsule?
Ken

Gordon · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2012, 05:39:06 PM »

Quote from: bollingball on July 08, 2012, 05:25:16 PM

Quote from: Gordon on July 08, 2012, 04:15:55 PM
I almost forgot, you can also use a little bit of "liquid electrical tape" to secure the o-ring in place without any worry. I coated a screw with the stuff and put it in a jar of gas to see how it would hold up. I left it in there for over two years before I had to finally get rid of it, and there was absolutely no noticeable change in it. It stayed pliable and maintained its integrity.

Sounds like you miss placed the little jar Or did you put it in a time capsule?
Ken

Ordinarily that would be the case

, but it was actually on a shelf in my garage the whole time. I took the screw out every few months to check it, and I would have kept it longer, but decided it wasn't the best thing to put in a box and move from Colorado to Texas. It started from a thread about how to repair cracked carb boots and finding something that was pliable and could withstand contact with gasoline.

dave500 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2012, 11:54:18 PM »

super glue in the corners,take your time.

CapsLock911 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:51:12 PM »

I am trying to get the o rings in mine as well. I'm starting to think shoving a screw driver in my eyes might be the solution

. This is downright maddening! Its easier to get the cam in and out than this task...lol

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2012, 07:11:17 PM »

I use a little dab of the wifes finger nail glue in the corners works great..

Owned · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2012, 08:31:11 AM »

When using the round gaskets, make sure you have a bunch of em on hand if you think you'll be re jetting. Once they hit fuel they expand. In a pinch I was able to clean on soapy water and put in the freezer to shrink back, but not every time was I so lucky. Found a great metric o ring distributor in my city that I would could buy from at one tenth the price.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2012, 08:35:29 AM »

+1 grease

luap · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2012, 09:02:57 AM »

I order the cb/cl 350 gaskets fit perfect
http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=1086

CapsLock911 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2012, 10:18:33 AM »

Laup
I just ordered 4 o rings for my 500. We'll see how it goes!
I also ordered the performance jet kit and jet cleaning tool.
The prices were good.

I'm (giddy) with the idea of these o rings. Now I can save my eyesight!
Thx-csj

72_350_FOUR · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2012, 10:33:49 AM »

+1 for grease, keep gently pulling back towards the outer edges as your going around the bowl.

Tugboat · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2012, 12:27:08 PM »

+3 for using grease. BTW from my experience, float bowl gaskets that have swollen from contact with gasoline will usually regain their original shape if left to air dry overnight.

JamesM · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2012, 01:06:07 PM »

Scotch tape in the corners proved to be the best method I've found so far. I tried super glue in the corners, then the second time used grease, and the third time the tape. It worked great.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2012, 01:37:10 PM »

One tiny drop of superglue in each corner. Don't "stretch out" the gasket to make it fit, otherwise they'll swell even more when you take the bowl off. I've had the same set of gaskets in my bowls for about 6 months, and I've taken the bowls off about 20 times. Most of the time they'll just need a few hours to shrink back down, and rarely another drop of superglue.

luap · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2012, 10:48:13 PM »

CAPLOCK they work awsome Ive used them on all the 550's ive done
Dont know what jet kit you got but they will make you a kit- me I order 2 sets of 105 an 110 instead of the 105,110,115,120

CapsLock911 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2012, 06:10:31 AM »

New formed o-rings worked like a charm. While they are still a little snug, a little Hylomar did the trick for keeping them in place. I put some in 4 of the 5 corners, leaving the other out. When it dried, I stuck the fifth corner. They say put!

The kit came with 85 - 115 - 120 - 125.

I'm running a CAM 4 into 1 and the only 35 mm pods I could find. I added DYNO coils and DYNO electronic points. I guess it's time to start playing the tuning game.

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Author Topic: HELP! Float Bowl Gasket!?!?!? What the hell!? (Read 7260 times)

bollingball