Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

Discuss anything about other motorcycles, accessories, riding gear and other motorcycle related topics.

Moderators: Whiskerfish, ascot, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
Funkdoctor
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 9:57 am

Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#1

Post by Funkdoctor »

Ford Goff you guys have giving me the gumption to work on my bike myself. I wanted to see if anyone thanks a good idea to drain the floats and then use sea foam. Or If I should just pour it in with gasoline with the recommended 1 or 2 ounces through the tank? It’s been rough idling and running bad. Iowa bike 19k. If you have any good videos links please share.
User avatar
Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15457
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#2

Post by Rat »

Won't hurt .... just put some in the gas tank and go for a good ride .... the ride will do the most good but the Seafoam won't hurt as long as you don't overdo it ....

Gord crossy.gif
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
User avatar
flyin900
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:50 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#3

Post by flyin900 »

As noted it doesn’t hurt to try it and I would dose it heavier than a few ounces and use half a can in the full tank of gas. What it won’t do is clean dirty carbs where the jets are crudded up badly. If that is the case then you will more than likely have to pull and clean/rebuild the set.
Worth trying the Seafoam first and see how that works out for you. If you need the carbs cleaned then there are tutorials on here as a DIY, or there are a member or two that offer these services in the For Sale section here.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
User avatar
Earl43P
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 670
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:10 pm
Location: Farmington, PA

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#4

Post by Earl43P »

https://www.berrymanproducts.com/videos ... nt-test-3/

Too much Seafoam makes your exhaust smoke and smell. Too much B12 just burns and cleans, as designed.

I use 1/2 can of B12 once my petcock hits Reserve. Then I ride 5+ miles at various speeds/rpms. Then I refuel and add the other 1/2 can. I can tell when my Valkyrie needs dosed; idle rpm drops and “hunts” and takes longer cranking to fire up. (That bike often sits for 2-3 weeks while I ride the ST1300). It’s 6 carbs have never been touched in 84,000 miles, but I dose them at least 4 times a year. I ride it all year round.

Based on my usage, my opinion is that you CAN’T overdose B12 and it works great.

I use it in the ST1300 too, just to clean the injectors. I honestly can’t tell much if any difference, but consider it preventive maintenance.

I suggest a heavy B12 dose, ride it a bit, then drain the bowls looking for sediment. Ride it until that heavy dose is done, then continue with a moderate or recommended dose for several tanks. Good luck!
KTM390A “Hootinanny”
04 ST1300 DDDD (Double darksided daily driver) Sold 4/2022
93 GL1500I Double darksided and SOLD 3/29/20.
99 Valkyrie IS, Fast Black Double Darksided
"Fishtailed, flipped and flung me, but wearing it well". Sold!
82 GL1100 retired DD, needs work.... Sold 3/3/17
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#5

Post by pidjones »

I use engine chemicals according to manufacture instructions, because I figure they know the best use of their products. I have had to help recover from Seafoam over-use. But then, I'm no chemical engineer. I do find engine chemicals help if used according to instructions.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
ob1quixote
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Charleston SC

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#6

Post by ob1quixote »

I like Berrymans B12, but I do not like to leave it in the tank.
It is a very strong solvent and can mess up rubber bits.
Dont spill it on a painted surface!

I suggest running it from a half tank of fuel, running it until almost empty.
Refill the tank with gas and take a short ride to clear the bowls and mix up whatever B12 was left from the cleaning run.
1979 GL1000
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4077
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#7

Post by Lucien Harpress »

My boilerplate, personal-experience advice every time somebody brings up Seafoam:

Great product, just be SURE your gas tank is moderately clean.

Because Seafoam does it's job SO well, there's a VERY good chance of it knocking all that interior rust loose, and then your carbs will NEVER be clean.

(Learned that the hard way on my first bike.....)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#8

Post by ericheath »

I agree with Lucien from experience. When I first soaked parts in Berryman’s B12 cleaner, the rubber bits ballooned almost instantly. So I only use it on the metal bits. Having said that, it could actually be helpful in a bike that has sat dry for a period where the rubber has shrunk up, such as carb-to-plenum seals.

It works great to put on a q-tip and clean around carbs for show.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
User avatar
scootsx2
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2485
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:52 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#9

Post by scootsx2 »

Earl43P wrote:https://www.berrymanproducts.com/videos ... nt-test-3/

Too much Seafoam makes your exhaust smoke and smell.
I have used Berryman's a few times with my Vespa (lumpy idle) and with my CX500-based police trike (firing on one cylinder at startup after filling with apparently crappy gas). It worked as advertised. I generally stay away from fuel system "cleaners" although I do use Stabil Marine on a regular basis since I never know when my bikes may have an extended layup due to work interfering with riding.
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200

St. Louis, MO

The dude abides.

Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
User avatar
Mike-C
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2805
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:26 pm
Location: North Lancaster, Ontario, Canada

Re: Sea Foam for Carburetor Cleaning

#10

Post by Mike-C »

Gents;
I put Seafoam in my tank a couple of times a year, just for 'feel good' purposes. Bikes, cars, tractor etc. Only in gassers, my diesels get Diesel Kleene.
Mike Coleman
'84 Wing-Lite (ex-Aspencade)
'84 (un-Terstate)
'84 Standard (as yet un-named)
'96 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (The Vulcanator)
Mike Coleman
North Lancaster, Ontario
Canada
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “General Motorcycle Forum”