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I've been PM'd about this a few times, so I thought I would just write this so kkim and a few of the other regulars can point people to it like they do so well with other threads, lol!
Don't forget to +rep!
Its so easy to do there are no pics. If you can't figure it out, please purchase a new slide/diaphragm.
So anyways, I was putting my carbs back together one afternoon and saw light through one of the diaphragms. There was a split like someone knicked it with a razor. I am still not quite sure how I split the thing to begin with, pisses me off to think about it again... grrrrr... I was wanting to ride that afternoon and not wanting to spend the $100 or something for a new diaphragm I decided to TRY and fix it... with success! Here is how:
Anyways, ever patch a bicycle tire tube? Its exactly the same concept. Go to your local Walmart (most bicycle shops don't sell them, they'd rather sell you a new tube) and go to the bicycle section where they keep all the tires. Get a patch kit. Its like $2 or something. My patch kit has been in my toolbox since I was a kid so I used that.
The patches that come in the kit are a little thick, so I used a leftover piece of thin rubber that was in my toolbox from a project about 16 years ago. You can try to use one of the thick patches, unless you busted through the edge of the diaphragm, then you will need something thinner. For something thinner, you can try using a cheap bicycle tube and cut out a small piece about the size of a postage stamp. You can even try a black rubber electrical tape with the rubber cement from the repair kit.
1. Cut a patch out a 1/4" bigger than the hole or split or tear in your diaphragm.
2. When applying the patch, center it as nearly as possible over the puncture.
3. It's much easier to get a patch to stay on the diaphragm if you clean the area well, use a little piece of sandpaper or the little buffing tool that comes in the patch kit to rough up the surface of the diaphragm around the tear *ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE DIAPHRAGM* as big as the patch will be just a little, then clean it again after scratching it up real good. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TEAR THE HOLE BIGGER! I recommend top side because the gasoline fumes are not as likely to get in there.
4. Apply rubber cement (I like the smell) from the kit to the diaphragm in an area larger than the patch. Also apply rubber cement to the thin rubber patch and let it dry until it looks a little milky on the surface before applying the patch to the diaphragm. Don't be afraid of using too much, make sure the patch is completely covered! I don't recommend licking off the excess, it doesn't taste as nice as it smells.
5. Press the patch onto the split area, and rub the patch into in firmly and hold it with your thumb for a few minutes. Don't use a death grip or each minute will seem like forever and you might let go too soon or pass out from exhaustion.
If you got it all correctly, the patch should stay on there, let it dry for a couple hours sufficiently before trying to install it. Put your carbs back together and be careful not to bust another hole!
So anyways, the thing has been holding up now for months, no problems, no headaches, no strangeness. I've taken the carbs apart for a re-tune a few weeks ago and its still holding strong. If it falls apart or causes a problem, I'll replace it. Until then, weeeeeeeee!
*do not attempt this method for feminine contraceptive repairs*
Don't forget to +rep!
Its so easy to do there are no pics. If you can't figure it out, please purchase a new slide/diaphragm.
So anyways, I was putting my carbs back together one afternoon and saw light through one of the diaphragms. There was a split like someone knicked it with a razor. I am still not quite sure how I split the thing to begin with, pisses me off to think about it again... grrrrr... I was wanting to ride that afternoon and not wanting to spend the $100 or something for a new diaphragm I decided to TRY and fix it... with success! Here is how:
Anyways, ever patch a bicycle tire tube? Its exactly the same concept. Go to your local Walmart (most bicycle shops don't sell them, they'd rather sell you a new tube) and go to the bicycle section where they keep all the tires. Get a patch kit. Its like $2 or something. My patch kit has been in my toolbox since I was a kid so I used that.
The patches that come in the kit are a little thick, so I used a leftover piece of thin rubber that was in my toolbox from a project about 16 years ago. You can try to use one of the thick patches, unless you busted through the edge of the diaphragm, then you will need something thinner. For something thinner, you can try using a cheap bicycle tube and cut out a small piece about the size of a postage stamp. You can even try a black rubber electrical tape with the rubber cement from the repair kit.
1. Cut a patch out a 1/4" bigger than the hole or split or tear in your diaphragm.
2. When applying the patch, center it as nearly as possible over the puncture.
3. It's much easier to get a patch to stay on the diaphragm if you clean the area well, use a little piece of sandpaper or the little buffing tool that comes in the patch kit to rough up the surface of the diaphragm around the tear *ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE DIAPHRAGM* as big as the patch will be just a little, then clean it again after scratching it up real good. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TEAR THE HOLE BIGGER! I recommend top side because the gasoline fumes are not as likely to get in there.
4. Apply rubber cement (I like the smell) from the kit to the diaphragm in an area larger than the patch. Also apply rubber cement to the thin rubber patch and let it dry until it looks a little milky on the surface before applying the patch to the diaphragm. Don't be afraid of using too much, make sure the patch is completely covered! I don't recommend licking off the excess, it doesn't taste as nice as it smells.
5. Press the patch onto the split area, and rub the patch into in firmly and hold it with your thumb for a few minutes. Don't use a death grip or each minute will seem like forever and you might let go too soon or pass out from exhaustion.
If you got it all correctly, the patch should stay on there, let it dry for a couple hours sufficiently before trying to install it. Put your carbs back together and be careful not to bust another hole!
So anyways, the thing has been holding up now for months, no problems, no headaches, no strangeness. I've taken the carbs apart for a re-tune a few weeks ago and its still holding strong. If it falls apart or causes a problem, I'll replace it. Until then, weeeeeeeee!
*do not attempt this method for feminine contraceptive repairs*