I just bought an '83 KZ750 that has been sitting for 3 years. The engine is getting worked on, but the mechanic wants to charge me $300 to clean the carburetors and $30 for the gas tank. I'm mechanically savvy, but not an expert. Can I do the work myself? How do I clean old gasoline out of a quad carb and the gas tank?
2007-08-04 05:05:18 · 9 answers · asked by roberticvs 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Cleaning the carbs is a lot of work, removing them, taking them apart, cleaning them in kerosene, putting back together, re-installing them. You'll need all new gaskets, maybe 4 rebuild kits.Better let him do it if you don't think you can. The tank is easier to clean: Remove the petcock assembly, drain out old gas, block the petcock hole and pour in some kerosene, swish around for a few minutes,drain, let dry, add new gas. Take apart the petcock assembly and clean with kerosene too, being sure to clean the screen also.
2007-08-04 05:19:40 · answer #1 · answered by jonwalkerr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cleaning the tank is easy, basically just pull it off the bike, dump it out, wash it out with fresh gas, dump it, remount it, fill with fresh gas and go. The carbs however, are a different matter. Especially if, as you say, you aren't experienced in carbs. As you know, old gas hardens into a tacky and solid "varnish" ytpe substance. It gums up and plugs the jets, floats etc. For your own safety and peace of mind, I'd pay the money to have the shop do it right. LAter on, you can get a service manual, and learn how to do it. Best bet for the future, when storing a bike is to fill the tank with fresh fuel, add the proper amount of "stabil" which is available at the auto parts store, to the fuel, mix it then run the bike to get it into the carbs as well. That will keep the fuel good for a long time. The other way, is to drain the fuel tank, and run the bike till all the fuel is out of the carbs too. But that allows rust etc to form in the tank
2007-08-04 08:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by randy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a fuel problem it is an electrical problem. Was the battery on a trickle charger? There may be enough voltage to light up the warning lights and the click is the solenoid moving into place but not enough electrical charge to turn over the engine and or start the fuel pump. I would suggest pulling the battery, take it to any dealer and ask them to put a charge on it because the bike has been idle for 4 months. Cost you a couple of buck to eliminate the battery in your trouble shooting steps, money well spent. Oh, buy yourself a trickle charger to keep the battery up when the bike sits for extended periods. It will add a year or two to the overall life of the battery and it will keep you from being stuck on those nice warm spring days after a winter of not riding. Lastly, buy some gas stabilizer and get in the habit of using it year round. It won't hurt anything but it will keep the gas from gumming up the fuel system if the bike sits for a long time, intentionally or unintentionally.
2016-04-01 19:06:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was kind of nervous working on my carbs until I worked on them and actually fixed the bike. It is something that you have to have patience to do. Don't just tear into the carbs and totally take them apart. You can take one apart at a time. You can use the other carbs as examples of what one looks like put together. When you take idle screws off, count the number of turns. Use your common sense. You don't want to make the bike worse off than it was. Nobody who answered your question was an expert the first time they worked on a bike. They just got better with a little confidence and experience. I also have a carb synchronizer which made it easier since I didn't have to bring it to a shop every time I had the carbs apart. Good luck.
2007-08-04 12:03:08 · answer #4 · answered by Bob 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a shop manual for your bike ,Clymer or Haynes, take the carbs apart and clean with carb cleaner. The best way to clean the carb jets is a carb cleaning kit but they are kind of expensive. It might be cheaper to replace all the jets. Ask around for the cheapest place to buy them. You could be charged anywhere from $3.00 to $26.00 for just one jet. $6.00 to $7.00 a pair is a fair price.
The gas tank can be cleaned with carb cleaner or clean gas. Be careful if using gas. Take your petcock off too and clean it out. If there are any in-line filters replace them. Good Luck.
If the bike was just sitting there probably isn't anything wrong with the motor itself. Just needed some adjustments.
But yes you can do all of this yourself.
2007-08-04 06:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by blastabuelliac 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the carbs gotta come off the bike be dissasembled soaked in a carb cleaning solution,new gaskets for the float bowls are needed which you cant buy without purchesing the entire rebuild kit and finally when put back on the bike they gotta be synchronized.pay to have it done,the tools will cost you more than what he is gonna charge you. I work on bikes I know whats up.
2007-08-04 05:26:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have no idea what is getting fixed... Put new gas in the tank start and run drive and have fun... Good Luck.. If that does not work then you can pay him... If the tank is full take a hose and siphen it out ... I would have bought one that runs--but thats your bike,,,,
2007-08-04 05:14:02 · answer #7 · answered by Gerald 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carbs...Seafoam Deep Creep
Gas tank...Regular Seafoam
Available at most auto parts stores.
2007-08-04 06:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by Ellwood 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-03-05 04:57:56 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