Installing carbs - Bitch of a job!

[kiwiz]

Guys,
I was wondering if there were any tricks in installing the standard rack of carbs for Z1000J. Whilst I seem to be able to insert them okay into the inlet rubbers, the rubbers between the carbs and the airbox seem a bitch to fit. I have tried softening them with a hot air gun but by the time I get to the third or fourth they have cooled back to their original rigid state.

Whilst inserting the rack they seemed to get badly scrunched up with one usually being pushed into the airbox. I seem to be having a lot of difficulty in getting the the airbox rubber mouths wide enough to pull over the carb ends.

After about 2 hours on this I am was getting pretty fed up with the process and in terror of tearing a hole in the rubber walls using sharp instruments to get them on . Any ideas?

Failing that some after market pod filters seem less hassle to fit, Any recommendations?

[london calling]

If your air-box rubbers have gone hard then you'll need to get a new set.
Push the new air-box rubbers into the air box but not completely and be aware that they need to be rotated beforehand into the correct position.
Then push the bank of carbs onto the inlet rubbers,then push the air box rubbers onto the carbs.This last bit is the awkward bit but just be patient and you'll get there.
You'll be amazed how easy it is with new air-box rubbers. :

[mikey]

The only thing i found that helps is a smear of grease inside the lip of the rubbers and patience, the real problem is the rubbers just get hard with age, just got a new set for my Z1000A2 and they are very soft and supple.

[chrisNI]

Complete bastard of a job - I struggled with the 1000R earlier this year with the rubbers in a bowl of hot water and then trying to work fast but it wasn't much help. Got them on eventually. As Jack says new rubbers might help must try and get some even though it'll be a while before I 'll be pulling the bugger apart again as it's in the queue for rebuilding now.

[kiwiz]

Guys,

thanks for your comments.

looks like we have all suffered the same fate. Mine are of course the originals and seem like stone when cold. When hot the seem quite supple but dont stay that way long. Maybe If I could get my hand inside the airbox. Wife again. "darling would you like some quality time in the garage???"

Has anyone got any views about replacing them with aftermarket and the relative cost of getting new OEM rubbers versus some aftermarket pod type? certainly the pod type seem easier to fit and my machine is hardly concurs.

[london calling]

Kiwiz new air box rubbers from Z-POWER are less than ?10 each,(sorry i can't remember the exact price) and make the job much easier.
The standard 34mm CV carbs will always work best with the standard airbox. :

[Ed Z1-R]

Aloha!
New rubbers are the way to go.Makes life a H E L L of a lot easier. airbox jobbies are about ?10 a shot.Carb to head are about?20 a shot.Give or take a coupla pennies

[hanskloss]

I was doing the job three times all of them rather memorable experience even though my rubbers are not stone hard , last time I removed the mesh covers from inside the airbox (Z900A4) to aid from there and it helped a lot but than took me a while to bolt the mesh things back, annoying job however you do it

[Ed Z1-R]

The best lubricant for ease of installation is silicone grease(what plumbers use)USE SPARINGLY

[Pigford]

Come on you lot...... try a hot air gun (or the Missus's hair drier) to soften them up a bit!
Always worked for me (?????????????) :p

[Davy Doherty]

Hot water, Hair dryer, Grease, Don't laugh till you try this, Nuke them in the microwave......It works and they stay soft for ages after

[kiwiz]

all 4???

In which order and how long being nuked. Will try Anything???

[Davy Doherty]

Expirement with one first, better if you have an old junker to try it with id go full blast for a minute first. i'll see if i can dig up the post for you.

[Jerry]

Yes, I'm a tight arse as well! Think back to your first girlfriend, Warm the opening up first ( I didn't use a hot air gun for that, but I would for the carbs) plenty of lubrication, give it some firm pressure in the right direction, and it's all over in about a minute and a half!

[hanskloss]

Davy, is this a windup with the microwave or are you actually serious? would be great if it works