Air Cleaner Box Carb Boots - How to change them??

[JoeF1953]

Have a 1981 Midnight Special. I need to change the airbox boots. I could sure use some advice on getting the old boots out and putting the new ones in. I couldn't find any video or instructions on the internet on how to do this. I sure don't want to tear anything up since any kind of part for this old of a bike is hard to find. Can anyone help advise me on what to do/not to do? I wish they were simply screwed in like the front boots, but they aren't....

[Larrym]

No instructions or videos? ( •_•)

Well... let's deal wit'it with pics here-and-NOW! (◕‿◕)



Turn the upper AirBox upside down on the bench and insert a flat blade screwdriver as shown.... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )

You'll need to work the blade around the boot same way as you would like your workin' a tire off a rim... (；☉_☉)

Specifically... try to ensure the flat of the screwdriver lands against the lip INSIDE the AirBox and NOT on the AirBox tube itself. (╯•﹏•╰)

JUST like working a tire off of a rim.... you CAN do it with one screwdriver but prob'ly be better/easier with two (2) so you don't LOse progress. (Θ︹Θ)

Here's what it lookey like out/off-



Each boot looks like it is installed with a little tab so it's oriented correctly. The "lips" at the mid section are NOT SQUARE (perpendicular...) to the tube/boot so it makes the correct angle between the AirBox and the actual carb bell/inlet. (☉_☉)

Ain't you glad that disassembling the whole AirBox isn't required? ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ"

[cajun31]

Have a 1981 Midnight Special. I need to change the airbox boots. I could sure use some advice on getting the old boots out and putting the new ones in. I couldn't find any video or instructions on the internet on how to do this. I sure don't want to tear anything up since any kind of part for this old of a bike is hard to find. Can anyone help advise me on what to do/not to do? I wish they were simply screwed in like the front boots, but they aren't....

Larry gave a good pictorial view of what you need to do. My question is what are you replacing them with? Working with those is easier if they are warm. The more pliable the easier they will be to work with. A hair dryer would be a good thing to use to warm them up a bit.

[JoeF1953]

Thank you both SOOOOO MUCH!!! Larry, I'm a very visual person and these pictures are worth their weight in gold to me!! Your instructions are clear and concise. I'm sure I can do this now. And yes, I'm glad I don't have to take the airbox apart...... I'd NEVER be able to get it back together again!! Jim, I'm replacing them with a set I just ordered from CMSNL. https://www.cmsnl.com/products/joint...-3_2h71445400/ They are supposed to fit my exact model of bike. And I'll for sure use a hair dryer. After I get the replacement boots, I hope you don't mind if I ask another question or two if I run into problems? IF I can remember, I'll follow up on this post with my success.... Joe

[cajun31]

I don't know what your final price was with shipping, but these are always available. YAMAHA XS1100 CARBURETOR AIR CLEANER BOX DUCT BOOTS 4 BOOTS 21-Y2H7INAB | eBay

[Larrym]

After I get the replacement boots, I hope you don't mind if I ask another question or two if I run into problems? IF I can remember, I'll follow up on this post with my success.... Joe

Cool.... (＾-＾)＿日

Just a heads up.... (O_o)

I showed a pic of the spare airbox(s) I own. As in... it was already off the bike. (¬‿¬)

Actually GETTING a connected/installed airbox off a bike is a whole different matter and one where more often than not... the impatient owner breaks it and/or BORKS up the same boots you are replacing. ( •_•)

The "usual" mistake is that the owner disconnects the airbox from the carbs and then tries to finagle/wrestle it out. (っ* ´□` )っ

CAN.........NOT...... be.......DONE!!! ᕕ( ཀ ʖ̯ ཀ)ᕗ

Right way?!-

Lower Airbox is removed...Upper Airbox is loosened.....Upper Airbox is pulled rearward...Upper Airbox is angled DOWN below carb inlet bells... carbs are removed...THEN Upper Airbox is pulled forwards and removed. (´◡`)

Key point- Carbs must be removed FIRST and then you have wiggle room to remove the upper Airbox. (^_^)

Sadly... I can't point you to a "good" video showing how this is all done. Most are shot with a camera on a tripod from one side OR someone holding a camera at a distance while the "technician" wrangles things around. （>﹏<）

This type of video needs to be shot from the POV of the eyes of the person doing the actual work so's we can SEE what they're seeing when they need to see it. (つ﹏⊂)

AFAIK... the only one here that even GOTs that type of camera is....ME. (*^‿^*)

I just ain't MADE that video.... yet. (－‸ ლ)