Carb and brake overhaul - What do I NEED?

[forexbob]

So I'm going to clean the carbs and the front MC this weekend...that is *starting* this weekend.

I'm going to get Georgefix's MC kit but I'm not sure about what I really NEED as far as the carb kit goes.

It's still winter here and my money tree is still in hybernation.

Thanks
Bob

[DGXSER]

Hey Bob,

Well, if in fact you have the stock carbs for your 79, then all the parts you really NEED, are PB blaster or the like, carb cleaner, carb cleaner, small brushes, some small stiff wire, I like to use a small piece of wooden dowel to push the emulsion tube out, and oh did I mention carb cleaner??!!

Provided you go carefully, use the PB Blaster on everything before you try to remove it including all the jets, so you do not bugger them up getting them out, all of the jets and the mixing valve can be reused.

The only pieces that are often replaced and not a bad idea to do it no matter what they look like, is the float needle valve and maybe the seat.

Often I find the gasket even stays in one piece and can be re-used.

[forexbob]

Thanks DG. Good info.

But what about carb cleaner? Do I need it?

This will be my first carb, so I expect I'll be on here often with questions.

Bob

[natemoen]

Search for a thread by wildkat title carb cleaning 101. Good step by step breakdown with lots of pics.

[CatatonicBug]

Takes about 2 cans when I do it, but to be safe, have at least 3 on hand. Avoid the carb "dip" stuff, as you have to keep the butterfly shaft seals out of that stuff or they will be destroyed.

Take everything apart and take your time. Take a look at Carb Cleaning 101 to get an idea of what steps to take.

[DGXSER]

What I do, is to take all of the jets, emulsion tubes, screws, and float bowls (after removing the drain plug and its seal) and drop them in a one gallon can of Berrymans Carb dip. Leave them in for an hour or even over night. I do not put the carb bodys in the dip. I use a wire pulled out of a wire brush to clean the really small orifices and holes.

[jetmechmarty]

I've heard of folks buying a crock pot at the thrift store, and cooking the carbs in YAMAHA carb cleaner. I never tried it, but some swear by it.

For your brakes, you need rebuild kits for the calipers and the master cylinder. Take them apart, clean them with brake cleaner and reassemble with the new parts in the kits. It wouldn't hurt to replace the lines, but that's the part that will set you back a few bucks.

[cywelchjr]

I've heard of folks buying a crock pot at the thrift store, and cooking the carbs in YAMAHA carb cleaner. I never tried it, but some swear by it.

For your brakes, you need rebuild kits for the calipers and the master cylinder. Take them apart, clean them with brake cleaner and reassemble with the new parts in the kits. It wouldn't hurt to replace the lines, but that's the part that will set you back a few bucks.

The advantage of the yamaha stuff is that your supposed to be able to put the whole carb in there with the butterfly seals and all and it won't damage them but will clean out the passages. Don't ask me how it works, but it supposedly does.

[forexbob]

Yamaha carb cleaner

Does this mean I wouldn't have to take them apart?
The less work I have to do the fewer the chances that I'll screw something up!

[cywelchjr]

You will still need to pull everything you can apart at least as far as the jets and such. I'm not much of a believer in pulling the rack apart if you can avoid it, but you DO need to get the enrichment circuit apart so you can clean in there as well. But then again, I've been really lucky in that mine haven't needed that done what with being running perfectly when I got it, and being in constant service since, so I just run seafoam through it every couple of months to keep anything from building up.

[jwhughes3]

lemon juice

Seems to me I remember reading about someone dipping in hot lemon juice (Like REAL LEMON brand) and the carbs came out fantastic - has anyone used this method and is it safe for the seals too?

John

[Rasputin]

Went to the local yammy dealer here. I tried to buy the yamaha stuff to clean carbs here but they do not carry it and say they can't order it either. Told me that some stuff available in the states is not always accessible to them in Canada.

[forexbob]

Thanks for all the info.
Yes I did find "Carbs 101" and it is a great resource and the pics are fantastic. It's 1000 times better with pics (That is what they say, isn't it? They were right)

Finally got the carbs out. THAT was an ordeal! Can't wait till I get to put them back in again.

But now the real fun stuff. Tearing it all down and putting it back together again and hoping it works. I got ONE can of carb cleaner so apparently I'll have to get more.

I sure hope it warms here. It's not fun working with ice cold tools. Actually, on that note, can I/did I damage the rubber joints from the carbs to the engine, doing this in cold weather, i.e 0C/32F? I expect that it's not going to be hugely warm when I put these back in next week. Should I wait for warmer weather/warm them up with a hair dryer?

Side note: It is April, right? Then why do we have a "Winter Storm Warning in Effect"??????

Many thanks
Bob

[DGXSER]

As long as you loosened all the clamps, I do not think you hurt anything pulling the carbs. I find it helps to spray WD-40 on the intake boots when I install the carbs. When you go to pull the jets out, as I believe the 101 thread states, you want to make sure the tip of your screwdriver fits very well in the slot of the jets. I have a couple custom ground screw drivers for just that purpose.