THE method to install the carbs/airbox on '81 GS1100e?

[Anonymous]

@#$%^&*()_

I'm either the dumbest schmuck on the planet or the engineer that drew the plans for the car/airbox setup has a twisted sense of humor!

I have new boots all around, and I'm having one heckuva hard time getting the carbs installed. Laugh and call me stupid, but please tell me step-by-step: what is the best proven method of installing the carbs.

EX.:
1. install box, without tightening screwings
2. install carbs (without manifold boots) with air box boots into airbox...
3. let carb hang down from airbox
4. install manifold boots on manifold
5. cuss
6. pull carbs back into airbox and up cuss into cuss manifold cuss boots
7. notice fuel line on garage floor
8. cuss

I've tried a couple of different ways, but the result is the same.... cussing.

Should I just put K&N pods on it and save the airbox?

[pano]

I have an 821100e. Before I put the pods on I used to do it this way , but it has been a while.

Remove seat and side covers
Remove the 4 tank bracket bolts
Prop tank up using plastic soda bottle
Remove air box
Remove carbs

Of course you need to disconnect the choke, throttle, fuel, and vac lines.

So when assembling, the carbs went in first then the air box. I would lube up the airbox ports where the carbs slid in. It took a bit of work. The tube of lube is long gone now.......... AS WELL AS THE @$#%^# AIRBOX

[Anonymous]

The tank and side covers are off the bike.

I haven't found a way to put the airbox on after the carbs are one...the botom of the frame is in the way.

[pano]

The 82 is different than the 81. Jethro has an 81 I think. On the 82 I would slip the airbox down from the top above where the battery is. It was a tight fit and a biache but I could get it in.

Not sure how the 81 is set up though

[Anonymous]

By "airbox", I mean the small box that accepts the 4 boots from the carb. This small box just slips onto a connector to the air filter box that's under the seat.

[pano]

The 81 must be set up differently than the 82. The 82 has 2 parts the carbs and the airbox. The airbox has four boots built into it that slips over the back of the carbs.

On the 82 the stock air filter fits inside the airbox.

[Anonymous]

I've tried a couple of different ways, but the result is the same.... cussing.

Should I just put K&N pods on it and save the airbox?

I can't help with the installation part, I took my carbs out once and then went and bought a set of pods. I am sure my neighbours heard the swearing long into the night when I pulled mine. I vote for pods and a no hassle installation/removal procedure...


Mark

[Anonymous]

Well, thanks for your attention.

On my original carbs, on of the float posts was glued together badlyand the float pivots cockeyed, but the bike ran fairly well, Then, another float got stuck, causing gas to stream out of the vent tubes and a coool blue flame to come out of the exhaust.... Deciding that my life was worth more than the thrill of riding a Malotov coctail, I bought a set of Mikuni carbs (from a Kawasaki 750) off Ebay and was going to switch out oal lthe needles/jets.

But, I wanted to just see how the bike ran with the Kawa carb settings. I got the carbs on except for the air boot from the #2 carb into the air box... it slipped off the carb during the cussing, and I couldn't get it on with everything in place.

The bike ran very lean (to and from my cigar shop), but surprising well. I took it off, cleaned the old carbs needles/jets and swapped them out, but can't get the !@#$% set back on -- my wife is laughing her butt off.

[pano]

Well, pull up a chair sit back, relax and have a cigar.

[Anonymous]

carb install

Hello, if you have the curve air boots that connect the manifold to the carb, I turn the boots so that curve or backside is pointed down and you see the opening of the boot is turned up. It gives you a little more clearence and as the carb is put into place turn the boots so the curve or backside is now on top. That works for me. I then slide the airbox onto the carb and tighten everything up. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

You have the airbox already on the bike, with the boots partially pushed inside the airbox holes? Then, after the manifold boots are rotated and the carb is slipped onto the manifold boots, you pull the airbox boots out and onto the air side of the carbs?

[Anonymous]

carb install

yes, the carbs slide in and out much easier with the manifold boots rotated. You have the rubber slightly curved manifold boots right?

[Jethro]

On the 81, I install the air box first and then the carbs. A heat gun and a can of WD40 helps. Heat up the boots real soft and then soak the whole area with the WD40. Then push the carbs right in from the side, then spend the next half hour fixing the deformed boots you have and getting them all to mount and seal well.

[Jethro]

Oh, big point of interest here, I don't actually mount the airbox as in attaching the screws, I just set it in there. That 1/2 inch of play makes all the difference.