Carb insulators

Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum. I've had my '96 CB500 for about 4 years. It was in fairly good original condition when I bought it, but it's getting a bit rusty now, so I've dismantled it for a bit of a tart up. There seemed to be some kind of sealer or glue holding the carb insulators onto the air box - is this original, or has someone bodged it? If it's meant to be there, what should I use on reassembly ?

Many thanks, Alvi

Unfortunatly I can't tell you wether it is original or not, however, putting some kind of sealing around the carb rubbers isn't a bad idea.

I suspect that RTV silicone sealant would be a suitable, or, failing that, a fairly thick wrapping of PTFE plumbing tape might also help.

Good Luck!

If you're having trouble with the carb rubbers, heating them up with a hairdryer makes them a lot softer!

mikeyg143 wrote:If you're having trouble with the carb rubbers, heating them up with a hairdryer makes them a lot softer!

Agreed, either that or give them a quick boil in an old kettle, it works wonders!

If they're on the bike I don't reckon pouring boiling water all over it is a great idea, but yes definitely if they're off.

mikeyg143 wrote:If they're on the bike I don't reckon pouring boiling water all over it is a great idea, but yes definitely if they're off.

Oh you know what I meant
I did the same when I had a crash and the brass threaded stud came out of the indicator arm; boiled up the rubber to get it nice and pliable & pushed the stud back in.

Thanks guys. I'll go with the silicon I think. The hot water is a good tip too - hardest job dismantling the whole bike was getting the carbs out! Softening up the insulators has got to help put them back. I'm sure I'll have some more questions as I start putting it all back together!

Alvi

When I stripped mine down there didn't appear to be any kind of sealant present. I would be a little concerned that it would make it harder to remove the carbs next time and as mentioned it's not the easiest job anyway. I don't think it'll make or break anything either way.

I just used silicon grease when I put them on.

Just in from putting the carbs back on in the garage! I fitted the airbox (with rh panel that clips to frame removed) to the carbs first. With a bit of silicon grease on the insulators it all slid together nicely! Thanks for the advice. Just got to figure out where all the pipes go now!