[arron]

nice wright up mate..

 

[Randy_H]

very nice indeed! Thank you!

I just finished cleaning the jets and putting the bike back together from your first writeup. A little tip for anyone doing it in the future, after you remove the screws that hold the bowls onto the carb (those @$#* JIS type screws), run down to your local Home Depot and pick up some Cap Screw Sockets 5mm x 10mm replacements. They work like a charm as a replacement!

Thanks again camaroguy! You saved me mucho dineros at the local Kawi shop!

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I did this today on my ’08 ZZR. I had left untreated gas in the tank all winter. It would only run with full choke and stall as soon as the throttle was opened.

All four pilot jets were clogged. A long soak in Berryman B-12, de-clogging with a single strand of copper wire, a blast of compressed air and all four jets were good as new.

The screws holding the float cover are ridiculous. The vise-grip trick worked perfectly. There’s no way those screws are coming off with a screwdriver. I replaced the OEM screws with socket head screws from Lowes.

After I put the bike back together, it started right up and idled smooth.
This write-up by Camaroman is very helpful and accurate. I had never done this before and I was able to finish the job with no issues.

One thing I would add is re: removal of the throttle bracket from the carb assembly. There is a long bolt that holds the bracket to the assembly and passes through four carbs. There are aluminum spacers between each carb body. Be sure these don’t fall out when you remove the throttle bracket bolt. Definitely stuff some paper towels into the air intake openings before removing this bolt to prevent one of these spacers to fall into the engine.

Thanks again Camaroman! Good karma coming your way…

 

[arron]

I undone the carbs from the rubber tubes and put a clean rag over the holes then undone ll the add on bits like that.. Think the allen key bolts are a great idea..

 

[lil high risk]

Well I broke off my fuel on and off and res switch when putting my gas tank back on but got my carbs cleaned enjoyed my beer thanks alot Camaroguy

 

[camaroguy72]

Well I broke off my fuel on and off and res switch when putting my gas tank back on but got my carbs cleaned enjoyed my beer thanks alot Camaroguy

I did that once too... lol. I feel your pain. I JUST got around to replacing it this winter... up til now I just kept it on reserve all the time haha. I did it successfully without breaking many times.. then one time in a hurry, snap.

 

[lil high risk]

I had to tighten a bolt today that I forgot to yesterday but anyways after getting everything back together again I went for a ride to see how everything was working cuz when I cleaned my carbs I changed the oil, oil filter and put a new air filter on the bike. But my problem is my throttle cable. I have about a half inch play in the throttle before it starts to work. is that just a matter of taking everything off up to the throttle cable and readjusting it?

 

[lil high risk]

I got my throttle back tight i just had to crank the cable adjustment by the hand control. is it difficult to replace the fuel switch?

 

[camaroguy72]

I had to tighten a bolt today that I forgot to yesterday but anyways after getting everything back together again I went for a ride to see how everything was working cuz when I cleaned my carbs I changed the oil, oil filter and put a new air filter on the bike. But my problem is my throttle cable. I have about a half inch play in the throttle before it starts to work. is that just a matter of taking everything off up to the throttle cable and readjusting it?

adjust it at the handlebar... the adjustment screws are right where the cables go into the housing i believe.

 

[Randy_H]

Just curious, what did you guys use to get the pin out that holds the float? a small trim carpentry nail? When I cleaned my carbs after the winter, I didn't bother trying to remove them but after my jet kit comes, I'm going to do another FULL cleaning with camaroguy's updated tutorial.

Also, the plug that covers the pilot air screw, does it need to be replaced after you drill it out? I think the service manual says to replace it, but I think it is just a dealer service thing and not necessary.

 

[camaroguy72]

Just curious, what did you guys use to get the pin out that holds the float? a small trim carpentry nail? When I cleaned my carbs after the winter, I didn't bother trying to remove them but after my jet kit comes, I'm going to do another FULL cleaning with camaroguy's updated tutorial.

Also, the plug that covers the pilot air screw, does it need to be replaced after you drill it out? I think the service manual says to replace it, but I think it is just a dealer service thing and not necessary.

I think i just used the end of a small screw driver to get it started, then pulled it out with needle nose pliers... it will even come out by hand once you get it started.

I wouldn't bother replacing those covers... not sure what the manual calls for.. but its useless in my mind since there is a gasket on the sealing surface anyways. I think the intent was to make the carbs tamper proof for emission purposes.

