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HOW DO I INSTALL MY CARBS???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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hey guys,

where can i find a link to teach or help me put my mikuni carbs on??? i just got a used and fully restored set of mikuni carbs for my 1980 GS 550. They are sweet and in top shape, but i have never put on carbs before. what do i need to do to prep them before putting them on and following that, how do i install them???

Thanx
 
A case of beer.... Oh, and brush up on the swear word vocabulary. :lol:


The 550's carbs are a bear to put on. The few tips I have are to use some type of lube on the boots (silicone or even vaseline). And make sure to hook up the throttle cable before pushing the carbs onto the boots. Having someone who can lend an extra pair of hands is helpful too.


Good luck....
 
And some guys report that heating up the intake manifolds and airbox boots with a hair dryer or heat gun softens the rubber and makes it more pliable. But no matter what this job is a total b_tch. Have some beer nearby and try not to sweat it. A rubber mallet for some carefully applied persuasion can help too. Clymer's recommends pointing the engine side of the carbs down first, once they're aligned on center with the intakes, and then lifting that end up while pushing the air box side down. Didn't seem to help much for me and my 1980 GS 550E. I think pre-softening the manifolds and boots is the best bet, and using some lube. Has anyone ever tried K-Y jelly?
 
Pete's GS said:
I think pre-softening the manifolds and boots is the best bet, and using some lube. Has anyone ever tried K-Y jelly?
Click to expand...

Did you hear about the new flavoured K-Y?

It really does help to have someone available, but if not get some silcone lubrication making sure not to get any on your hands or the carbs will be slipping like a greased up like a Greek oil wrestler. When installing, slide them in thru the left hand side attaching the throttle cable before getting them in place. Make sure that no hoses or cables run thru the two cabs connecting bars.
 
I took the chicken way out. I gassed the airbox and switched to pods. Now there isn't any of that pesky airbox in the way! :wink:
 
They are a pain in the @ss. However, I found it easiest on the '77 550 if you pull the airbox all the way back, finagle the carbs into the hole in between the airbox and the engine. Get the carbs into the airbox boots, and then push them into the engine intake boots (taking the airbox forward with them. Make sure you have your airbox boots set up right, the outer ones have a curve to them so that there's a proper seal.

Do get ready to swear though! :)

Satch
 
mcycle-nut said:
I took the chicken way out. I gassed the airbox and switched to pods. Now there isn't any of that pesky airbox in the way! :wink:
Click to expand...

Just did this myself... I had run out of swear words, and thus could not continue attempting the install. Pulled the airbox and bought a set of pods.

See my post about pods in here.
 
I have a mechanic that comes to my place. He's here now. He pulled the airbox FIRST, then the carbs.

When it was time to put it all back he installed the carbs first then the airbox.

With me watching I'd say it took him a total of 4 minutes to have the carb rack bolted back up and the airbox back on.

Seems like that may be the trick.
 
Interesting

Interesting

I've been interested in all of your thoughts......and absolutely dread the day I have to take off and put on my carbs again. It's one of the most difficult jobs I've ever done and I can't remember when I've cussed so much. :evil:

I asked 2 mechanics at a bike shop what the secret is to getting them back on.....they looked at each other and one of them said "There ain't one!" :roll:
 
THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS!!!

THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS!!!

THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS FOR THE INFO!!! I WILL ATTEMPT MY INSTALLATION ON SUNDAY! Hmmm..... maybe i should do it on saturday since i assume, from what you all have told me, i will be cussing a lot!! :wink: just a thought.
 
Re: THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS!!!

Re: THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS!!!

GS550 E said:
THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS FOR THE INFO!!! I WILL ATTEMPT MY INSTALLATION ON SUNDAY! Hmmm..... maybe i should do it on saturday since i assume, from what you all have told me, i will be cussing a lot!! :wink: just a thought.
Click to expand...

Go look up some German epithets. German is strangely satisfying to curse in....
 
there is a secret....do it alot. it becomes easier the more you do it. i think i've done mine maybe about 6-8 times in the last week and i'm still not done, its a bitch but i change something everytime and have to put 'em back in to see if they work. i can do it in under 15mins now. its pretty nice.
 
The tip about airbox first is absolutely true - at least for my 1000. I can have the carbs out or back in in less than 5 minutes by (summarizing what others here have so wisely posted, and vouching from experience):

1. Taking out the airbox first, and installing it last, and independantly of the carbs.
2. Making sure all cables and hoses are out of the way when installing either carbs or airbox.
3. USING SOME LUBE on your boots, and gently (as much so as possible, anyhow..) push on the carbs or you'll push your bike right off the centerstand trying to get them in ..
4. Install/remove your throttle cable while the carbs are not attached to the engine.. It's SO much easier.

Good luck!
 
my airbox does not remove without removing the carbs first, it hits the frame right behind it as I realized last time I pulled my carbs *L*

anyway I do as satchmo said. last time I pulled them out I was dreading putting them back in, then they just slipped in and I just sat there stunned that I had them back in the bike ready to tighten clamps and attach cables within seconds of sitting down next to bike with carbs. and yes you read right, I install the choke and throttle cable on my 650 once the carbs are in, I dont find it hard to do it this way but it is annoying trying to deal with the cables while putting the carbs in if they are installed already.
 
I just got my carbs back on today. '78 GS1000C. I too could not remove the airbox with the carbs on the bike. It is stuck in the frame. Maybe I missed something.

I replaced my intake boots with new ones. The old ones were brittle and were causing me too much grief so I broke down and paid $22 each for new ones. Made the process much easier, but still not easy. I slid (crammed?) the carbs in from the right side of the bike. Left side didn't seem to work as well on this bike due to the throttle bracketry. I also attached the throttle cables last, wasn't bad.

Be sure to check your intake o-rings before you put the carbs on!!!!
 
G Scott said:
I just got my carbs back on today. '78 GS1000C. I too could not remove the airbox with the carbs on the bike. It is stuck in the frame. Maybe I missed something.

I replaced my intake boots with new ones. The old ones were brittle and were causing me too much grief so I broke down and paid $22 each for new ones. Made the process much easier, but still not easy. I slid (crammed?) the carbs in from the right side of the bike. Left side didn't seem to work as well on this bike due to the throttle bracketry. I also attached the throttle cables last, wasn't bad.

Be sure to check your intake o-rings before you put the carbs on!!!!
Click to expand...


on a gs 1000 you just loosen the air box this will give you a bit of room. the box will slide back about 1/2 inch. this will give you a bit of room to work with.
 
Air box

Air box

Having the air box slide back a 1/2 inch is slightly helpful but if it slid back 1 inch it would reduce the "swear factor" by about 70%. :x
 
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