Well, an opportunity came up recently for me to get into some trouble. And where there is trouble to be had, I'm generally not too far away. So I purchased my self a fixer-upper project. I present the new addition: a 1980 R100/7 (RS possibly). So the first problem I have run into is the condition of the gas tank and carbs, the owner never drained off the old gas or refilled with fresh so what I have now is a tank full of old gas (yes, smells more like varnish then gas) and equally junked up carbs. In the past I just purchased some carb cleaner, the kind in a one gallon pail with the soaker. However, California, in its ever increasing wisdom, has banned the sale of this stuff due to CARB/EPA/CAL-OSHA bull. Wondering if anyone here has some useful alternatives. I've gotten recommendations such as simple green (???) and spray carb cleaner (previous experience says that doesn't work. I'll keep everyone updated as to how things go.
Go to an auto parts store and get a gallon of Berryman carburetor cleaner or an equivalent such as hydroseal. Pour it in the tank for a few hours with the occasional slosh around then drain it. Hose the tank out very well with the pressure nozzle and do it again. The active ingredient is methylene chloride.
Then soak your carb parts, petcocks etc. in it
Note that it also does an exceptional job of removing paint so be careful with it.
I dunno if the cali crazies allow them to sell it there, but Yamaha dealers carry a bottled carb soak that you cut with water. It does a great job dissolving crud, and isnt totally caustic to anything it touches (I still wouldnt go splashing it on paint). The only weird thing is, it makes this weird fuzz grow on any steel parts in it...it washes right off and doesnt harm the metal, but its just odd.
So trying to flush it with gasoline didn't work... how about kerosene?
If all fails maybe try pain thinner... that stuff cleans up anything... but be very careful with it.... but make sure you don't touch any paint or rubber...
Where can I get me some of that "pain thinner"? At my advanced age and physical condition, I really needs to get me some of that stuff.
I've seen Smirnoff sell some, and I recall feeling no pain for a while with something called Jack Daniels, although I vaguely recall not feeling so pain-thinned the morning after the night before, but some side effects are to be expected.
No free lunch, and all that....
__________________ ...Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water......
So here is where it's at. California has in fact banned the good ol' dip products in entirety. After searching high and low, no luck on that. I did ask a dealer and a couple of motorcycle mechanics. With the mechanics, things went as one could expect, somewhat negative and without much help. The dealer on the other hand was very useful. BTW, the general consensus was that not having this product was a real big pita. The dealer (Hollywood BMW/Honda) said that they try to avoid doing carb boiling whenever possible. They now use an ultrasonic dip and let it soak, sometimes for over 48 hours, because the products are just not out there. They no longer clean tanks at all because they don't have the agents to do it, so the tank goes to a radiator shop and I'm trying a ultrasonic cleaner at home. All the other stuff people mentioned wouldn't have worked (previous experience) because these carbs are just way too gone. Picture attached for reference.
The reason I mentioned the dealer was because their shop foreman was very friendly and helpful, right down to showing me what they use and how they use it. Not bad considering the norm around here for moto mechanics.
Well, an opportunity came up recently for me to get into some trouble. And where there is trouble to be had, I'm generally not too far away. So I purchased my self a fixer-upper project. I present the new addition: a 1980 R100/7 (RS possibly). So the first problem I have run into is the condition of the gas tank and carbs, the owner never drained off the old gas or refilled with fresh so what I have now is a tank full of old gas (yes, smells more like varnish then gas) and equally junked up carbs. In the past I just purchased some carb cleaner, the kind in a one gallon pail with the soaker. However, California, in its ever increasing wisdom, has banned the sale of this stuff due to CARB/EPA/CAL-OSHA bull. Wondering if anyone here has some useful alternatives. I've gotten recommendations such as simple green (???) and spray carb cleaner (previous experience says that doesn't work. I'll keep everyone updated as to how things go.
I run a website for old Yamaha motorcycles, the XS750 and XS850 models (1976 to 1982). The people on there swear by lemon juice to clean gunked up carbs. Bring the lemon juice up to a boil then soak the carb parts for about 15 minutes. Remove from juice and use a small brass (or plastic, not steel) brush to remove the grunge.
Need a bit of help
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