 

[lil high risk]

Just curious, what did you guys use to get the pin out that holds the float? a small trim carpentry nail? When I cleaned my carbs after the winter, I didn't bother trying to remove them but after my jet kit comes, I'm going to do another FULL cleaning with camaroguy's updated tutorial.

Also, the plug that covers the pilot air screw, does it need to be replaced after you drill it out? I think the service manual says to replace it, but I think it is just a dealer service thing and not necessary.

I used a sewing needle

 

[300joe]

how do i do the shim mod?

 

[Jeff in Kentucky]

carb cleaning tip

It is best to put some Sea Foam in the gas tank once a year, especially right before storage. The Sea Foam stabilizes the fuel and cleans the carbs.

Before storage, run the bike enough to get the Sea Foam down in the carb float bowls, then leave the fuel valve on while the bike is stored, with the gas tank full. This way, as fuel evaporates from the carb float bowls, the float valves open and add more fuel.

When getting the bike out of storage, make sure the gas tank is still full- there is a slight chance that a float valve will stick, flooding a carb and possibly filling one or more cylinders with fuel, which would not be good.

Sea Foam is available at most auto parts stores- I buy mine at the local Walmart. I think it works much better than Stabil, and is a good first attempt at cleaning before taking apart the carbs- let it soak for a few days.

Here is a web site about Sea Foam:

Sea Foam - webBikeWorld

 

[bigmalof00]

First off, great write up for both of them and thanks... second the manual for my 95 6r (not sure which bike u are using) says do a float fuel level check do/did you do this or I shouldn't be to worried about it? I might do it anyway though since I used to smell gas when I came into my garage so i thought maybe it was flooding somehow or something but either way I just wanted your or anyone elses input. I'm going to do my carbs within the next week or so to hopefully correct some cutting off and bad idle problems figured my pilot jet is gummed... Thanks

 

[geno2000]

Has anyone had issues with diaphragm vacuum valve not sitting back into the carb grove snuggly? Im not sure how its suppose to fit back, when I put the lip/bump/end of the diaphragm into the little groove on the carb, I get slack left over. Can my Diaphragm be stretched out somehow? Was I not suppose to use Carb Cleaner on it? Any help will sure be appreciated.

I will try to take pictures of what im talking about but no sure how to post them on here.

 

[SurfinGator]

+1 on the SeaFoam. ... I use about a cup of SeaFoam in a full tank.

 

[bigmalof00]

Has anyone had issues with diaphragm vacuum valve not sitting back into the carb grove snuggly? Im not sure how its suppose to fit back, when I put the lip/bump/end of the diaphragm into the little groove on the carb, I get slack left over. Can my Diaphragm be stretched out somehow? Was I not suppose to use Carb Cleaner on it? Any help will sure be appreciated.

I will try to take pictures of what im talking about but no sure how to post them on here.

Hey man. I'm not exactly sure what could be the problem but i do remember reading on here somewhere that you should carb clean only the metal basically removing all the gaskets and boots and things. As the carb clean will mess with the rubber sometimes eating through it or thinning it out or drying it out. I hope its something fixable for you though cuz those boots arent cheap.

 

[geno2000]

Dang! I wish I had read that somewhere. I assumed it was ok since the OP said "soak everything", and so I did. I thought my o-ring to the float needle seemed a little larger too. I didnt soak the diaphragms though, I just sprayed them with the carb cleaner and wiped them off, softly. I guess I will have to buy at least one new one to compare.
They should go back snuggly intot he carb groove right?
Thanks for your feedback bigmalof00.
Expensive lesson, but not as expensive as having the stealership do it for me. Oh well. Live and learn.

gEno


I found this on another site, can't remember where, but this would be a good warning on this diy maybe OP can post it.

Carb Cleaning 101
Warning: Remove all rubber (Neoprene) parts before you begin. These parts usually include vacuum diaphragms, needle valves, o’rings, hoses, and other parts. Spray cleaners may damage these parts. Do not disassemble individual carbs from the carb bracket.

 

[bigmalof00]

Now i remember of course yeah it was that random carb 101 site when I was cleaning my carbs out this past summer. I haven't done the back side of my carbs yet so i cant say how they should fit. and also if you just sprayed them and wiped them and didn't soak them then they shouldnt have gotten messed up with the carb cleaner but who knows. BTW what bike do you have