Topic: 500 - Replace airbox boots and fuel line with carbs on?

[Chachi]

I've tried searching, but could not find proper threads. I need to do two things and I am wondering if either is possible with keeping carbs on.

1 - replace carb to airbox rubber boots
2 - replace fuel line

[flybox1]

Yes, if you have small hands and a lot of patience 

[dave500]

youll get the airbox boots on,youll end up learning new words trying to wrangle new fuel lines on,the hole in the rack they pass through is offset from the barbs,you might be able to get them off but not back on?i dont think youll save time trying?

[Chachi]

You've both confirmed my assumptions. I have not personally pulled carbs before. I guess these two tasks would be a good excuse to 'learn'? I could see that I could probably get the airbox boots on with some fighting, but I want to be sure that I fit the fuel line properly. After I posted I read the instructions on pulling carbs. It doesn't sound that bad. Should a first-timer be too concerned? Sounds like it's going to be quicker to pull carbs to fit the fuel lines vs. fighting it with carbs on. Sound right?

[flybox1]

yes,  I probably would have been done with both by now 

...but why stop there?  clean your carbs   

[phil71]

+1 Flybox. Also, your hands will look like they were dragged behind a truck on a gravel road. I have had an easier time after soaking boots in hot soapy water first. New or old, they get a little easier to maneuver for awhile.

[bryanj]

Having spent years practicing yes you can do both but not when somebody of a sensitive nature is listening and you need all sorts of exoticaly bent tools to stop the fuel "T" moving when you push the pipe on----Then yoou find you holed the pipe doing it and you get a fuel leak----more new words and another attempt

[MOONDOGNYC]

Taking the carbs off is easy. When you out them back together, just make sure there are no gaps in the boots.Front or rear of the carbs. Keep it leak free. Simple.

[Dave Voss]

Yes, both are possible, but not easy.  I don't like pulling the carbs off unless I have too, so I've learned to put up with the challenges involved by working around them.  Here are two tips that can make it just a little bit easier.

1) Loosen or remove the fasteners that secure the air box to the frame, as this will allow it to move around a bit, making installation of the boots slightly easier.

2) Spray a small amount of WD-40 inside the end of the fuel hose, as this temporarily lubricates the inside, allowing it to be pushed over the barb on the fuel fitting without too much effort.

[Chachi]

Thanks for all the info/replies.