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Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 2:17 pm
by MattMcCoy
I have two racks of carbs (48A & 48C). It’s been my understanding that the 80/81 carburetors have pressed-in idle jets, while the 82/83 have screw-in idle jets. However, at a quick glance, it appears that the 48A and 48C carbs on my bench both have screw-in jets. Also, from what I gather here and elsewhere, all original 1100 carbs were all jetted the same, including the one-off ‘83 Aspencade. Do I have this right? What about 48B — were there any differences?
Thanks.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 5:00 pm
by MattMcCoy
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:31 am
by Whiskerfish
Unfortunately I am not a 1100 carb guy. I think I have one rack in the garage somewhere that came on a bike but otherwise I have never worked on one. Hopefully someone will chime in with some answers to you inquiries.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 2:30 pm
by MattMcCoy
Thanks for the reply. I get the impression that the Internet has come to an understanding on the 1000 carbs and would imagine that’s the same case with with the 1100 sets too. I’ve rebuilt a 48C and have two more sets (48A/48C) and can’t spot any differences. From reading, the 80/81 has pressed-in jets, but don’t know how those are designated on the carb bodies. I reckon there’s a 48B as well?
Thanks again.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:50 pm
by Track T 2411
- 16104118058275616076875846385774.jpg (151.74 KiB) Viewed 536 times
This is a jet from a 48C carb that was on my '81. The middle shiny ring is where it seats in the carb body. I can't really tell much difference between the bore of the 48C and the 48A, and I couldn't find the screw- in jet from the 48A in my carb parts stash right off hand to do a side- by- side comparison. Maybe I'll dig some more tomorrow...
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:12 pm
by MattMcCoy
Strange. I have 48C on my ‘83 Aspencade and it has screw-in jets.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:23 pm
by Track T 2411
MattMcCoy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:12 pm
Strange. I have 48C on my ‘83 Aspencade and it has screw-in jets.
Are you sure you're not mixing up the letters? 48C is '80-81, 48A is '82-83, IIRC...
FWIW, the 48C carb body does 'look' like one could tap the tower to accept a threaded jet, but that's just a quick eyeball measurement, lol. It does make me curious...
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:01 pm
by MattMcCoy
The first photo is the set on my ‘83 Aspencade, which has a threaded idle jet. I believe they are the original set and had never been opened before I rebuilt them. The red arrow points to the letter A, but you might be able to make out that 48C is stamped on the body as well.
- ‘83 GL1100A carbs
- D0E012FE-C3B9-4DF9-928C-77FBF0641EC1.jpeg (54.15 KiB) Viewed 505 times
In the second photo, I’ve marked where I might be getting confused. Again, the red arrow points to the stamped A, but the yellow one points to 48A. The idle jet is threaded on this set as well.
- Unknown year GL1100 carbs
- C0A3519E-2D1C-4774-A66A-AD383F3D447C.jpeg (186.02 KiB) Viewed 505 times
All three sets I have are stamped with A, but two begin with 48C and one begins with 48A. Does that make sense?
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:02 am
by MattMcCoy
The ‘80/‘81 Gl1100 carbs are stamped with VB48A [A]. The letter in the bracket indicates what factory they came out of, which would be Ohio in this case.
- 80/81 GL1100 carbs VB48A [A]
- 2BE41463-440C-404C-A94A-A0A84003C81C.jpeg (215.11 KiB) Viewed 493 times
The ‘83 GL1100 carbs will be stamped with VB48C [A].
- ‘83 GL1100 carbs VB48C [A]
- C645C9B5-500C-4C3D-807B-5B503750C6AD.jpeg (114.93 KiB) Viewed 493 times
While it would appear that the 48A set came from an 80/81, it doesn’t explain why it has a screw-in idle jet.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:32 am
by redglbx
80-81 carbs are the 48 A’s,,, 82-83 use the 48 C’s ,,, the A’s have press-in jets, the C’s use screw in jets. Easy-peasy !
I personally would not mix carbs because there are usually things different that may not be obvious, like the 48c’s that I have on my 76 have coated slides (black, probably moly) that are supposed to help keep them from sticking, but I have another set of 48c’s that the slides are not coated. I would never mix & match different number carbs, it’s just a bad idea.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:58 am
by MattMcCoy
redglbx wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:32 am
80-81 carbs are the 48 A’s,,, 82-83 use the 48 C’s ,,, the A’s have press-in jets, the C’s use screw in jets. Easy-peasy !
I personally would not mix carbs because there are usually things different that may not be obvious, like the 48c’s that I have on my 76 have coated slides (black, probably moly) that are supposed to help keep them from sticking, but I have another set of 48c’s that the slides are not coated. I would never mix & match different number carbs, it’s just a bad idea.
Thanks for the reply. I think I have it sorted out. The mystery is why the 48A carbs on my bench have screw-in jets instead of pressed. I suppose someone could have tapped it and replaced the jet, but they didn’t appear to have ever been opened.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:13 am
by Old Fogey
I've had 48As with screw in jets too, although most are pressed in. Oddly, in all the 1100 carbs I've done I've not had a set of 48C in. So, no-one is mentioning the 49A with pressed in jets, two sets of which I have but don't know which model they come off.
Re: Differences in GL1100 Carb Models
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 11:51 am
by MattMcCoy
Old Fogey wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:13 am
I've had 48As with screw in jets too, although most are pressed in. Oddly, in all the 1100 carbs I've done I've not had a set of 48C in. So, no-one is mentioning the 49A with pressed in jets, two sets of which I have but don't know which model they come off.
Interesting — thanks for the info.