How far should the carb boots / hoses recess into the airbox?

[Guest]

Been fighting with the airbox all day, trying to reinstall. I've read the forums and tried most of the tricks and methods. Can't seem to see a clear answer to this question, but I suspect I know the answer. The hoses have a series of grooves. Should they recess into the airbox like the photo on the left, further in? Or the photo on the right, with 1 groove out (which seems loose.)

Related - the boots are labeled L and R. Do they need to be rotated in a certain direction once installed? Like should L and R be on top? I can't see that it matters a lot.

Thanks

[1978GS750E]

They should be installed like the picture on the right. I don't think the rotation matters.

[Steve]

Agree, the right-side picture is correct.

As for rotation, on some bikes it makes a difference, others, it does not.

Look on the airbox, probably at the bottom of the hole. Do you see two small dots or dimples?
Look on the tubes. Do you see a dimple on one of the flanges? HINT: if the tube is mounted as in the left picture, the dimple would be hidden.
Align the dimples, if you have them.

.

[rphillips]

Yes, the L &R should be straight up, but that's for the boots between the carbs to the head. Honestly I don't remember the L & R on those connecting the air box. Hey, They are a pain in the burt ain't they? Good luck

[Dan]

Helpful as always. Thanks guys. That extra 1/4" or so will help. Was having trouble getting the boots to slide onto the carbs and still have the mounting brackets line up.

[Dan]

Follow up for the next guy dealing with airbox boot installation that might find this thread...what worked for me. Your mileage may vary. Bottom line, it was easier for me to move the airbox on to solidly mounted boots rather than getting boots onto the carbs after the box was mounted.

In addition to the notes above...
• Carbs on first, installed with clamps snug, but not all the way tight in case you have to jiggle them around a bit.
• Airbox boots loosely inserted in airbox holes about halfway.
• Airbox with loose boots slid roughly into position behind carbs. I used a block of wood to hold the airbox up while I...
• Attach carb-side of boots to carbs using clamps.
• Then I slid the airbox up and forward on to the now carb-mounted boots and, with a bit of jiggling, the airbox popped into the correct position on each boot.
• Attach the airbox mounting screws that hold the airbox up.
• Tighten up the carb clamps.

[Wingsconsin]

Sorry the sound is so poor -

But this may help...some ..?

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