Getting the "inner airbox" boot around the carb

[sam000lee]

Just replaced the intake boots, and i was making sure everything was sealed up well and was putting it all back together and noticed that there's another boot type thing that slides around the mouth of the airbox ports that meet the carbs. When I try to put the carb opening in it, they are getting pushed back into the airbox and I can't get a good seal and I've been trying to wiggle them in in various ways for about an hour and can't seem to get it.

Any tips on getting these back in nice and snug?

The bike is a 1981 gs450L.

[slayer61]

They are easier to install if warmed gently in water or with a hair dryer. This makes them more pliable. I also found a very little bit of lubricant helps. Good luck. Paul

[78550GS]

They are easier to install if warmed gently in water or with a hair dryer. This makes them more pliable. I also found a very little bit of lubricant helps. Good luck. Paul

Are we still talking about motorcycles here?


+1 on warming them up. Not sure on the lubricant thing as I have never tried it.

[sam000lee]

Okay thanks I'm going to give that a try. And are they supposed to go around the whole carb intake between the carb and the airbox or just sit and seal the mouth of the carb intake? -- if that makes sense

[Badooka]

Are we still talking about motorcycles here?


+1 on warming them up. Not sure on the lubricant thing as I have never tried it.

LOL- you forgot-
That's what she said

[Guest]

Is the retainer boot ring inside? There is a ring that locks the boot down to the air box.

[sam000lee]

Retainer boot ring? Is it in the airbox? I didn't see anything like that but are you saying that the inner boot thing can be locked in place?

[GSX1000E]

Retainer boot ring? Is it in the airbox? I didn't see anything like that but are you saying that the inner boot thing can be locked in place?

Not used in your model/year.
http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/...6e/air-cleaner

[koolaid_kid]

On parts #4 & #5, since there is no lock ring, there should be a lip that locks it into place in the airbox. It should lock in place, or it will just slip back into the airbox when you put pressure on it with the carb intake throat. Until you get it to lock into place, it will be useless to try to install the carbs. You "may" need new parts #4 & #5.

[Guest]

Not used in your model/year.
http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/...6e/air-cleaner

Well I'll be darned, guess not, my bad.

[sam000lee]

Well that was one of the most annoying things I've had to do lately!
Cleaned out my carbs again and then spent about two hours with my dad trying to get the carb mouths into those airbox boots. Neither was in fantastic shape but we ended up pulling the worse one out of the airbox, fitting it around the carb mouth and then shoving it back in getting a good seal.

Still have the same problem though - the bike started up and idled fine but after about 15 minutes of riding, started sputtering and eventually died. Had to walk it a mile home.

Any advice of where to look next? With the new intake boots and a good seal to the airbox, I wouldn't think whatever air leaks are left, if any, would be bad enough to completely kill the engine after it gets sufficiently warm. The right exhaust is still being loud so maybe that has something to do with it.