Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#16

Post by Sidecar Bob »

FWIW, the day before I put Mr.H into storage I drained the tank and the next day I rolled it out of the garage, fired it up and drove it around the house to the storage shed in the back yard. Once in the shed I let it idle for a couple of minutes until the engine started to stumble, then opened the throttle to get it to burn what remained faster. When it stalled I stuffed a rag under the carbs on one side, opened the drain screws and while the remaining fuel dripped onto the rag I removed the battery. After that I closed the drains, moved the rag to the other side and repeated (this time taking the cover off of the air cleaner and putting a plastic bag across it and the cover back on (to discourage critters from taking up residence in the filter) while they drained.

I do that every year and while the rag always gets wet it is never dripping wet. It has become a bit of a tradition to burn the rag in the middle of the driveway when I'm done (it never lasts long).
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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flyin900
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#17

Post by flyin900 »

See I am not the only guy who uses “Pampers” as a drain medium…thanks Bob. I’ll have to try the “flaming undies trick” on the next batch :-D

Congrats on sidecar of the month. crossy.gif
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.
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5speed
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#18

Post by 5speed »

flyin900 wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:52 am See I am not the only guy who uses “Pampers” as a drain medium…thanks Bob. I’ll have to try the “flaming undies trick” on the next batch :-D

Congrats on sidecar of the month. crossy.gif
:lol:
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
julimike54
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#19

Post by julimike54 »

I've used aluminium foil before, just shape to fit....
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Sandy
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#20

Post by Sandy »

I cut the bottom of a plastic container to fit under the carbs then use a syringe to suck up the gas before it over flows over the edge of the tray.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#21

Post by Sidecar Bob »

flyin900 wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:52 am Congrats on sidecar of the month. crossy.gif
Thanks.

Pampers? I just use whatever rag is on the bench, preferably one that's about due to be replaced.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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flyin900
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#22

Post by flyin900 »

Sidecar Bob wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 5:47 pm
flyin900 wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:52 am Congrats on sidecar of the month. crossy.gif
Thanks.

Pampers? I just use whatever rag is on the bench, preferably one that's about due to be replaced.
I know just my silly sense of humour. :-D
Although, I am thinking the adult incontinent version ones maybe better than the Scott’s blue shop towels. Probably cheaper, as those Scotts ones are getting pricy these days.
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
Sidecar Bob
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 7631
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:14 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#23

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I keep a big box of worn out clothes in the shop. That's even cheaper.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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