Need carb installation help

[Dave Weaver]

I had my carb bank out to replace slow jets and clean up in general.  I am trying to re-install everything now and can't seem to get the plastic upper radiator hose shroud to fit properly.  The right side of it is sticking out near the horn, and the carb bank is resting on the middle of it.  Did I not get it in there properly? Is this thing really necessary?  Would anything bad happen if I threw it in the trash?

[DFragn]

YES, You Need It!
Without it you'll get a ton more heat running up at ya, even without the fan running.

I use a couple of 1.5" plastic putty knives [they're flexible & won't damage anything] to slip in between the shroud and the forward edge of the carb bank [left & right]. It hangs up there [usually at the nuts for the rack rods] and down on top of the block.

You have to work each side alternately with the putty knives a little at a time while making sure you're not hung up on the block.
It'll go! Just a little patience & fortitude. Once the sides are slipping through the rest will almost fall into place.
I've had enough practice that I can get it in in about 5 minutes. The putty knives will help a great deal...

[Hook#3287]

...in front of the carbs ARE a real pain in the A$$ to re-install.  I was wondering if you bought another one and cut both so there would be a 2 or 3 inch over lap, if that would make so they would install with out the cussing??  Just a thought.

[DFragn]

You could do that, but I don't think it's necessary.

With the putty knives in place [or similar object] and certain there's nothing holding the side flaps up at the carbs you can push or thump 'firmly' the main body of the shroud with a rubber mallet or blunt object. You have to go back and forth between the flap/putty knives adj. and knocking/working the main body.

Sometimes warming the shroud up in the oven then working quickly before it cools helps.

Once it pops in place you'll say 'ah ha'.

You'll get it...

[Master Blaster]

None of the blower bikes use it, and the heat isnt that bad.  I dont think you will miss it too much if you leave it out.  Saying this, I just installed a new engine with carbs on my exblower bike and put in the shroud.  wasnt much of a problem, but I did have the radiator off.

[Dave Weaver]

I have it in the bike, but it just doesn't look right.  The middle of it (where the hump is) is sitting on the radiator hose where I think it belongs and the left (driver's) side looks ok, but as I said in original post, the right side is sticking out and almost hitting the horn.  I cannot seem to get it back into where I think it should go as it is one solid plastic piece and the middle is resting on the hose.  I think I will remove it and the carb bank, then install it without the carb bank to see how it is supposed to fit.

[DFragn]

None of the blower bikes use it, and the heat isnt that bad.  I dont think you will miss it too much if you leave it out.  Saying this, I just installed a new engine with carbs on my exblower bike and put in the shroud.  wasnt much of a problem, but I did have the radiator off.

Yup, but that wouldn't help much unless of course your top radiator hose hadn't been installed yet.