Carbs removal

[Gene]

1985 650 cs Nighthawk

The weather has been really rainy lately, which has delayed me taking the carbs off. I've got the air filter box moved back, and now I'm ready to remove them. But, hold on! I have loosened the clamps holding the carbs from backing out of the rubber intake manifolds, and I can wiggle the carbs up and down easily, but they are not coming out at all, even with me using a lot of force to pull them out. What am I doing wrong?

[Larry Fine]

The front of each carb has a ridge that fits into an internal groove in the rubber boot. It helps to warm up the boot to make it more pliable.

You need to try to push them up or down, then the other way, while stopping the first side from going back in. Or, try pulling out one side first.

A pry bar of some type, preferably wood or plastic, or metal if you're very careful, can help you get one end carb started and the rest will follow.

[Gene]

 Thanks Larry.
I didn't have a way to warm up the boots, but I pressed up and down extra hard, and they came right off.
Now comes the fun part. Rebuild time!

Luckily, I have a friend with a 5 gallon bucket of vintage carb cleaner, you know, the type that is banned now.