Author Topic: Removing rack of carbs, 750k5 (Read 6329 times)

Schnell · « **on:** June 16, 2014, 06:26:54 PM »

I've never done this before and was wondering how big a job and how long of a job this is. I have the stock airbox.

The reason for contemplating this is that even though my bike runs well, there are a few little bothersome things that could be improved.

The bike runs a bit rich and gets poor fuel economy. I barely need to use the choke to start the bike and I need to take off the choke immediately. I don't know what jets I have in there or how the air mixture screw is set either. I'm thinking that the slide needle clip position could be optimized. I've never been into the carbs so I don't know where they are now.

At low rpms (<3500), the bike surges a bit. It does not run as smoothly as it does at higher rpms (>3500). I'm thinking that maybe the rubber boots leak air and/or the slow speed jets and/or emulsification tubes are semi blocked with varnish. The bike did sit for 10 years in a garage before I got it.

The bike idles a bit high, close to 1800 without throttle, until the throttle grip is twisted further over some resistance. So the throttle cables need to be better adjusted. Just another reason to dive in.

The thing is, the bike runs pretty damn well as is, and I could easily complete my planned trip this summer without messing with it. However, forcing myself to dig into this will result in me better knowing my bike and being better prepared to make repairs on the road if needed.

So how long should this take? I'm guessing 6 to 8 hours considering that this is my first time. Thoughts? Thank you!

MoMo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2014, 06:38:52 PM »

6 to 8 hours is optimistic if you plan on totally disassembling and cleaning, especially first time. Idle can be turned down with one screw, should be a tad over 1000 rpm. Have you run Seafoam through the bike?...Larry

DH · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2014, 06:39:01 PM »

http://www.salocal.com/sohc/sohc.htm

there's a section here about carbs..
left side of page, tech jump menu, should get you there.

Schnell · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2014, 06:46:52 PM »

Thanks DH, I'll do some more reading.

MoMo, I'm not going to separate the carbs or completely disassemble them, only identify and clean jets, emulsifier tubes, and try a leaner slide needle clip position.

I have run seafoam through the bike, by putting 1/4 can into a full gas tank. This is not the most powerful/effective way of using seafoam.

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2014, 07:02:17 PM »

I've removed the jets on a K5 without pulling the carbs, but to clean properly, you'll need to pull them.
I've removed them in 30 min or so.
Read up, removal/reinstall is not that difficult when you know the tricks [grease and a heat gun]

FAQ here....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5410.0

Schnell · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2014, 08:02:19 PM »

Thanks Steve-o.

If I don't separate the carbs, the sync will still be good, right?

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2014, 08:29:06 PM »

You'll need to do a vac sync regardless, usually the last step after carb work.

Schnell · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2014, 08:43:31 PM »

Right, because the slides come out of the top, right? You can see I wasn't kidding about not having done this before!

MoMo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2014, 09:22:54 PM »

Right, slides come out the top, which needs to be done to remove emulsifier midrange jets

Bodi · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2014, 10:01:20 PM »

"emulsifier midrange jets"

mrbreeze · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2014, 12:32:58 AM »

You say you have a stock airbox so I don't think you will need to worry about clip position. I would pull them so it will be easier to work on. I need to do mine now also. I rebuilt them around 5-6 years ago. I run pods so I had to do a bunch of testing and different combinations to get it running sweet. All I'm gonna do is take them off and flip em over. Pull all jets and clean everything......emulsion tubes,jets,passage ways, etc. I'm not touching my floats & valves....they are fine. There are different levels of rebuilding. You could just take em off for a clean-up like we're talking here. You could seperate them and totally rebuild each one with new kits, recon. parts like I did last time. The only thing I didn't mess with was the the throttle linkage & spring. That can also be broken down but I didn't think it was necessary.
Anyways you could do the clean up with carbs still attached but in the long run it's easier just to pull them. You will for sure notice a big difference when they are all clean and synched. Make sure all of your tune up items are gone through before vacuum synching. If you do break them down make sure and keep track of how you removed choke linkage. That can be a pita if don't get it back right.
You will enjoy your trip much more with a well tuned machine.

evanphi · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:20:50 AM »

Yeah you will have to completely disassemble the carb rack to adjust the needle clip position. I used that Salocal site when I was first taking my carbs apart. Helped a lot!

