Monday, May 3, 2010 [19326 miles]
I was going to work on the GS, today, but instead had to replace a garden sprinkler head that was flooding instead of sprinkling. A new fridge is about to be delivered, too. I figured I’d pull the carbs and exhaust off the bike while waiting for the delivery folks to show up.
Ready to remove carburetor
Fuel line disconnect
I know not to over tighten the slide cap. Both side came off using only my hands. I think lubricating the O-rings last time I had them off, helped. I’ve new carb gaskets and O-rings that will I’ll use when it comes time to put the carbs back on the bike.
Hold slides out of the way
To be cleaned
What next?
I use cable ties to hold the slides to the upper frame rail. This gets them out of the way so I’m unlikely to damage them removing the engine. Both carbs are off and some paper towels are stuck into the intake to keep dirt (and creepy crawlies) out of the engine.
Exhaust
Threads in good shape
Here’s another case where lubrication, this time in the form of anti-seize, made removal quite easy. The exhaust threads on the cylinder head are in good shape on both sides.
Loosen clamps
Needs cleaning
It was at about this point that my new fridge arrived.
Cleaning will have to wait for a while.
Keep dirt out
Cleaned
Last thing I did before fridge installation was to stick a paper towel in both exhaust ports. About 3 hours later I got back to working on the bike and cleaned the crossover pipe. The rest of the exhaust is still sitting on the paper, waiting for some TLC in the form of polish and steel wool, both of which are in short supply. Need to run to the store.