Carb Bowl gaskets

[ARCHIVE_jaydog]

hole in spark plug cap?

The bike isn't pulling my arms off like it always does?It SOMTIMES it sputters and lacks power.My mechanic said it sounds like a plug cap is gummed up.A common problem with GPZ's and ZL's.He said to clean wires and cap with carb cleaner.Anyway's I spotted a little hole in the #4 plug cap.Will a new cap fix a problem like this?I would assume that it would.But I would like a little feedback.Thank you!

 

[Jarney]

Hello all,
I was wondering, has anyone replaced their carb bowl gaskets lately? I was just wondering on prices/places to buy them, etc. Bike bandit shows them for around $10 a piece. I was also wondering if these were supposed to be "shaped" or are they just like a standard o-ring. Reason I ask is I think mine have gotten a little stretched out or lost their shape. My bike usually runs a little rough at the beginning of every year - I can usually cure the problem by simply draining the carbs a few times and running her through her paces. But this year it's not clearing up like it has in the past. I only got 35 miles to the gallon off of the last tank - I can usually average 40 - 42. I noticed the last time I drained the carbs (using clear hose) that I could see air bubbles in the top of the hose on #1 and #2 carb - so I figured there was something in there bobbling around the drain screw causing the air bubbles. Decided to take the #1 carb bowl off (since it was easiest to get to). It was fairly clean to my surprise but putting it back on was one heck of a pain. Getting the gasket back down in the groove and staying there - even with a little dab of grease, while putting it back on the carb took me several attempts and about an hour of cussing. The gasket seemed almost too big - so I was considering buying a new set. My gasket seemed more like an o-ring as opposed to something that is "shaped" to fit in the groove. Can't remember the last time I had to take the carbs off the ol' girl so I don't remember what they are supposed to look like. Thanks for the help. Later.

 

[Yossarian]

They are shaped to fit the bowl. I got them as part of KL kit from an ebay merchant. Looking back through my e-mail, it looks like I paid $53 for the four carb kits. I did each carb separately. I would take the bowl off and clean the groove and the rest, then I placed the new bowl gasket in the groove and placed it on a very flat surface, upside down so the weight of the bowl held the gasket in the groove. It would sit like that while I fooled with the rest of the carb and until I was ready for it to go back on. It would stay in the groove for the few moments I needed to get it back flat on to the the carb. The carbs were off the bike when I did this. With them on the bike, it might be more difficult. The flat surface I used was a piece of particle board with a melamine surface.

 

[elimafreak]

I don't really know why this happens but I am currently going thru the re-jet process and every time I remove the bowls, the gasket seems to be too large. I found just letting them air out for a bit they will shrink back down. sometimes they shrink a little to much but a little grease will hold them in place. I think as long as the gasket still feels supple you should be okay.

 

[Jarney]

Ok, thanks guys, I just couldn't remember if the gaskets were "shaped" or more like a standard O-ring. Thanks again. Later.

 

[zlMark]

goergefix on ebay sells the aftermarket kits

 

[Jarney]

Thanks for the info Mark. I'll keep that in mind. I'm not in dire need of the gaskets right at this moment but I would like to have a set laying around for the next time the carbs come off. I haven't had the time or good enough weather yet to see if I got all the dirt out of the carbs and cured my rough running problem yet.

Is that the correct spelling for his username? Thanks. Later.

 

[zlMark]

lol,,,no

georgefix

 

[Jarney]

Here's why I was asking about the bowl gaskets. As you can see, mine were way out of shape. Later.

 

[zlMark]

Yea i can see why you wanted to replace them.

 

[Rocket]

Just to confirm the price, I paid AUD52.00for the four gaskets alone, but that was RRP at the dealers.

 

[Jarney]

I decided not to buy just the gaskets, so I bought 4 carb rebuild kits at about $22 each if I remember right - have to check the receipt to be sure. Later.

 

[wuputt]

Yup Jarney, thats what I paid for kits from georgefix two years ago! Well worth putting everything in while those carbs are off!

 

[Jarney]

I got mine from Donnelson Cycles - I thought the shipping might be a little quicker - didn't matter as it's been raining off and on for the past two weeks it seems........calling for more rain from Friday until next Monday too............yuck.......