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Offline Dr. Noisewater

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Carb boots?
« on: June 06, 2013, 11:22:48 AM »
Hey guys, I bought a 75 cb550 over the winter that I'm trying to get running. It had been sitting for almost 20 years (possibly outside). I've been going through everything in order to try and start it; plugs, coils, oil/filter, air filter, battery, and I'm having the carbs rebuilt right now. I thought I had thought of everything then I remembered carb boots..

I took the carbs off over the winter and stuffed the boots to the motor with paper towels. My question is whether I should replace those boots now or wait to see if they're a problem? I really don't want to have to take the carbs off again after I reinstall them, so what do you suggest? I also don't know if the engine is any good, but it turns over nicely. Considering that I don't want to put too much money into it beforehand in case it's a loss.

Should I try with the boots I have? Buy some cheap used off eBay? Or just get some new ones? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
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Offline Ian_Butler

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2013, 11:25:27 AM »
Dime city sells those boots. They are not expensive.
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~ Ian

1974 CB550K

“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.” ― Robert M. Pirsig

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2013, 11:38:16 AM »
I didn't do anything with the 34 year old boots on my '77 550 when I bought it in 2011.

You can soften them up if you feel like you need to with a mix of wintergreen oil and water (search wintergreen and you will find more info about this).

Unless they are cracked or rock hard I would leave them alone.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

bollingball

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2013, 12:03:01 PM »
Just use the ones you have and see if it wants to fire up a few minutes. Unless one of them has a huge split or is hard as a rock. Then start making up a list of parts. It may be fine depends on why and how it was stored.
It had been sitting for almost 20 years (possibly outside)
That is the part I don't like :(
Ken
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2013, 12:09:12 PM »
Yes, where it was sitting can make a difference. Mine was sitting for 25 years before I got it, but clearly it was in a climate controlled area because it had very little rust and the vinyls and rubber were all in good shape.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Dr. Noisewater

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2013, 02:20:43 PM »
Cool thanks guys. When I bought the bike it was sitting in a field stocked full of deteriorating collectibles, and I'm not sure how long it had been there. I think I'm gonna go ahead and buy fresh ones. I'm curious though, are the boots on the airbox side of the carbs the same as those on the motor side? I thought I read somewhere that they were different, but Dime City only has the one kind.. I'm only gonna worry about the carb-motor side for now, but I'm just curious.

While we're at it.. is there anything else I haven't mentioned that you guys suggest I take care of before I try to kick this thing over?
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Offline matt mattison

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Re: Carb boots?
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2013, 02:44:32 PM »
Air box side is different . eBay sometimes has motor side boots.
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1975 CB550F
2011 MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR
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