Author Topic: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??  (Read 3440 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« on: February 17, 2013, 08:26:03 AM »
hey guys, almost ready to reassemble my stripped and refurbished carbs. Before i do, i would like to know if they require any lubrication?

reason i ask, is, upon disassembly, i found this grey colored grease on the balljoints and bushes under the top cover on my 75' CB550 carbs.

the yellow circles highlight the areas i found the grease type substance:





also, do the other balljoints that link the carbs to one another, also need lubrication?

thanks for looking, Bruce
« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 08:31:54 AM by Bru-tom »

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2013, 08:53:39 AM »
Not sure what others do, but I lubricate all the moving parts on my carbs with silicone spray lubricant. 

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2013, 08:55:14 AM »
silicon spray? i dont like silicon spray much, it tends to loose its lubrication properties and become sticky over time, maybe thats just the stuff i use...

i was thinking of a copper slip type lubricant?
« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 08:57:12 AM by Bru-tom »

Offline Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,113
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2013, 10:55:28 AM »
I wouldn't. Grease will collect dirt.
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2013, 11:14:45 AM »
then what the heck was that stuff i removed? it was like a very very sticky aluminium grease like stuff? so the ball joints internally by the slides and externally, the linkage ball joints must run dry? metal to metal?

Offline Rigid

  • She likes a
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 821
  • Speak from personal experience, or don't
    • KingCustomCycles
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2013, 11:57:28 AM »
I use a penetrating light film oil like corrosion x.  I have used atf and 3 in one oil.  I don't buy the "collects dirt" argument.  If that was the case, nothing could ever be lubricated.
36 years of this stuff, here to help.

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2013, 12:05:16 PM »
thanks mate,

my main concern are all the ball joints like the one circle in green:



i mean, they are always in contact with metal and im sure they could wear if not lubed.... im sure that grey stuff i removed was a grease of sorts, unless it was metal wear mixed with old fuel ???

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2013, 12:06:30 PM »
it was more of a wax if i could give a better description of it...

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2013, 02:52:36 PM »
silicon spray? i dont like silicon spray much, it tends to loose its lubrication properties and become sticky over time, maybe thats just the stuff i use...

i was thinking of a copper slip type lubricant?

Been using silicone spray lube on all my bike's carbs for over 15 years now with no problems and no apparent stickyness.  Granted, I haven't kept most of those bikes for more than a couple of years, but I have had my K1 for 9 years and my 550 for 8 years. 

Offline XLerate

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 97
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2013, 06:08:41 PM »
Due to the design and function of carburetor linkage you might want to consider dry powdered graphite or similar as your lubricant? It will not attract 'dirt' and contaminants won't cling to it. It doesn't wash off to speak of but rather it tends to fill the microscopic pores in the metals. You may and probably do have slightly dis-similar metals in these joints, one just slightly softer and more porous, the cup side. The ball is super hard and less porous, less subject to wear.

Lubricants are spec'd according to the pressure or load exerted and what sort of film strength or suspension qualities are needed, at what temperature etc. With carb linkage stuff it's all fairly low pressure, low speed, light load and the main problem is simple metal to metal wear from contact. That's just the sort of application that powdered graphite is suitable for.

You'd probably have to figure on reapplication of powdered graphite or Dri-Slide at yearly intervals or during your major service routines. Fortunately it doesn't drip, run, spread out much or do what the last lube did, of leaving a useless nasty gunk all over the metal, doing far more harm than good.

The most difficult part with graphite is application, sorta wants to go everywhere. I'd let it do just that and leave the mess for a time until it gets pressed into the metal's pores, like a month or so of frequent riding? Then later it can be hosed and wiped off outer surfaces where it's not needed, also Q-tips help in cleaning up residues on linkage.

Offline bjbuchanan

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,276
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2013, 08:09:02 PM »
Considering the fact that high speeds, high forces or high temps or big dirty-ness as not being problems ggrease with whatever you want. I would just use a generic all around grease like what comes free with grease guns. It is stable in reasonable ranges and cheap, does the job
The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
Stock airbox w/ drop in K&N, Hooker 4-1

Don't trust me alone with a claw hammer and some pliers

Offline Bodi

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,693
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2013, 05:26:36 AM »
I haven't them analyzed, but it looks to my eye that the little black puck things that engage those ball ends are made of graphite: self lubricating. I have never added any lube there, no problems in 30 odd years. I've worked on a lot of carb stacks that hadn't been opened since they left the KeiHin factory and never saw a sign of lube in those joints. I use some lube on the shafts so the bellcranks don't corrode on, grease the felt seals, oil or grease the throttle and choke shaft "bearings", and use anti-seize on the screws and nuts.

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2013, 10:39:01 AM »
thank you very much for your input guys...

i like the graphite powder idea, but after Bodi's response, that would be the best of both worlds!  :D

i would like to lube the "bearings" and the felt seals.

what are the bellcranks?


Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2013, 01:44:47 PM »
I haven't them analyzed, but it looks to my eye that the little black puck things that engage those ball ends are made of graphite: self lubricating. I have never added any lube there, no problems in 30 odd years. I've worked on a lot of carb stacks that hadn't been opened since they left the KeiHin factory and never saw a sign of lube in those joints. I use some lube on the shafts so the bellcranks don't corrode on, grease the felt seals, oil or grease the throttle and choke shaft "bearings", and use anti-seize on the screws and nuts.



I have had the same observation over the past 40 years, never saw any lube internally but I do lubricate the external linkage ...Larry

Offline Sketchy Bikes

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 28
    • Sketchy Bikes Home Page
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2013, 05:53:01 PM »
I always use a little 3 in 1 oil on the linkages.  I like to use a few drops on those parts at every oil change as part of my routine also.  Never had any problems at all!
From Rusted and Busted to Custom!!!

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2013, 06:34:46 AM »
thanks everyone.

Also spoke to harisuluv and he also recommends a very light oil on them just to add a little lubrication, cant hurt can it?....

thanks again

Offline Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,113
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #16 on: February 19, 2013, 06:37:29 AM »
Teflon?
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Bru-tom

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 517
Re: lubricating ball joints and linkages on carbs??
« Reply #17 on: February 19, 2013, 06:39:34 AM »
what is? the little ball guide cup things that the springs press onto the balls?