Air Box boots don't quite fit onto carb intake

[Heathen]

Hopefully I can describe this well.  the rubber "boots" that come down from the airbox, I can't quite get them to seem to seat fully over the intake opening on top of the carbs.  They have a metal band that clamps them in place, but it's almost like something's in the way of the airbox sitting all the way down in its space and the rubber boots are all like 1/8" short of where they should be. 

Bike has been desmogged, I can't see anything in the way of the airbox.  I'm thinking of just using a strap to force the damn thing down then tighten all 6 clamps and see if that will hold it!!!    but before I use brute force, I'm sure you guys have encountered this and I'm doing something dumb.

Please help?

Thanks!

[hubcapsc]

It is "a thing" that Valkyrie air box boots are hard to get back on.

A feller wrote this up a while back:

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/AirBox%20VentHose/AirBox.htm

Search "valkyrie air box" on youtube and get some hits...

You are wise to be wary of brute force...

-Mike

[WintrSol]

And, don't forget to put a film of red rubber or silicone grease on the mating surfaces - makes the rubber last longer, too.

[Jess from VA]

And alcohol makes the intake tubes slippery, but dries without residue.

I've not done it.  But I've read many talk about using a ratchet strap over the air box to pull it down on the intake connections.  

It seems one might go at that gently and gradually, working at getting each one in place with the minimum force necessary on the strap to hold everything in place while you work (like 3d and 4th hands).  As opposed to brute force all at once.

Also, it's possible the intake tubes might be warmed up a little to become more flexible.     

I could be wrong.  

[Grandpot]

Be gentle, they will fit.  Make sure you don't have a cable on the frame keeping it from coming down.  Also, be sure none of the down tubes are folded inward behind the carbs.  They like to do that and will block all the others from coming down.

[WintrSol]

And alcohol makes the intake tubes slippery, but dries without residue.

Yes, this works, but red rubber grease protects the rubber from ageing. I use it on all my weather seals, and never had one fail. Current auto is 17 years old, with little sign of wear on the seals. GM recommends (their) silicone grease for the same use.

[ckahler]

Rubber boots do shrink with age. I installed the carbs on my 98 Valkyrie a couple days ago and did alot of pushing on the air box and forcing the boots over the carburetors with a big screwdriver. A second set of hands would have helped.
If the boots have shrunk too much, new ones can be got from partszilla for $12.50 each.

[John Schmidt]

Loosen those hose clamps enough to slip them upward off their resting position. Once all the boots are in place, you can slip the clamps down into position and tighten them. I have always used the ratchet strap method, just install the filter and airbox cover, then lay a short piece of 2x4 on top and place the strap over it and hook onto the engine guard. That gives you two hands to work with and the boots will stay in place while you're working.

[RonW]

"..... but it's almost like something's in the way of the airbox sitting all the way down and the rubber boots are all like 1/8" short of where they should be."

There's nothing in the way.





I dunno if the airbox bolt might interfere with the boots sitting all the way.







I use a radiator hose pick to guide the inner edge. An offset pick might even work better.

[rug_burn]

Yes, that job is a pain in the butt.  I use a mirror and flashlight to verify all is in place before pushing down too hard, and i have several pick type tools that help.    Even a bent coat hanger with the end rounded off would be good enough to get them all seated.    Silicone grease is pretty much indispensible, too.
     Once you get them all on, you won't have to fight too hard anymore.