For re-inserting, just make sure you have the boots on the engine FIRST before trying to get the rack back on. I learned the hard way... in an oncoming downpour and thunderstorm. With no garage. Also... lube is your friend!

flybox1 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:37:48 AM »

Carb cleaning, and getting them on and off the bike is a pretty simple (and quick) task, once you've been through it a few times.
The innards are straightforward. Take pictures if you need. Dont separate the carbs from eachother. Just open check and clean.
Do one bowl removal/jet cleaning/float checking at a time.

But the biggest tip I can give you, to save some frustration and swearing, is to separate the halves of your airbox first before trying to remove the airbox.
Drop the bottom of the airbox off....remove it and the filter before you undo and pull the top half and its boots off the carbs.
And vice versa when putting it back on. Top half of the airbox and boots on the carbs first, then install the filter and lower half.
Too many times I wrestled with getting the WHOLE airbox in and on without crushing the boots or boot clamps. PITA!
Separate them first

Schnell · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:46:31 AM »

Separate the airbox first, got that, thanks.
Rubber boots on engine first, thanks.

But do I really have to separate the carbs from each other in order to check slide needle clip position?

goldarrow · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:49:56 AM »

Quote from: MoMo on June 16, 2014, 09:22:54 PM

Right, slides come out the top, which needs to be done to remove emulsifier midrange jets

That's for a 550 carbs

goldarrow · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:51:11 AM »

Slides and needles can come off the top without remove the rack off the bike

flybox1 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:52:56 AM »

Quote from: Schnell on June 17, 2014, 07:46:31 AM

But do I really have to separate the carbs from each other in order to check slide needle clip position?

NO. they come out thru the top caps...

Schnell · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:55:47 AM »

Quote from: goldarrow on June 17, 2014, 07:51:11 AM

Slides and needles can come off the top without remove the rack off the bike

Thanks, good to know. This also means the cabs do not have to be separated.

I may still take off the rack to facilitate the cleaning of the jets and reseating of the boots. But maybe first just remove the top caps and check needle clip position.

goldarrow · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:57:05 AM »

Yes. Remove the rack is better so you can check float heights and etc...

Schnell · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2014, 07:58:45 AM »

There's nothing like getting to know your bike intimately, eh?

flybox1 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:05:28 AM »

...and a few beers always helps

Basic, but thorough maintenance, can all be done thru the top caps or float bowls. The carbs only need to be separated from themselves if they need to be de-barnacled from extended time at the bottom of the ocean.

Its a bigger headache than most want....

evanphi · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:07:57 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on June 17, 2014, 08:05:28 AM

...and a few beers always helps
Basic, but thorough maintenance, can all be done thru the top caps or float bowls. The carbs only need to be separated from themselves if they need to be de-barnacled from extended time at the bottom of the ocean. Its a bigger headache than most want....

When taking out the slides/caps, if you don't want to undo the slide adjustment nuts, is there a way to take them off?

Basically if I wanted to adjust my needles, could I do so without having to a) remove my rack and b) vacuum sync?

flybox1 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:14:12 AM »

Quote from: evanphi on June 17, 2014, 08:07:57 AM

Quote from: flybox1 on June 17, 2014, 08:05:28 AM
...and a few beers always helps
Basic, but thorough maintenance, can all be done thru the top caps or float bowls. The carbs only need to be separated from themselves if they need to be de-barnacled from extended time at the bottom of the ocean. Its a bigger headache than most want....

When taking out the slides/caps, if you don't want to undo the slide adjustment nuts, is there a way to take them off?

Basically if I wanted to adjust my needles, could I do so without having to a) remove my rack and b) vacuum sync?

No, you have to remove the slide arm to get the needles out.
your statement above was a little misleading...

Quote from: evanphi on June 17, 2014, 07:20:50 AM

Yeah you will have to completely disassemble the carb rack to adjust the needle clip position.

and we wanted Schnell to know he didnt have to disassemble the 'rack' of carbs

as in separation from each other is not required to get the needles out.

Yes, you should always do another vacuum sync after slides are removed.

goldarrow · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:33:55 AM »

I've removed slides and needles from the top without carbs coming off the rack. K5 carbs, KO carbs, 550 carbs....

Schnell · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:08:26 AM »

Many, many thanks for your help everyone! I love this site.

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Author Topic: Removing rack of carbs, 750k5 (Read 6329 times)

DH