a couple carb questions

[tcoop]

You do need to get the front bracket above where it mounts to the frame. Much easier with out the carbs in place but still can be done. There are two bolts that mount to the sides of the airbox also (sounds like they are already removed).

[Bonz]

DeanR,

Is the bottom half of the airbox removed? Just trying to get caught up on what is done so far.

Yeah, don't touch the screws holding the airbox to the bracket, but it's the bolts holding the bracket to the bike that get removed and allow sliding the airbox attached to the bracket rearward. Snorkel can be manipulated, removed or shortened to allow easier sliding rearward.

[DeanR]

Well, just took the carbs back off to position the airbox bracket properly (above the frame tab). Now there is not enough room between all 8 boots to even slide the carb bank back in.

Previously, with the carb boots connected, the air box boots just missed being able to connect up by 1/2 inch at the most. Barely too low.

I need the secret!

Yes the bottom is off and everything is free.

[Bonz]

Yeah, someone help him! I can't visualize the issue he is having, other than it must be frustrating!

[tcoop]

Here is a video of installing the carbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwfALaur7Zw

[motoman]

Airbox is completely loose. It will just not move up above its mounting point of the frame..

What bolts? I'm not touching the screws that hold the bracket on.

Hi Dean, the airbox boots rotate to get the four carb alignment correct. They are ever-so-slightly angled.

[DeanR]

Time to walk away again...This is ridiculous.
The first minute of that video is the problem. I'm sure his bike and mine are built the same, but I don't seem to have near the same room to work between the two sets of boots that he does. He easily inserts the carb bank from the left (I did that, but surely not that easily) then lowers the carbs into the airbox boots. Unless I'm missing something, mine will not do that.

Other various orders of doing things have also failed to work.

[motoman]

Time to walk away again...This is ridiculous.
The first minute of that video is the problem. I'm sure his bike and mine are built the same, but I don't seem to have near the same room to work between the two sets of boots that he does. He easily inserts the carb bank from the left (I did that, but surely not that easily) then lowers the carbs into the airbox boots. Unless I'm missing something, mine will not do that.

Other various orders of doing things have also failed to work.

Carbs in from left side......check.
Part way in with carb bank, with other hand hook up throttle cable......check.

At this point, UPPER portion of airbox should ALREADY be resting on engine case(airbox boots below carb venturis.
Spray silicone inside airbox boots, lift airbox up, pulling lips of boots past carb venturis(may have to rotate boots abit) Catch bottom of boot lips on carb venturis then rock up and down while forcing airbox on venturis.

Word of caution.....keep right leg in FRONT of footpeg while forcing forward on airbox. You can see what this can lead to if not! Trying to catch a 680lb.full dresser as it unintentionly rocks off centerstand.......we'll just say it wins.

[DiverRay]

Did you lube up the inside of the rubber tubes on the air box? Also, I usually end up bending the bracket that goes over the frame a little to get some wiggle room. Oh, and you do have JUST THE TOP of the air box installed! it will NOT work well if the air box has the filter and lower cover installed.

[DeanR]

Here's some pictures. In all of them, there is no wiggle room at all to work with for getting all the boots hooked up. The problem is...no space to maneuver the carbs.

[DiverRay]

Dean,
Starting with the top photo:
Install the carbs into the holders on the head. Make SURE all 4 are FULLY inserted.
squirt silicon lube into the 4 air box boots
grab the brass colored mount on top of the air box, and pull it back, collapsing the air snorkel against the battery. Keep the bottom rear of the air box close to the engine, so the brass mount is BELOW the mount tab.
You should now have the room needed to install the boots on the rear of the carbs.
Tighten all 8 clamps, and THEN use a large flat pry bar or screw driver to pry the mount back over the top of the tab on the frame.
Let us know....

[motoman]

My top bracket is bent down out of way, so not an issue.

Just DO NOT remove scews holding bracket to airbox, or you'll be spending some time re-assembling the inards.

[DeanR]

Dean,
Starting with the top photo:
Install the carbs into the holders on the head. Make SURE all 4 are FULLY inserted.
squirt silicon lube into the 4 air box boots
grab the brass colored mount on top of the air box, and pull it back, collapsing the air snorkel against the battery. Keep the bottom rear of the air box close to the engine, so the brass mount is BELOW the mount tab.
You should now have the room needed to install the boots on the rear of the carbs.
Tighten all 8 clamps, and THEN use a large flat pry bar or screw driver to pry the mount back over the top of the tab on the frame.
Let us know....

Ray, old buddy old pal! (I don't know Ray by the way), you nailed it. This picture is more or less where I was at with my first post about this problem. Squishing the snorkel was the tip I needed to get the final bit of travel to attach the airbox boots.
The second tip I needed was to manhandle the brass bracket with a big screwdriver, after tightening all the boots, to get that bracket above the frame tab where it is supposed to be. (the actual original problem)
Piss poor design.

Thanks everyone. My carbs are not coming off again any time soon.

[IanDMacDonald]

I ended-up removing my top brackets, and putting RTV and duct tape over those holes. The side mounts secure the box well enough in my view. Those brackets were a pain.

[BA80]

That top bracket is easily pried over it's mount so the air box can be pushed down for carb removal, then back over the mount to be reinstalled. Done it a hundred times.