77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

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rockyhayes
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77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#1

Post by rockyhayes »

Hi All,

I shared my recent additions - Two 1977 GL1000s, plus a bunch of extra parts - on the intro thread. Thought I'd come over here to share a bit of progress, as I work to get both bikes up and running.

I knew I'd need to properly address the carbs as a first step on both of these bikes, due to neglect and improper storage treatment. I was told that one of them had recently had the carbs rebuilt by a local "expert" using Randakk's kit components. Seller said the bike was running poorly so he thought he'd get the carbs fixed up and see if that solved the problem. So, I took these carbs off first to see what might have been done incorrectly. Oh Boy...

The carbs had been butchered. Three of the float bowls were attached with oversized SAE screws. all of the jets were damaged - if not broken outright, several looked like they'd been extracted with a set of 10" vice grips! Two of the float hinge pin posts were broken off - and the guy had attempted a repair by forming new towers out of black SILICONE! The carbs had been soaked wholesale in carb dip - and only partially disassembled. I found fresh carb dip solution trapped inside several places. The throttle barely moved - evidently due to the felts being soaked with chemicals. On the other hand, I was able to save four brand new Honda needle and seats, with filters. They have the Keihin logo stamped on them so I know they are authentic. Also, looks like I may be able to reuse some of the new o-rings that were not contaminated. (Oddly, the guy did not use all of the kit o-rings - they were in one of the parts boxes still inside their little ziplock bags.)

So, I salvaged what I could - then held a quick memorial ceremony for these poor carbs that the "expert" had ruined.

I quickly moved to the spare parts shelf and grabbed a complete spare set of carbs that was included with the deal. I confirmed they were the correct version for 1977 - 764A. Then I cleaned off all the dirt, grease and grime from the outside, in prep for disassembly. This is when I noticed the idle adjustment screws all still had black plastic caps on them - that limited the travel (an emissions thing back in the day to prevent shade tree mechanics from messing with the setting). The closer I looked, the more they appeared utterly unmolested. None of the screws had been even minimally rounded out by use of the wrong Phillips, the secondary air hoses appeared to be OEM with the little wire clamps that have a curly q on the ends to pinch and release. The screws that held the plenum halves were still tightly set with factory lock tight - and were quite a challenge to remove. Even the brass float bowl drains looked like they had never been touched by a blade screwdriver.

What a shear pleasure this was - for me to be the first guy since 1977 to work on this carb set! Once inside, there was an incredible amount of black varnish. It appears the carbs were shelved full of gasoline, long since evaporated, leaving a glue-like tar everywhere. Brake cleaner melted most of this stuff pretty quickly. The only really stubborn components were the secondary jet tubes and the float bowl pins. But I was able to slowly and completely disassemble all four carbs without incident - using brake cleaner and PB Blaster in alternate rounds. I plan to proceed with the cleaning effort tomorrow. Then, unfortunately, I have to wait for Randakk to get kits back in stock. Still, this was real fun! Felt almost like being a kid again! I bet many of you can relate.

I am sorry I didn't take a single photo of this, I think I was just too much in shock to register that I ought to be capturing this for posterity...

Anyways, Be Well,
Rocky
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gltriker
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#2

Post by gltriker »

You are the fortunate one, Rocky! :oldies tumb2
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

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RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
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Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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pidjones
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#3

Post by pidjones »

No, I wouldn't know that elation as every set I've worked so far have been butchered. Last set had all but one of the 16 float bowl screws replaced with sheet metal, self-tapping or wood screws. The one correct screw was stripped. Save those bad units! You never know when there might be just the right part left for a future build. Add a #4 washer (not 4mm) under each needle and blue Locktite the grub screw 1/8 turn from tight to help the '77 off-idle problem.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
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1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
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1976 Yamaha RD400c
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Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
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low-side
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#4

Post by low-side »

Definitely save them - no matter the condition. There aren't going to be any new ones made. Good for spares or even rebuild with a bit of work. I know the feeling of the "virgin" carb set. I pulled some off of a 18K mile engine - no stripped heads or threads, no squished jets, no numbers hand etched in exterior surfaces. Just had to clean, replace gaskets and seals, and set float height. Like it should be.
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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#5

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

I'm a little late to the party here, but did they look like this...? These were on my red '75 when I first got it...
ImageDSCN1482 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

See all that black shiny stuff...? All of these carbs were sealed solid with old, dried gas - it looks wet, but it's actually hard; the carb floats etc. did not move At All!
ImageDSCN1480 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr
ImageDSCN1479 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr
ImageDSCN1484 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

Here's what I did - I propped up the carb body enough to get each side into a little plastic tub filled with carburetor parts cleaner right up to the brim - y'know, that big gallon can they sell in Advance Auto/Autozone...? I let 'em soak for a few days, they seemed to come out okay...you can see how dirty the fluid got as it dissolved/fell off...
ImageDSCN1499 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr
ImageDSCN1500 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

I don't have any pics of the finished product, but just like the bowl here, they cleaned/loosened up enough for me to get everything apart and put in a new carb kit.
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rcmatt007
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#6

Post by rcmatt007 »

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fortunately the ebay '77 carb set in in great shape, except one idle screw was missing (and an OEM bag was in the plenum with the screw set
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
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5speed
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Re: 77 Carb Set - Opened for first time!

#7

Post by 5speed »

Dr. Frankenstein wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:53 am I'm a little late to the party here, but did they look like this...? These were on my red '75 when I first got it...

I don't have any pics of the finished product, but just like the bowl here, they cleaned/loosened up enough for me to get everything apart and put in a new carb kit.
:shock:
and I thought mine off my 76 were bad..
I lucked out. None of the float towers were broke, all the jets came out in one piece and they all had oem screws.
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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)
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