Topic: 1976 Barn Find Update. Ok How Do I Get Those Carbs Off??

[saw750]

So everything went by the book. Front fender. Front Caliper (lol the brake reservoir was filled with putty lol). Seat. Air box. Tank (full of lacquer, some rust and foul gas) No problems.

So what is the secret to getting those darn carbs to budge. I released the throttle cables. Loosened the carb/rubber retaining rings but the carbs dont move..

This was my last task of the day so I didnt spend all that much time messing with it...but there has to be right way and wrong way.

So i thought I better ask before I resorted to brute force. I dont see anything that should stop the assembly from slipping off.

so what am i missing??

thanks saw750

[kghost]

Airbox is off?

[Johnie]

Brute force and sometimes a hot air dryer to soften up the rubbers will help a lot. I had good luck with starting at one side and going from carb 1 - 4 sort of prying from left to right. Rather than trying to come straight back with all 4 at once.

[grandelatte]

i had to put the tie strap around the carbs and rear grab bar to pull the carbs off.

[saw750]

 nice photo. oh heck i like that idea! everything else has come off so smoothly. all the threads of every bolt have been clean and like new, then i hit those darn carbs and had to stop and think lmao

[bird]

Have you got a Mack truck attached to those straps! Seriously, try squirting and soaking it all in WD40 and wait some time. Other guys are right too about applying some
heat, but not too much – burnt rubber sucks. Also, try some gentle but firm tapping with a rubber mallet: may loosen things up a bit. Good luck. ^^

[Terry in Australia]

Tip a kettle full of boiling water over the rubbers mate, and the carbs will come off fine. N.B., Make sure you're not standing with your feet under the bike when you do it.......... 

[ekpent]

I am with Johnie   Schooled on this site but HEAT helps.Put your wifes hair dryer on HI or if you have a real heat gun warm them well and they will get a little more supple-------------   OOOOH   ---  HEY the boots  

[Steve F]

I found that I first have to break the rubber parts free from the engine spigots with a large flat screwdriver, just lightly pry on the edge or end of the rubbers to break the bond.  After that, I stradle the bike, and push down on the whole carb rack and try to work it toward the rear, then pull up with the same rearward pressure, rocking them off the engine spigots up and down.

[ekpent]

+ 1 on the up and down rocking,both for removing and installing. Wear some good heavy duty gloves also unless you like to give a little flesh to the HONDA gods       Hate those tabs------------

[Grnrngr]

I found that I first have to break the rubber parts free from the engine spigots with a large flat screwdriver, just lightly pry on the edge or end of the rubbers to break the bond.

Not an unusual condition with rubber tubing thats been attached to a metal fitting for a LONG time...like radiator/heater core hoses and such.  At least you don't have to worry about crushing brass inlet/outlet pipes..
 

[Johnie]

+ 1 on the up and down rocking,both for removing and installing. Wear some good heavy duty gloves also unless you like to give a little flesh to the HONDA gods       Hate those tabs------------

+2 on that one!!!

[ekpent]

Also when installing or removing,as you are pushing,lifting,rocking, and grunting,and making your wife worried   while straddling your machine have it in first gear so it will not roll  

[jeepster]

I used a claw hammer with a rubber coated handle and a little bit o wiggle.

[Don R]

all the above and some silicone grease to re-install. I think it helps slipping them on and sealing. Going on I have used a piece of wood over the carb faces and a pry bar through the frame on the wood. Be careful on 69 &70 cable type you can break the tie bar that holds them together.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

I just had this problem the other day. I wasnt clever enough to pry them off....I stood above the bike, grabbed either side of the carbs and pulled them up and down while cursing. The cursing helps. Got the job done.

[saw750]

i found that rocking method worked the best. lifted up the edges of the carb rubbers and gave them a shot of triflo and wiggled and rocked and they slipped right off! thanks folks!