Author Topic: Softening rubber carb boots... (Read 14177 times)

Lumbee · « **on:** October 25, 2006, 08:34:22 AM »

...we'v all heard of boiling them in wintergreen oil, but I've found that using a heat gun (or old hair dryer) to warm the boots upfore removing or installing is a quick way to get them on/off the bike.

Tim. · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2006, 10:05:31 AM »

What about a longer lasting treatment to keep them soft? Any thoughts on that?

Lumbee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2006, 10:09:35 AM »

...'they' say wintergreen oil, but i tryed it with no success...maybe i didn't boil them long enough...

BobbyR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2006, 10:43:45 AM »

I also tried soaking them in ATF and they have been soaking since last March and they are still hard as rocks. Bought a NEW set in April and they seal great.

dusterdude · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2006, 11:38:40 AM »

heat,my friends,heat

Daves_76_SS · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2006, 06:27:28 PM »

Glycerine work great!

anubiscycle · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2006, 07:18:24 AM »

Ok farmer boys chime in...............

BAG BALM......freakin magic. You need to brush them a little with a wire brush to open the out side pores first though.

andy750 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2006, 04:03:55 PM »

For a longer lasting effect in keeping carb boots soft (and this can be applied to ANY hard rubber item on these bikes - or anything else for that matter) use ARMOR ALL (http://www.armorall.com.au/content.aspx?id=3).

1. Get a ziplock bag.
2. Put hard rubber item in ziplock bag
3. Spray or cover liberally with Armor All.
4. Close bag tightly
5. Leave for 1 week or more (depending on size and hardness of rubber item)
6. Open bag and feel how soft and pliable the rubber item has become.

Good luck,
cheers
Andy

cleveland · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2006, 04:11:38 PM »

I tried the heat gun last night and they got softer, but not soft enough. I do not want to melt them trying to get them on. #2 and #3 boots would not go on. It seems to take one or the other, but not both.

How long do you heat them?

How soft will they get?

Any suggestions on stretching them out a little to make the opening a little wider?

I have done carbs before and did not have this much trouble with them. My friend that was helping me has his right arm in a cast, so I am sure that made a difference. I thought I did the last ones with out any help though.

Chris Liston · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2006, 07:08:11 AM »

I'm getting ready to put my airbox plenum back on. I'll be taking the pods off. My carb to intake rubbers are like stone. I ordered new ones from Service Honda and also just order new airbox to carb rubbers from David Silver for 18 pounds along with some other stuff. The airbox rubbers I have are all cracked but pliable so I figured since I had the extra cash on hand I might as well order new while I can and they are available.

I love DSS, I ordered caliper piston and piston seal and the airbox rubbers and it still came out less then if I was to order just the caliper piston from my local dealer.

andy750 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2006, 07:40:38 AM »

I agree Chris, DSS is the way to go...I got the new airbox to carb rubbers fromn DSS a while back and what a difference they make for such a small amount of money!! I can now take my airbox off and put it on with ease! (which i did last week when I swtiched carbs on the cafe bike). Its also worth getting the carb to engine rubbers as well as again makes life sooooooo much easier....why wouldnt you!?

good luck,
Andy

cleveland · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2006, 08:05:41 AM »

What is DSS?

andy750 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2006, 08:26:07 AM »

DSS = DAVID SILVER SPARES - based in the UK they are one of the best sources for old honda parts - see them online - google David Silver Spares for web address. Great shipping and very fast to USA.

cheers
Andy

Hop on a Honda · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2006, 12:26:59 PM »

Grab all ya rock hard rubbers and boil some ATF and then just drop the rubbers in and let soak the heat will expand and allow the pores to suck up the goo.
My rubbers came out well but heat is the gee Ohh >Go as well as the right fluid
I found that ATF seemed to work for me.Leave the bag or tray in the sun with the fluid on them helps.
Dave

BobbyR · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2006, 05:45:24 PM »

You cannot get the conpunds that make the rubber elastic back into it. Your best bet is to buy new ones every 30 years and be done with it.

Angry Chair · « **Reply #15 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:16:54 PM »

Heat gun plain and simple

ElCheapo · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2006, 04:01:55 PM »

I have to agree with Chair (first time) I think he stole this idea from me, but I will not clarify this any further.

But I have to keep the minons in line

chung · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2006, 03:02:55 AM »

Bobby has it right............... except that the replacements are 25 years old

Still, at least the "new" ones haven't had 30 years of gasoline to depleted them of their solvents.
A 2x4 and a big bar to pry the carbs on is a good choice. If they split then they were already junk. I have probably pitched much better rubbers than many or you are trying to use.
But that #$%*e is comming back to bite me in the ass, What is it with this rust thing? SoCal and AZ sure looks good for parts

I need a #1/4 manifold for the 29mm smoothies on a K1. I tried to track down the missing one but only have three good ones and 4 junkers

Much silicon and wiring the carbs to the frame for support is the only thing that has kept the ole girl firing on all four Cyls.
970CCs of BLOOD GUTS AND FURY
CHUNG

plastic bikes suck

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #18 on:** December 25, 2006, 08:53:18 PM »

Boiling them in olive oil works

Don't ask me how I know, more importantly, don't tell the wife that I know

medic09 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 25, 2006, 09:25:20 PM »

The wife never has to know what's been in the pots or the dishwasher while she's away...

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2006, 03:31:35 AM »

Quote from: medic09 on December 25, 2006, 09:25:20 PM

The wife never has to know what's been in the pots or the dishwasher while she's away...

Especially if you used the oil to cook the kids' dinner afterwards

Cue the old chinese joke:

This Chicken Tastes Rubbery

njpaddler · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:56:08 AM »

I borrowed a techniquie from boatbuilding for bending wood:

Saturate a bath towel, don't wring it out too much, keep a lot of water in it. Put it into the microwave long enough to get it too hot to pick up, then use your mitts or heavy gloves to do that. Wrap the rubberplenum in this steaming towel, wait a few minutes. It'll be pliable and you're not drying the rubber out further like with a hair dryer.
If you're doing this in Winter in a cold garage you can retain the heat easily by wrapping the steaming towel in a layer of bubble-wrap.

It works like a charm.

kaysystems · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:31:32 AM »

I use Rubber Renue by MGChemicals. It may swell the rubber a bit though.

Also great if you love sniffing stuff

David

BobbyR · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2007, 07:01:49 AM »

Quote from: kaysystems on January 26, 2007, 09:31:32 AM

I use Rubber Renue by MGChemicals. It may swell the rubber a bit though.

Also great if you love sniffing stuff

David

No real magic here. Here is the safety sheet, just some common solvents. I would think twice about inhaling it.

Section 1: Product Identification Product Code: 408A - liquid Name: Rubber Renue
Use: Rejuvenates and conditions rubber.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 2: Hazardous Ingredients: CAS# Chemical Name Percentage by weight ACGIH TWA Osha Pel Osha Stel
1330-20-7 xylenes 70 - 90 100ppm 100ppm 150ppm
119-36-8 methyl salicyate 10 - 30 n/e n/e n/e

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 3: Hazards Identification Eyes: Causes severe eye irritation.
Skin: May cause skin irritation.
Inhalation: May cause drowsiness. Causes respiratory tract irritation. Irritation may lead to chemical pnemontis and pulmonary edema. May cause lung damage.
Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause nausea and vomiting.
Chronic: May cause liver and kidney damage. Repeated exposure may cause metabolic disturbances.

News:

Author Topic: Softening rubber carb boots... (Read 14177 times)

Daves_76_SS

anubiscycle

Hop on a Honda

Angry Chair

njpaddler

kaysystems