Stripping the carbs down

[BigAl (Alan)]

Hi,  I will be stripping the carbs down before spring and would like anyones/knowledge experiance on how to clean them...can they be soaked?...type of solution, Last time I did this was 1986, so are there any other ways other than using gunk

Thanks Alan

[SteveD CB500K0]

I bought a gallon of cellulose thinners from Kempton Park Autojumble last year.

It's nasty but good on fuel varnish.

[Seamus]

Alan

Have a look at this  post (http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?topic=1955.0)

It may help.

Cheers

Seamus

[BigAl (Alan)]

Thanks for the reply, not sure about the 'coke'  method but will give it a try.

Alan

[SteveD CB500K0]

I guess you either go the "solvent route" or the "acid route"

For acid - Coke is about as cheap as it comes!

[Vince P]

I'm in the middle of doing this to my carbs and looking for a good solvent. I did however use Arm & Hammer baking soda mixed in warm water and a toothbrush to clean the floats. They turned out real nice. I will upload some pics when I get them off the camera.

[JonnyB]

I have 2 sets to clean this weekend one for the GS450 and one set for the CB250, I've found that any cheap degreasing solvent will do

[matthewmosse]

A can of spray carb cleaner can be good for jetting out the aiways and other drillings but wear gogles as this Really, I mean really stings if it gets in your eyes. Don't ask how I know this Silver hook stuff seems quite good and dirt cheap, also has a straw that helps direct it down drillings, where it shoots out from all kinds of unexpected angles, see why wear the gogles now? also try to do the job somewhere other than a loft with a rickety ladder as access in case the goggles fail to catch the overspray. 
It's not that bad a job and well worth it from a running the bike perspective.

[Dave M]

I can confirm that it really stings!

Trust me, wear some goggles.

[Vince P]

The bike had been parked for just over 10 years it started after some coaxing and I road her all summer last year. The carburetors were in some dire need of rebuilding and this was very evident when I cracked the throttle, a massive bog. When I took them apart it was apparent that the varnish from years of sitting was causing 1 and 4 to flood, 3 to simply spittle fuel, and 2 was running somewhat correctly.

I ordered kits from my local bike shop. Using carburetor spray cleaner, pure alcohol, various scrubbing brushes, tools, and a whole bunch of muscle; the final product was worth it.

I took extra care in adjusting the floats, chokes, and all settings. Let me tell you that they were off a ton. I applied lubricant to the throttle sections, and clear coated the chrome looking parts to keep the shine. I've ordered a set of gauges to synchronize them from the bike shop and will pick this up Saturday. Have a look at the pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35951245@N03/

[Seamus]

Nice job Vince. Those carbs look really good. A bit of inspiration for me to make mine look as clean.
Cheers

Seamus