Topic: CB500k carb kit "re-engineered"! need a second opinion

[Mainerider]

The biggest/major issue with any system which submerges carbs in any 'cleaning' fluid, any seals which are not removed get screwed up.
The only way to get new throttle shaft seals from Honda is buy a new carb body (good luck with that for a 30~40 yr old bike)
It's quick, easy and expedient, but, it just messes stuff up
Cleaning carbs properly isn't a quick job, any shortcuts will cause damage.
I've had to re-build many, many carbs that were professionally 'cleaned' using very expensive ultrasonic cleaners (one set from a very well known aftermarket carburettor parts supplier)

That's one of the reasons the primary chemical I use is so expensive: it won't harm rubber or plastic.  Using a quality ultrasonic cleaner is no better than using a kitchen pot if you don't do it correctly, and that means investing in the proper chemicals.  The GIGO rule is always in effect: Garbage In, Garbage Out...

[crazypj]

How does it work on felt?
Honda used felt seals through the late 60's~ 70's
I haven't completely stripped 80's carbs so don't know what they used

[Mainerider]

Yes, they were still using felt on at least some of the '80s racks.  The chemical will damage felt if it is immersed for too long; if the rack is staying together I dial back the heat and the immersion period a bit.

Unfortunately, with some of the bikes I work on, the owners are on very tight budgets to begin with and don't want to pay for the extra time needed for full disassembly, especially if the bike is a rat or near rat to begin with. I'm sure you know that with some of these bikes it's like working a triage protocol in an emergency room; you do what you can...

[rockadoo]

What are these rubber pieces? I dont want to destroy them.

And these hoses are ancient

[Mainerider]

Speaking of triage, here is a carb bowl and jet off of a 550 F that I received in the mail today from a forum member; this set is so gummed up all 4 floats and 2 of the piston slides are frozen solid. He will get his money's worth on this job...

[Mainerider]

Here is that same bowl, after 7 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner...

[Stev-o]

Wow

[rockadoo]

I'm about to put on the generic bowl gaskets.  Any ideas how to hold them in place ?

[Mainerider]

Very small dabs of grease placed in a few spots within the gasket channel will hold the rubber seal in place for a very brief time; you have to move quickly to get the bowl on while the rubber seal is still seated. I've tried heating the seals with hot water and gently stretching them but a few LIGHT dabs of grease seem to work best.

[rockadoo]

Ha, this should be interesting

[Scott S]

 If you have spray adhesive, try that. Maybe hang the gaskets on a nail on a board. Let the adhesive get tacky and then seat them in the groove in the bowl.

[andrewk]

Very small dabs of grease placed in a few spots within the gasket channel will hold the rubber seal in place for a very brief time; you have to move quickly to get the bowl on while the rubber seal is still seated. I've tried heating the seals with hot water and gently stretching them but a few LIGHT dabs of grease seem to work best.

I use the grease method too.  Works well.

[rockadoo]

Well, the grease trick wasn't happening..stupid gaskets! I used some old fashioned permatex non hardening gasket sealer. (not silicone). For at least 15 years those carbs have pissed gas out the over flows whenever the petcock was open. It would empty my gas tank over night onto the ground and it had gotten so bad I would shut off my petcock at traffic lights! I suppose the good thing about that is the carbs never stayed full of gas to get gummed up, plus I used Berryman B12  and Sta-Bil. no visible passages where plugged or gummed up and the worst crap was what I found in the bottom of the bowls that looked like chunks of stucco.  I just filled the carbs up with gas and watched for any leaks and after sitting for 30 mins not a drop!!! Hopefully I counted the turns on the screws correctly and I should know by this time tomorrow if the ol girl is gonna run.

[rockadoo]

I couldn't wait. Carbs back on.  Fired up!! Sounds great!!! still need to adjust cables and in serious need of some new pods. But that sweet sound of 4 into 4 pipes, so vintage indy car sound  I just love it

[rockadoo]

Thanks to all that gave me opinions and advice.  I just took it for a ride!!! What a difference. Pulled strong thru all the gears and at 75 mph I was convinced, besides I was running out of road!! I have a set of OEM HONDA vacuum gauges that I've never used. I wonder if I can dial them in even better!!

[crazypj]

Here is that same bowl, after 7 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner...

 That looks better than new
 How much does ultrasonic cost?