Carb rubbers

[oldchuffer]

Probably been asked before but my carb to engine rubbers are rock hard. Is there a way to soften them up or is it a case of buying new ones? If so can anyone recommend a source?

[Bryanj]

Silvers sells sets

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

From my memory they are pretty firm anyway. I've seen a post about soaking them in  Evergreen oil  something  or other to soften them.

Amendment: Not Evergreen but Wintergreen as per later posts.

[mike the bike]

Warm them up with a hot air gun.  They get quite soft and rubbery.

[Lobo]

…just been through this whole exercise with ‘750 intake rubbers, one of which had become distorted in situ. Hot air, long soak in Wintergreen did soften them…. temporarily.
Given I had the bank of carbs out and the poor seal the distorted one was making, I just bit the bullet & bought a new set.
If you’re talking CB400F, good luck with getting the airbox back with any reluctant rubbery bits!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I agree fitting the 4 into 1 air box is far from easy when everything else is in place.
Having done this twice before my rebuild I found that assembly was much easier when the rear mudguard, wheel and battery box are not in place - then fitting the carbs, air box working backwards was far easier.

[oldchuffer]

Thanks for the tip Ted.