carb diaphragms

[swb1100]

I bought new diaphragms and trying to install them...how do I separate the plastic rings that hold the diaphragm in place

[Ivan]

I have never replaced mine, but there was a fairly good write up on it at venturerider.org. They didn't pull the rings, but just worked the new diaphragms in place.

Try this

[Ken Talbot]

I've pondered this a few times over the years, but never figured it out until tonight. Let's start with a photo:



You see these little tabs that look like they are locking the two plastic rings tgether. Early carbs have three tabs, later carbs have four. I thought I would try drilling one out to see it that let the bottom ring start sliding down the slide. Turned out that was not the case. When I got a bit aggressive with my favourite pry tool (1/4" chisel), here's what happened.



Oops! But, all is not lost. Now we can see clearly that the bottom ring is never going to slide down - it is sitting in a groove.



But at least now we can see how the diaphragm simply pulls out from beween the two plastic rings once you create a bit of space. These wooden craft sticks are perfect for wedging the rings apart enough to create enough room to peel the diaphragm out.







This shot shows the ring configuration a bit better. You can see that the bottom ring actually has the diaphragm groove in it, and it wraps right around on top of the diaphragm. The top ring is locked onto the top of the bottom ring, above the retaining groove.



This means that when you want to install new diaphragms, you just stretch them over the groove, paying close attention to the position of the alignment tab, then start opening up the groove with your favourite pry tool, and use a craft stick to shove the o-ring inner edge of the diaphragm into the groove.





Piece of cake, eh?

[DGXSER]

Very nice and great info there Ken!!

The tab alignment is to get the through hol ein thebottom of the slide at the rear or engine side of the carb correct?

[petejw]

I did a small write up with pics before, ill try and find it,
here it is.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21345

its pretty easy to do,
and theres no real risk of tearing the diaphram.

[foreda]

Hole on the bottom of the slide

Don't forget to ensure the hole on the bottom of the slide is lined up properly if I remember correctly it needs to face the carb intake boots.

[jmnjrpa]

This drives me nuts.

My hat's off to you guys but, the plastic has to have a method of seperation unless the two pieces were bonded after installing the diaphram. I am leaning toward threaded together. The reason I say this is because you cannot manufacture the plastic ring in one piece. Trust me on this one as I spent 5 years in plastics molding. Unless the pieces are bonded (super glue) the most likely method is threaded. I have a set and will attempt to dismantle them tonight. I believe they used a spanner wrench on the lugs. Will report my findings.

[TomRodgers]

I love it when i brake things. It gives me such pleasure. At least with the preliminary work, and the soon to come findings, it will make it much easier for the rest of us. No need for everyone to suffer!!!! Thanks guys!!

[Ken Talbot]

I did a small write up with pics before, ill try and find it,
here it is.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21345

its pretty easy to do,
and theres no real risk of tearing the diaphram.

I was sure there was a post somewhere with this procedure, but do you think I could find it!

[Ken Talbot]

The tab alignment is to get the through hole in the bottom of the slide at the rear or engine side of the carb correct?

Correct...

[petejw]

The top plastic ring, sits over the slide,
the slide is then peened over holding the top ring in place.
Theres nothing on there that is threaded or bonded.

[cywelchjr]

The set I put on my 400 (uses the same slides and diaphragms), instructed to split the upper ring in two pieces and then superglue it back together. I split the bottom one and didn't glue them and they have held up so far for over 6000 miles without so much as moving (that's how tight they are). I think that splitting the top would actually work better, but with either one you put less stretching on the new rubber when installing them by splitting the ring.

[jmnjrpa]

Pete,

That makes sense. I knew they had to have been manufactured in 2 pieces.