Topic: carb cleaner (the dip) and floats

[cb350f_rider_73]

I just recently became the owner of a '73 CB350F.  It seems to be in decent shape, but the carbs need cleaning.  My question is this:  will the dip-type carb cleaner (such as that you can get from Advance Auto) eat the floats if I dip the carbs in there floats and all?  The float pins are stuck, and I figure this could help, but I don't want the stuff eating my floats.  Thanks for your time.

Wayne

[Bob Wessner]

If the floats on your model are plastic (as apposed to brass) yes, something like Chemdip will eat them. Rather than the Chemdip variety of carb cleaner, you can try some Yamaha cleaner, more pleasant to work with and wont attack plastic or rubber parts.

Be real careful with the float hinge pins, it is very easy to break off one of the posts if you apply too much pressure.

[cb350f_rider_73]

Thanks for the tip.  Now to figure out where I'm gonna get the Yamaha carb dip.

Wayne

[Bob Wessner]

My local Honda dealer is also a Yamaha dealer so I bought it there.

[Teach]

I'll second the Yamaha carb cleaner...you can even use it with the carbs still on the bike.  I soaked the carbs of my 78 750F in it for several days and they wound up looking brand new.  Even the brass was shiny.

[Buffo]

i have never used the yamaha stuff and I realize that there is a certin advantage to using it but I have found that every time I try to cut corners with a machine...especially carbs...I have to re-do the job a few more times...

In my opinion there is NO substitute for dismantaling the carbs 100% and replacing every gasket and o-ring...dipping, flushing, compressed air blowing and then checking and double checking EVERY passage for free and uniform flow.

...I have never gotten lucky and had the "easy" way work...

Buffo the Magnificent

[Glenn Stauffer]

My experience is that it depends a lot on how long the bike's been sitting.  If you are dealing with the 'haven't ridden it for a year' carbs, then the Yamaha cleaner does the job just fine.  If the bike's been sitting with bad gas for years and the carbs are a real mess with stuck slides and all, there is no substitute for tearing them all apart and giving them a thorough cleaning.

I've freed stuck float pins by applying penetrating oil over the course of several days to the ends of the pins and letting it soak in good before carefully working at the pins with pliers (if you can get a hold of one end).  Don't force them or the post will break and you'll be very unhappy.

--Glenn

[Buffo]

I am not saying the yamaha dip is uneffective...I have never used it...I like to use Berrymans Chem Dip...It works great for me and how I go about my repairs...

...every carb job I have had to do has been a HUge DEAL... with totally gunked carbs

[cb350f_rider_73]

Hmm...thanks for all the input, I think I'll try the Yamaha stuff first and see how it goes.  You never know, I might just get lucky.  If not, I can have the joy of comparing products and finding out which works better.  Either way, I feel I can learn from this. 

Wayne

[MikeDeB]

Does the Yamaha carb cleaner come in a bottle or spray can?  It sounds like good stuff and I'd like to try it as a dip (instead of the Berryman's I'm using currently) just prior to the ultrasonic cleaner.

Thanks,
Mike

[cb350f_rider_73]

I think I found the stuff being referred to at the Yamaha site.  Here's the link:  http://www.yamaha-motor.com/star/apparel/apscitemdetail/3/122/all/all/322/detail.aspx It  meets the description, and even has the picture, albeit the bottle isn't exactly exciting to look at.   

Wayne

[Bob Wessner]

Does the Yamaha carb cleaner come in a bottle or spray can?  It sounds like good stuff and I'd like to try it as a dip (instead of the Berryman's I'm using currently) just prior to the ultrasonic cleaner.

Yes, it comes in bottles also, I should have mentioned that. That's the way I cleaned mine, by disassembling and soaking all the parts and carb bodies in the Yamaha.