Carbs - How often to tear down and clean

[DenyP]

The manual says every 8,000 miles. I put over 20k on my scoot last year. 8,000 miles seems to be excessive. What are your thoughts?

Deny

[foreda]

If it ain't broke...

Don't fix it!

[TopCatGr58]

If it ain't broke, Don't fix it!

I second that. Once you've torn them down, cleaned them, and installed proper fuel filters and such, then as long as you put in some carb cleaner every once in a while to prevent/remove any gumming from any prolonged storage should be sufficient to keep it running smooth for many years and thousands of miles!!
T.C.

[81xsproject]

once more, never. If you get them clean the first time, use fuel stabilizer or drain the bowls during periods of infrequent riding (winter), and run some Seafoam/B12 through the tank everyonce in a while, you should never have to pull the carbs off again. However, it doesn't hurt to flush the bowls out every few months. Even while I had the petcock tower filters and an inline filter, I would still have a little fine crud in the bottom of my bowls when I pulled them.

[dbeardslee]

I know of one member in particular (steppenwolf) who's the original owner of an 80SG. I don't think he's ever cleaned the carbs, but he rides it regularly and puts a little seafoam in every once in a while. His bike still runs like a top. I think the key is riding enough to keep the gas moving through the system - letting them sit with gas in the carbs seems to be the most common cause of gummed-up carbs.

[bikerphil]

Never have to clean 'em down here in Florida. Ride 'em 365. Long as your tank is clean and are using in-line filters.

[DenyP]

Thanks Guys. This was my openion as well, but I have a few days with the bike down awaiting valve shims...

Thanx

Deny

[trbig]

I don't know if it's just the fuel around here or not, but after a year, (I rode over 20k last year) I had a pretty significant quantity of red clay-looking material in the bowls of the carbs. It wouldn't have been long until the hole that draws fuel to the enrichener circuit jet would have been ingesting this.. whatever it was. If it was clay, which is one of the smallest particulate matters there is, it may have had no problems doing this.. but may have clogged them up.

I think annually at least, just to have a good look, or anytime after a long break in riding. I used to have to rip into motors and split the cases a lot more frequently than 8k miles.. so to have to do a set of carbs?? Pffft. Cakewalk! lol. But yeah, I am also a big fan of the "IF it ain't broke don't fix it" school of thought.


Tod

[oldyam80sg]

I was lucky and cleaned mine a while ago and bike rides like a raped ape!I also put Berrymans Chem tool and sea foam occasionally in it to keep everything happy.Fuel filters don't hurt and feel like the gas at some stations is the culprit.Recently my ZRX started acting like crap-Filled it up in town and had trouble with the performance.Went to go remove tank and decided to put dry gas and Chem-tool in it.Think i got some water in the gas.On Saturday took it for a ride.Took 2 miles but finally the water must have passed through as now bike rides like it is brand new-and i never have removed the carbs.Curious as to what is in the carbs.

[stoked]

I don't know if it's just the fuel around here or not, but after a year, (I rode over 20k last year) I had a pretty significant quantity of red clay-looking material in the bowls of the carbs. It wouldn't have been long until the hole that draws fuel to the enrichener circuit jet would have been ingesting this.. whatever it was. If it was clay, which is one of the smallest particulate matters there is, it may have had no problems doing this.. but may have clogged them up.



Tod

I get the same stuff in mine in Tulsa. Looks like sediment. Even with inline filters. I clean mine often getting rid of this stuff thinking it's causing issues with my needle closing the fuel off. But just a couple of days ago while cleaning them cause I had a carb flooding I noticed one float seemed heavier than the others. I gave it a shake and sure enough it was filled half way with fuel. Replaced that float and bike is running better than ever. Probably won't be cleaning them so oftern now. I don't think that sediment is really causing me any issues. I just may drain the bowls once a month to get it out.

[Larrym]

Yep. Every 8 K sounds like a good idea if the bike/carbs are the original setup. (No in-line fuel filters.) The original bike's fuel system is nothing more than a series of screens: large ones on the tank petcock entries and almost microscopic ones on the individual carb float seats. The screens stop large flakes of rust/boogers but allow the fine sediment to pass through. Ends up in the bottom of the float bowls after it migrates past the screens.

Fuel Tees are also a collection point for this fine sediment. It just sits there until it gets dislodged and plugs up one of those micro screens on the carb float needle seat. Result is that sometimes one of the carbs is starved for fuel and the cylinder runs so lean that it overheats: burnt valves, etc. Nasty situation... but avoidable.

Installing in-line filters is a great way to reduce the frequency of carb cleanings. But then again, I replace the filters Yearly no matter what. I also drain the carbs every winter.

8K sounds right but IFF (If and only If...) you are working with the original factory fuel system with no inline filters...