Ebay aftermarket carburetor diaphragm

[cuong-nutz]

Took the plunge and bought an aftermarket ebay diaphragm. Arrived today via UPS.

Initial thoughts: the walls are noticeably thin compared to stock. The upper lip is slightly smaller in diameter but should not affect performance.

The negatives so far:
You have to carefully remove the the "cap" that holds the diaphragm to the slide in order to install the new diaphragm. Then, of course, glue it back together. This is the reason why Stock diaphragms cost so much since it's already preassembled with slide attached.

I have not installed the new diaphragm yet. Don't have the free time just yet.

[choneofakind]

Cool! Keep the link handy and keep us updated how they work out for you. I feel like that ebay seller might get some more business if those work out for you. I feel like I read about torn diaphragms once a month or so.

[alex.s]

how does it stop the pregnancy if there is a hole in the middle!

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by alex.s

how does it stop the pregnancy if there is a hole in the middle!

I believe these are the defective ones being remarketed for carbs.

[cuong-nutz]

Well, I went to town on the slide. Busted out my dremel used a big bit to cut away since I couldnt find my adapter for my smaller bits. You could use a razor blade to cut through but It'll take some time but results may turn out better. Since I was just in the "goodness of research" aka just hack away, my results look boogered. You'll need to cut down 3.5-4mm at a slight angle inwards all around and gentle prying will break the seal off. Since my slide is pretty hacked up, I'll be patching it up with epoxy or gorilla glue.

Try to stay away from the slide lip as much as possible so that when you install the spring, the coils do not hang/hit the lip when it actuates.

If any of you have torn diaphragms and are willing to donate, please send them to me








pic with new diaphram on:





Notice the dimple on the cap. this, faces the slide groove/slot/whatever it's called so it'll help with orientation when you put it back together:

[cuong-nutz]

It works...........so far! Need to hook up the trottle cables and go for a test spin. Manually revved the motor and I do feel it bogging but that could be just that the stock air filter was overly oiled from previous owner.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Alex]

video link check?

[GlassAnkles]

how much were those compared to a used pair of carbs?

[cuong-nutz]

one diaphragm was ~$34 shipped where a set of used carbs would probably run $30 if you can find it that cheap plus shipping.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

one diaphragm was ~$34 shipped where a set of used carbs would probably run $30 if you can find it that cheap plus shipping.

Complete used carbs with salvageable rubbers are a lot more than $30!

[choneofakind]

Try more like $100 shipped.

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Complete used carbs with salvageable rubbers are a lot more than $30!

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Try more like $100 shipped.

I was being very optimistic than realistic.

[choneofakind]

Look at it this way Cuong, you saved yourself a nice bit of money by buying those aftermarket diaphragms instead of used carbs. That's a decent meal out.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

I was being very optimistic than realistic.

Well, because it's so easy to tear the diaphragms and because it's cheaper to buy complete used carbs than the diaphragms alone (still expensive for a piece of rubber!), there are a glut of cheap used carbs with torn or already salvaged diaphragms on the market. You can probably find plenty of those for $30.

You might be able to find one with a single good diaphragm for some price in between, but the sellers know that all you want is the diaphragm and are probably going to try to offload the whole thing at extra expense or else they would have just sold the good diaphragm separately. It isn't smart to split them up because you just made the remaining carb parts near-worthless. Until recently, anyone with good diaphragms has good carbs.

It looks like these are still priced out of reach for restoring carbs in need of both diaphragms, but the people making them could probably start buying them up and selling refurb carbs for a healthy profit.

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Look at it this way Cuong, you saved yourself a nice bit of money by buying those aftermarket diaphragms instead of used carbs. That's a decent meal out.

Yep! And he also made us aware of a great new alternative to buying a whole set of good carbs just for the diaphragms.

[baz666]

I was just talking to someone who repaired a torn diaphragm using Permatex Black Silicone. I know the stuff. It's like liquid rubber and hardens into a soft rubber-like compound.
I asked him whether it wouldn't break down into goop again when exposed to gasoline and clog up the carb passages? He says he's run his suzuki like that for a season with no problem. Somehow I'm skeptical but tempted since a tube of that black silicone is 7 or 8 bucks.

[Ducati999]

I have repaired a few diaphragms in the past with good results. The back side does not see much more than slight fuel vapor and does not seem to cause the permatex to break down. I did 2 on my 86 FZ750 (were torn when I bought it) and rode that bike for 3-4 years and even cleaned them with carb cleaner. The bigger the tear the less likely the repair will stay or not cause performance issues. Small holes and rips will easily be repaired with just a thin film after you clean the diaphragm really well with alcohol or carb cleaner. Do not soak these rubber parts in carb cleaner some of them will expand to over twice their original size! Just wipe them with a damp cloth till clean and allow to dry in direct sunlight if possible (just for a few mins) then apply the permatex using as little as possible and let that dry then reinstall and ride.

[baz666]

Glad it worked out for you so well. Unfortunately, one of the tears goes about a quarter way around the rubber and there are a few small pieces of the rubber missing. one hole is about 1/4" wide. I tried using the silicone but had to use it on both sides to fill the hole and I think it's just too big. But it appears a fellow ninjette owner has a slider and diaphragm for sale a fair bit below the retail price.
Gotta love these forums.
thanks,
Baz

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by baz666

Glad it worked out for you so well. Unfortunately, one of the tears goes about a quarter way around the rubber and there are a few small pieces of the rubber missing. one hole is about 1/4" wide. I tried using the silicone but had to use it on both sides to fill the hole and I think it's just too big. But it appears a fellow ninjette owner has a slider and diaphragm for sale a fair bit below the retail price.
Gotta love these forums.
thanks,
Baz

I agree with you. You have a tear that is way too big to properly repair. Even if you could get it to seal it would never flex the way it was designed to do. You have chosen the only proper solution which is replacement. I am not a writer but I am a mechanic, so I know what to do but I am not great at getting those ideas across to people. My post stated that the larger the tear the less likely the repair will work. Good luck.