Help with Cleaning Out Carbs

[Js80XS11]

The owner of the bike before me let it sit for 3 years. Needless to say these carbs where a mess. The old gas has gumed up everything and tarnished the bowls and parts. It was so bad the floats didnt even move. I took the carbs all part and poured Gumout carb and choke cleaner in the bowls with only the jets and screws inside (not the floats or float valve seal). I let it sit overnight. Then used B12 Chemtool and a old tooth brush to scrub it clean. Some of the tarnish of the old gas (bronze colored) came out. But most of it is still there. I dont want this stuff to flake off later down the road and stop up the carbs again. How do I get this mess out without messing up the bowls and parts?

[John]

You're just getting started.

You will need to disassemble the carbs further to remove the pilot jets, main jets, emulsion tubes(nozzles), pilot screws, float needle and seats. Use the Berrymans in a spray can,or the pourable stuff, but do not use a carb dip. It will eat the rubber seals around the throttle shafts. Pay close attention to the pilot circuit. That controls the fuel in low RPM up to 3000 RPM. If you look just above the throttle plates you will see three small holes...They are part of the pilot circuit. Make sure the carb spray flows freely from them, and check the orifice for the pilot screws. You should have good flow there also. There is a tip somewhere on how to reserrect a neglected XS, but I can't seem to find it right now. TC knows where it is, so maybe he'll chime in here and direct you towards it.

[Ken Talbot]

Be careful when you're working the carb spray through the wee orifices. It will shoot out at quite a speed, go quite a distance, in some unexpected directions. Use good eye protection - regular glasses are not good enough for this.

[81xsproject]

look around local bike and auto shops to see if anyone has an ultrasonic cleaner.

[Js80XS11]

I figured it out

No more old gas bronze color. I went and bought me a Dremel and some different bristle brushes. (not the wire ones) They work really well without scratching the metal. . I went Dremel crazy on those carbs. No more old gas bronze look I am back to shiny new carbs.

[John]

Re: I figured it out

Originally posted by Js80XS11
No more old gas bronze color. I went and bought me a Dremel and some different bristle brushes. (not the wire ones) They work really well without scratching the metal. . I went Dremel crazy on those carbs. No more old gas bronze look I am back to shiny new carbs.

What about the internal passages? If it sat that long, then just cleaning the bowls won't accomplish anything. I don't mean to sound like a wet blanket, but there is a whole lot more to carb cleaning than just the bowls. Read through the carb cleaning tips and you'll see that it can be quite involved.