Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
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- Dr. Frankenstein
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:22 am
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I was out tinkering in the garage today and was looking at the carbs on Rusty, my '78 GL1000 - is there any way to drain the bowls without getting gas all over the place? I was thinking a little flat tray with a funneled corner that slid in under the drains would be nice to have so you could just drain them and recover the gas - although I guess just putting a shop towel down to soak it up would do too, but it would still go all over the place. Do you guys ever do this?
- ritalz
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- Location: St Louis, MO
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
Probably not the best way but I just let it flow. When it's done I spray the area with brake clean to keep the gas stains in check.
Al
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
- flyin900
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- Location: Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I usually fold the blue Scotts shop towels (paper) into a wad of 2-3 towels folded in half and drain the gas into those. They seem to mostly absorb and contain the gas from each set of 2 carbs on each side, then repeat on the other side.
I tried the thin trays etc and just too clumsy and you spill the gas when removing anyway. This has been the easiest method for me in the past few years. If the gas soaks through the wad of towels onto the engine block, a quick wipe with another towel cleans it up quickly.
I use a set of long needle nose pliers to pull and position the towels under the carb bowls, as it is a little tight under there.
I tried the thin trays etc and just too clumsy and you spill the gas when removing anyway. This has been the easiest method for me in the past few years. If the gas soaks through the wad of towels onto the engine block, a quick wipe with another towel cleans it up quickly.
I use a set of long needle nose pliers to pull and position the towels under the carb bowls, as it is a little tight under there.
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.
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.
- 5speed
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- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
Shut the petcock off, start the bike, go make a coffee and wait till it quits. It won't get all the gas but it will get most of it. Then do the towel under the bowl.
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)
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)
- Francis
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- flyin900
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I thought about this method too, yet the fuel pump will run dry a few minutes before the bowls empty and the bike quits. Since most of the pumps are older, how hard is it on the rubber diaphragm in the pump running it dry for a few minutes?
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.
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.
- Dr. Frankenstein
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:22 am
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
Francis - 'Form-A-Funnel"?? Do tell...
- pidjones
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
- Location: East TN
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I run mine with petcock off until they die, then drain the remainder into flat pans and suck that out with a syringe. Been doing it for years. Just takes about five cycles of the starter to get the bowls reflled come Spring.
"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
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
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5312
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I've done it on my 1100 since I bought it and it hasn't affected the pump yet. You could clamp off the fuel line between the pump and carb's..why I didn't think of that until now is beyond me.
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)
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)
- Francis
- Cast Iron Member
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:42 pm
- Location: Middle of Alberta
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I got mine at napa, it was a bit cheaper than amzon but , the link shows you pics and stuff. Oh, by the way, stay away from the knock off, they're junk compared to the real deal.
https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel-Flex ... TFIYE?th=1
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5312
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
I bought something like that designed specifically for my fj. It isn't moldable thoughFrancis wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:33 pmI got mine at napa, it was a bit cheaper than amzon but , the link shows you pics and stuff. Oh, by the way, stay away from the knock off, they're junk compared to the real deal.
https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel-Flex ... TFIYE?th=1
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)
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)
- Francis
- Cast Iron Member
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:42 pm
- Location: Middle of Alberta
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
@ 5speed
Them things are great, lawn mower, snow blower, generator, pretty well anything. Well worth the money!
I love mine! Especially for the GMC before I got this, the oil filter was a real pita, now ,no spillage
Them things are great, lawn mower, snow blower, generator, pretty well anything. Well worth the money!
I love mine! Especially for the GMC before I got this, the oil filter was a real pita, now ,no spillage
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5312
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
let me guess...5.3 ls engine?
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)
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)
- Francis
- Cast Iron Member
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:42 pm
- Location: Middle of Alberta
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5312
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?
the "engineer" that designed that block / oil pan needs to be keel hauled..
having said that..I watched an episode of engine masters last night and they ran 30 pounds of boost thru a junkyard 6 liter ls with a bone stock short block and made 1500+ horsepower.
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)
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)
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