Unscrew carb bowls - tips please

[mickheaven]

So I'm doing the jet kit thing after putting on a new pod filter and muffler. Anyway I got the carbs out (not looking forward to doing this a few more times) and I'm having trouble unscrewing the bowls. I suspect there is that horrible red stuff (loctite) on them.

I had a look around on the net and have seen a few ideas to get them off:

- impact drill
- vice grips
- chisel and hammer
- screwing

Anyone got any tips, preferences from the above advice? Help please, I want to ride again!

[cuong-nutz]

I have had luck using regular Phillips screwdriver with a lot of pressure pushing down on the head of the screw for torque and bite to prevent the head from stripping. When you do get them off, replace them with some allen head type screws. The first time I rounded out my head, I ended up getting my dremel and slotted the head and used a flat blade screwdriver. Second time, I used some small vice grips and unscrewed it off. 3rd them, I just went ahead and replaced all the JIS screws with allen screws.

[mickheaven]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm gonna buy some needle nose vice grips tomorrow and hopefully take them out. Definitely going to replace the screws! I f***ing hate these things right now!

[n4mwd]

If you are desperate for a JIS philips screwdriver, try the one in the bike's toolkit. Personally, I have never had a problem with any of the philips screws on the bike using standard US philips, but I have heard plenty of other people complain about them.

I recommend that you put the carb assembly in a vice to hold it while you work on it because it makes it a lot more stable.

I also recommend against using an impact driver because you could crack the carbs.

The screws are assembled with lockwashers and don't have threadlocker that I have ever seen - unless somebody before you got creative.

When I did mine, and I've done them a lot, I just used a high quality #2 US philips. I have seen cheapie philips screwdrivers that wallow out and become deformed. Those wont remove a good US philips screw much less a JIS philips screw. If your philips screwdriver isn't perfect, its going to have problems.

Lastly, @choneofakind and others recommend replacing the carb bolts with allen cap screws from the hardware store. If your carb screws are problematic, then you might want to do this.

[csmith12]

Pick you up a set of these at your local hardware store.

[choneofakind]

Yepp! Allen head screws work great. M4x16 work on all the pregen caps/bowls. Might need M4x18 for a couple of the ones on the newgen caps that have brackets. Not entirely sure there.

4 per bowl/cap = 16 per carb.

I also replaced the screw that holds on the throttle bracket. I believe that's an M6x12 or something like that? [citation needed] Double check the parts diagram.


Good Phillips #2 should be a good option as well. Just make sure you use an allen key with an allen screw, JIS with jis head, phillips with phillips, etc etc. Mixing + matching = stripped heads.

[mickheaven]

thanks for the tips gents. going to buy some better quality screwdrivers this afternoon and also some replacement bolts (hex of course).

[PartsNinja]

BUY THIS.
You will not regret it. Very cheap, very useful. Insert it in the screw like a normal screwdriver and tap it once or twice with a hammer or mallet. It works great and has been a lifesaver for me.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Impact-Screw.../200950868427?

[mickheaven]

Ended up getting all but two of the screws out by putting the carbs in a vice and applying a lot of pressure with the screwdriver. The last two had to be slotted and unscrewed with a flat head. Fund there were some replacement hex head bolts

Thanks for the help guys!

[bruce71198]

Try using a dab of valve grinding compound ( obtainable at the auto parts store, cheap ) on the tip of a fresh screw driver bit to get out tight phillips head screws.

[subxero]

righty tighty, lefty loosie