Topic: Ok so whats the secret to carb install

[Jasondo]

Just got my fresh set of carbs from cleaning and attempting to install but having a heck of a time getting them into the rubber boots in the head. The boots are definitely in the correct order ( the offset boots are in the middle)  even put a light coat of grease in the boot opening . still cant get them to pop in. Its almost like the boots them selves are so old they resist stretching over the carb ports.   what can I do to ease these on?

Thanks!

[bjbuchanan]

I get #1 on first the kinda hug the bike so it stays in place while I ram them home. It takes a bit of muscling regardless of lubing them up

[flybox1]

Ratchet straps around the engine and frame. 

[bailboy]

Get a heat gun or hair dryer.  Heat up the carb boots then line the carbs up and push.

 I feel ratchet straps may by harmful.  That's just me no offense is meant toward that method. 

There is a possibility that I could make a video if requested. 

Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk 2

[Vinhead1957]

Some people heat the rubbers with a hair dryer to soften them a bit

[KC_Northstar]

Ratchet straps around the engine and frame. 

                      +1 on the ratchet strap

             I lubed the rubbers with some WD-40 and then put a ratcheting tie down strap around the front of
             the engine and back of carbs.   They popped right on after a few cranks of the ratchet.

             KC

[Jasondo]

Ok I request a video!!

[andrewk]

I should post a video of carb install with new boots.  Ratchet straps and 2x4's?  Not needed!  Effortless with good boots!

That said, I've had good luck with boiling them in water for a few minutes, then installing right away.

I know not everyone needs or can swing money for new intake boots, but you might consider squirreling away for a set while we can still buy them.

[rhinoracer]

+2 on the ratchet straps.

[KC_Northstar]

I wish I had taken a picture when I did it.  I'll try to explain.  I tried for half an hour to get my carbs on.
one side would go on but the other would pop back off.  I was really tired from all the force I had
to exert.   I gave up and tried the strap method.  I ran the strap around the back of the carbs. Right over
the middle of the throat that the air cleaner rubber go on.  I ran it around the valve cover as low as it would
go which was right about at the bottom of the valve cover.  I had the ratchet at the side of the valve cover.
I put rag under it to protect the valve cover from scratches.  a couple of cranks on the ratchet and that side
Popped on.  I then removed the strap and put it back on with the ratchet on the other side.  A couple more
cranks and that side popped also.  total time about 5 minutes.  Super easy.

KC

[Reganator]

I vote for softening in wintergreen oil or wintergreen oil and xy... that alcohol stuff Hondaman is always talking about.  Xylol I think.  Anyway, I just boiled mine in water with like 8 oz of Wintergreen oil I got from the local Walgreens for like 6 bucks.  My carbs pop on and off, no problem. 

[flybox1]

<2 minute ratchet strap drill....
Wrap the strap all the way around the engine, on the outside of the front downtubes.
Lay the strap flat on the fins, and flat across the inlet holes of the carbs. 
The ratchet mech should be flat on the fins closest to you. Towel under them if you feel the need. 
Start cranking until they pop on.
Done.

I second the soft boots. Mine go on with just a palm push..

[BLUE71TURBO]

Take the manifolds off, clean them then soak them in some hot water for awhile, they will stay pliable for a while. It will help alot to make the installation easier.       

[Bailgang]

Get a heat gun or hair dryer.  Heat up the carb boots then line the carbs up and push.

 I feel ratchet straps may by harmful.  That's just me no offense is meant toward that method. 

There is a possibility that I could make a video if requested. 

Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk 2

Hold on bud, don't make it sound so easy, you've got brand new boots remember? Anyhow +1 on the heat gun or hair blow dryer none the less on new or old boots. My son here still has my heat gun so when installing the carbs on my 750 that has old boots last night I used my wifes blow dryer and the carbs went right on with minimal effort. If you have old hard carb boots then just take a hair dryer and get the boots warm and you'll see how quickly they become pliable again.

[jason41987]

i have the seat off my bike, so this probably would have been more comfortable if had it on.. but i layed over the bike from the back, and just used brute strength to push them on

[Bankerdanny]

Heat, heat heat.

That's what I learned having the carbs on my '77 550 on and off 6 or 7 times over a 2 week period when I was getting it back on the road. It doesn't need to be a heat gun, a hair drier works just fine.

[Viktor.J]

I don't think people with new boots should be quite, oldboots and new boots are two different worlds. 

I used a littel oil/grease on the boot, then we were two persons pressing on the carbs with hand power.
The problem after that is the airbox (if you have old rubber). I used a heating gun there, Heated up each velocity stack then installingthem one by one. When all 4 was mounted I heated them all up at the same time then quickly forced the airbox in. Made sure that they wasn't wrinckled or anything inside the air box..

[Duanob]

I dunno about a 400F but my 550 I put the rubbers, intakes, and carbs on as one unit, simple and easy. slide in perpendicular with the intakes pointed up then turn into position by pushing back on the plastic plenum. Once the intakes are on the studs then slip the o-rings in place, push against the head and assemble with nuts and washers. Then push the carb to airbox rubbers into place starting with the inside ones first.

[coolmaven]

I put mine in the microwave for a few seconds and they slipped right on.

[Bailgang]

It doesn't need to be a heat gun, a hair drier works just fine.

+1
I use my heat gun when ever possible because my wife gets pissed every time she catches me taking her hair drier out to the garage.

[nccb]

make a video for the hell of it.  There are always people who like watching it down before attempting any procedure. . .like me

[george]

Just Face it, they are a real PITA to get on , but it happens , with a bit of effort ! Part of the Joy ! All great ideas and info posted so far !Very satisfing when they pop into home ! What sux is having to remove them soon after !

[Jasondo]

:::::::UPDATE:::::::

Ok so after listening to everyone's advice on what method to use I went with heating with a heat gun and THIS.WORKED.GREAT. These 37 year old hard as a rock boots softened up and were as pliable as new boots.  Not to knock on the ratchet strap method but I feel its totally unnecessary not to mention with all that tension you risk slipping and scratching up or your baby. I first applied a very light coat of axle grease to the inside of the boot and then hit them with a 1500W heat gun on HIGH. I bet I went back and forth across all four boots for a solid 8-10 minutes until they were quite hot. Lined up the carbs and they went on with almost no effort.

[Bailgang]

8 to 10 mins?!! Yow that's a bunch! I think I should've pointed out that you don't have to get them scorching hot, a couple mins is all I need unless your boots were rock hard. Well anyhow it's good to hear it worked for you. I think it's pretty clear that there are at least 2 methods either ratchet strap or heat that works so for anyone reading this thread just pick the method that suits you.

[bailboy]

I have to take the carbs off to adjust the needle clip after work so I'll make a video of them going back on.  Man my dad's heat gun is great and so is my brother's sync gauges

Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk 2