I have had to remove my carbs three times now and have used the "rope" method and a blow dryer to heat the rubber boots to re-install them with success each time. Here's a no brainer... just prior to installing any rubber boot or other component on your bike, to make it more pliable, let it sit in a pot of hot water for 5 minutes first. I put my carb boots in a pot of hot water (hot, but not boiling) for five minutes and they were as soft and pliable as butter (like factory new). I was able to manipulate them and stretch them for easy intall no problem. Once installed, they shrunk back and were a tight fit.