Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

I want to remove, strip and clean the carbs on one of the bikes.

I have done a search, looked at a Haynes and read various pages on the interwebs.

Just wondering, apart from the basic tools for removing and stripping, do I really need to buy anything else? e.g. gaskets and such?

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

A multi sectioned box to keep all the bits separate for each carb (unless it's a single). be very careful you don't loose any bits - carbs have tiny o-rings and washers in them that easily dissapear if you, say, blast them out with compressed air before removing the pilot mixture oring :smt053

I never bother with new gaskets unless the old ones look knackered. Will depend upon whether they are rubber or paper too of course. Paper ones I would renew, rubber ones not so important unless they are flat. I usually soak the entire bank of carbs in parafin over night, then blast of with compressed air, then rinse in iso-propanol and blow dry again.

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

might have not been suggested to you. but buying a tin of brake/carb cleaner (alot of the companies that make chain lube and the such sell it) would probably make it easier for you, it really does make a difference and can remove oily gammy marks off of other metal on the bike. you can use as much as you like of it and dont need to worry about drying, it evaporates without leaving unwanted residues. you may not even have to take the carbs apart.

If you do take them apart make sure you remember where the needles were before. aswell as the air screw etc. cos if you put them back in wrong itl run like a 3 legged dog. if its not running right now and thats why your taking it appart, look on here about how they should be set up and copy it, id be willing to put excellent money that theres extensive threads on carb set up, jet choices etc

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

See if you can get a repair kit. This normally contains all the gaskets and o rings you need. Just make sure if there are jets in it that they are the same size as the UK market.

Don't forget, more than one carb will mean a balance of some kind.

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

Cheers guys.

Yep there's always cans of brake and carb cleaner in our garage

Thanks for the advice

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

I disagree with that. Unless you're seperating them there shouldn't be the need to balance them.

Throwing the parts in a pan of boiling water is a nice little trick for you. Also to make sure mine are completely devoid of water I put mine in front of a fan heater for a bit.

SOme people strip carbs and put them in the dishwasher.

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

Well, they'll get balanced just to make sure anyway when finished and refitted

Re: Carb cleaning - Yes I have searched, what do I need?
 

Hairy muff. Have fun! Another little tip is to give yourself plenty of time.