Topic: Band Clamps Pinching Air Plenum Boots-- Why?

[Popwood]

Maybe it's because it was getting late last night, and maybe the lights in the garage aren't so bright, but installing the carb bank on my 550 I ran into the band clamps pinching the carb boots as the clamps tightened up. This is on the air plenum side of the carbs where the rubber is softer. My guess is it's the steel tang on the screw head side that is supposed to slide under the nut side. I tried bending the tang a bit until it looked right-- at least not pointing down so as to dig into the rubber, but still had the problem. Haven't tried the engine side yet but don't expect that will be a problem since the rubber is harder/stiffer.

Any tricks here, things to look out for? Maybe a little lube under the tang?

Would like to finish this up tonight. Thanks for any suggestions.

[bucky katt]

are you using the clamps made for the carb boots? those old style screw hose clamps arent worth a #$%* on out carb boots

[Popwood]

Well, I'm 99% certain they are original to the bike, and yes, they are the screw type. Are you saying they should be changed out for regular hose clamps or something else?

[Popwood]

Just for the sake record keeping, finished up the carb install tonight without a hitch. Maybe I'm the last guy to figure this out, but there are actually two different clamps that came from the factory, as I presume this set is original. The rear band clamps, the ones that clamp carb to air plenum boots are different from the band clamps that connect the boots between carb and engine. The rear plenum clamps have a longer "tang" that slips under the nut side of the clamp. I just didn't notice this on my first attempt. Tonight, with the right clamps in the right place, no problem at all. And I don't find these "old hose clamps" a problem at all once I put the right ones in the right places. Again, this is for a '75 550K, may be different for other models.