Just Another Restore Thread...

[TopCatGr58]

What gave it away for you?

Hey Josh,

It's not just the thick aluminum covers. If you'll look at JetMechMarty's post #4, the photos, you'll notice that the top picture(79) has only 3 inlet bell round ports like yours, the 81(lower picture) has 4 small round inlet ports. There are other physical changes between the years, like the upper carb "T" fittings are VENTS, there aren't any upper "T" fittings on the 81's, the vent is built into the carb body hence the extra small round port in the inlet!

T.C.

[bikerphil]

Yup, what TC said. Also, the 79 carbs perform better, JMHO.

[TruthHammer]

Thanks, guys. I see it now.

Glad to hear I've got the better of the two, bikerphil!

[motoman]

What gave it away for you?

easy.......float bowls design with no nipple drains on them, and idle mixture screws protruding outside carbs and not recessed like on 80,81 and XJ's......ooppps, forgot, intake venturi side missing the additional vent hole not found on 80-XJ model carbs.....just from my memory,,,,or lack of.

[skids]

Make sure that the carb vent hoses connect to the nipples of the airbox and that the nipples are not plugged (as they were in 80 and 81). The carbs need to be vented somehow or they will flood.

[TruthHammer]

After a weekend where my entire household was sick, I'm finally going to get back to these carbs this weekend. I've got a friend who's going to loan me his ultrasonic cleaner. It's just a small, cheap Harbor Freight model, but what the heck... It's not costing me anything, so it's worth a try. Can anybody recommend a strong solvent that's safe for both the carbs and the cleaner? Something I can pick up in a store is preferred, since I'd really like to get it done this weekend.

Any other advice is appreciated as well.

[DiverRay]

Mix PINESOL, the real stuff, not a knockoff, 50/50 with distilled water. Works great and will not harm rubber or plastic parts. It's what I use in my cheap HF ultrasonic cleaner.

[TruthHammer]

After lots of stripped screws (I've got allen head replacements now) my carbs are in pieces, and ready to go into the bath tomorrow. The Pine-Sol's ready too. Thanks DiverRay!

Overall, they were much cleaner than I expected, but I do have a couple concerns.

First off, every o-ring was completely dissolved. I found little bits of them, but that's it. I'm assuming the PO put in the wrong ones and they couldn't stand up to the gas. In the interest of not making the same mistake, what do I need to look for for replacements?

Second, my valve needle situation. This is what I found, 1 through 4.

Should I replace the #1 to match the rest of the set? What kinds of problems if any could be caused by mixing them like this?

[motoman]

After lots of stripped screws (I've got allen head replacements now) my carbs are in pieces, and ready to go into the bath tomorrow. The Pine-Sol's ready too. Thanks DiverRay!

Overall, they were much cleaner than I expected, but I do have a couple concerns.

First off, every o-ring was completely dissolved. I found little bits of them, but that's it. I'm assuming the PO put in the wrong ones and they couldn't stand up to the gas. In the interest of not making the same mistake, what do I need to look for for replacements?

Second, my valve needle situation. This is what I found, 1 through 4.

Should I replace the #1 to match the rest of the set? What kinds of problems if any could be caused by mixing them like this?

Left needle is for the later carbs(80-XJ). Left one needs to be replaced with one identical of the other three. Use a Q-tip pinched in a dril, metal polish and polish lip of seats where needle rides and seals.

[skids]

If the left valve needle is from later carbs, someone has broken-off the "bail" that goes over the float tyne. Either way, get them right.

[motoman]

If the left valve needle is from later carbs, someone has broken-off the "bail" that goes over the float tyne. Either way, get them right.

.......or bike will NEVER run correctly.

[TruthHammer]

The other three needles look a little worn, and a couple gaskets are a little beat up, so I thought I might just spring for this 4 pack of rebuild kits...

My main concern with doing that it seems to imply 4 of the same kit, but like bikerphil pointed out, the emulsion tubes are different between the inside and outside carbs. Any thoughts on that?

A secondary concern is that it doesn't look like it includes the screen/filter that goes over the top of the needle valve assembly, and I can't seem to find one yet...

[bikerphil]

The only difference in the emulsion tubes is the number of air bleed holes. The center two have less holes to promote a slightly richer mixture in order to try to keep the center two cylinders cooler. Those kits you linked to may or may not work, who knows, there are a lot of inferior kits out there.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Truth,

Okay, that eBay kit part # is KY-0216, searched, found it's a Keyster brand carb kit which I think more popular in UK, but not sure??

We do know that the K&L kits are junk with regards to their jets and slide needles being the wrong gauges/metering openings, and the wrong taper on the slide needles. The float needles are also different/shorter than OEM and have weaker springs on the ends.

I haven't heard anyone talk about Keyster brand kits.

While doing the search for the above kit #, I also found this website and these kits which even come with the brass floats!! They are kits made in Taiwan, takes 2+ weeks delivery standard shipping! $70.00 for 4 kits/floats!
But again can't speak for their quality!?

http://daminedingmoto.com/4-x-carbur...s1100-xs1100s/



So, it looks like it might be a crap shoot with the kits you found on eBay as well as the Taiwanese ones I found VS Genuine Mikuni Jets/float needles/seats. YMMV.

T.C.

[donebysunday]

After lots of stripped screws (I've got allen head replacements now) my carbs are in pieces, and ready to go into the bath tomorrow. The Pine-Sol's ready too. Thanks DiverRay!

Overall, they were much cleaner than I expected, but I do have a couple concerns.

First off, every o-ring was completely dissolved. I found little bits of them, but that's it. I'm assuming the PO put in the wrong ones and they couldn't stand up to the gas. In the interest of not making the same mistake, what do I need to look for for replacements?

Second, my valve needle situation. This is what I found, 1 through 4.

Should I replace the #1 to match the rest of the set? What kinds of problems if any could be caused by mixing them like this?

I went through my parts and have 4 of the domed screen/filters and 1 seat. There are some parts that you can clean up and are better off for doing so. Check with us before spending your last dollar, (I remember the first bike I resurrected), I had more money in it than it was worth, by far. How many miles are on this bike ? That will tell us what is most likely worn and could need replacement.