'85 vt500c cleaning carbs

[TheFreshman]

I'm cleaning the carbs on my bike (1985 vt500c) and figure it's best to replace the gaskets. Haven't opened the carbs yet, just got 'em off the bike today. The parts websites (like http://www.hondapartsnation.com/page...d/7/Honda.aspx) list what looks like the same gasket several times. Surely I'll need at least one gasket/carb. Which and how many should I get? They all look the same...

Also, what's the best way to dispose of old fuel that's been sitting in the tank over the winter? I figure I probably shouldn't dump it in a storm drain or in the lawn...

Thanks.

[still_bluenoser]

I've never replaced a gasket on one of these carbs. Pull them apart and clean them first.

The only thing that you may have to buy are float valve needles, and bowl gaskets.

[txironhead]

Just rebuilt my '83's carbs twice, the only thing I had to replace were the air/fuel mixture screw o-rings and spring seats (metal washers) and that was only because the previous owner screwed them up. And they're not even included in the rebuild kits!

To get them really clean, the air/fuel mixture screw is covered with an aluminum cap. It may have been already removed, may not. If not, carefully drill a small hole through the center of the cap, screw in a sheet metal screw, and yank the cap out. NOW you can get it completely clean.

You probably won't need to replace anything, but the most common things that need replacing are, as said, bowl gaskets and float needles. I'd recommend downloading the Factory Service Manual for the '83 VT500C, as the carbs should be the same, and the procedure for cleaning and adjustment is all laid out.

Oh, and I'll pass on this bit of advice I recently got: Polish the float needle seat with Brasso on the end of a Q-Tip chucked into a drill. Works great. Also, keep track of what jets go where, because one cylinder uses a different size jet than the other sometimes. Carefully inspect the vacuum slide diaphragm for pinholes. A lot of guys here recommend Pine Sol and water instead of carb cleaner, and one guy used an ultrasonic cleaner which got us all jealous. A set of welding tip cleaning brushes and some fishing line work great for cleaning those tiny openings without damaging the soft brass.

We really need a sticky here about rebuilding carbs.....

[still_bluenoser]

Originally Posted by txironhead

We really need a sticky here about rebuilding carbs.....

We need a tech tips section.

[TheFreshman]

In all the instructions for cleaning carbs (I have both a Clymer and Honda manual), it says I need a float gauge to ensure a proper float level. Any way to get one of those for less than the $50 or so they run for online? Or is there a different tool I can use? If I expected to do this every year and keep this bike for a long time I could probably justify the expense. But I plan on neither. Ideas?

[txironhead]

I've always just used a ruler, based on the height of the float above the base of the carb, these may be different. I knew I forgot to do something on those carbs......

[jmitchell99]

I have the float gauge, I got it off ebay, but it wasn't super useful or anything. Just use a ruler instead. The gauge is really nothing more then that. There is a gasket set you can buy for the carbs, I dont remember where, but somewhere on the parts page is like gasket set for carbs. You need two of them, one for each carbs. Comes with new seals for float bowls, screws, and new mesh filter for float valves. I think they run like 20$ a piece or somewhere around that. ( been a while).

Just be careful with the vacuum needle and rubber housing, you tear that and you are going to be looking around on ebay for a new one...

Hope that helps,
-J