Fair price for low-speed carb jet cleaning

[TexasGator]

Have seen several discussions on cleaning the low-speed carb jets for bikes that sit too long.  First I'll try Seafoam.  If that doesn't work, what is a fair price for cleaning the jets?  The local dealer wanted $550 for it, and that seemed way high...

Thanks...

TexasGator

[Kingbee]

My dealer charges 6 hours to remove the bank, clean everything, & reinstall.

I cleaned mine & replaced the jets with the bank still in the bike, but loose - took me 6 hours

Labor rate in Chicago area is $85.

[FLAVALK]

Holy cow! $550 to remove & clean carbs? Get a manual, ask questions here, take your time and you can do it in one afternoon.....and you will become very familiar with your machine. You can do this

[PharmBoy]

T-Gator, you will need a few metric tools, none of which have to be anything special.  The only thing special that I can think of is a Jap phillips bit.  A little mechanical experience will help, but not absolutely necessary.  There is an article in Shoptalk that explains most of the procedure and many on this board will be willing to help.  Where in Texas are you?  There may be someone who lives just around the corner from you who would be willing to help.  Also, it is a great time to inspect/replace the vacuum hoses, carb drain hoses, and replace the intake O-rings.  It is all right there together and easy to get to once you get the carb bank loose...JTL

[TexasGator]

I'm in Dallas, and not the least bit mechanically inclined.  I can change the oil and coolant...that's about as adventuresome as I've been with this bike.  Have monkeyed with single-cylinder carbs before, but this looks daunting.  You guys really think a non-mechanic can handle this without ending up with an engine in a million pieces on the garage floor?

[FLAVALK]

Hardest part is getting the carb bank out & back in the bike...and that's not hard, it just takes a little time. After you have the carbs out, just flip the assembly over, remove the bowls (one at a time), unscrew the slow jets and give then a good soaking/cleaning. Only do one at a time and you will have no problem. Better yet, order a set of #38 slows and just replace the OEM (#35) slows. Clean up the bowls real good and put everything back together (if you replace the slows you will need to adjust the pilots, no big deal, especially when the carbs are out of the bike). When your finished, you will be an expert!  

You make think I just make it sound easy...it is. Just take your time and ask questions.

If I can do it, anybody can.

[99valk]

Gator,
I also live in Dallas and would be willing to give advice or some help if needed.  I just finished doing a total rebuild of all the carbs.  Like everyone said, take your time and only do one carb at a time.  Biggest pain is removing the airbox and putting it back in.  There are even suggestions for doing that in the shop talk.

[Ghillie]

I'm in Garland and am wanting to do the vacuum lines and check floats, adjust valves and eventually synch the carbs. I have a shop we can work in if someone local with experience would be willing to coach us I bet we could knock out both bikes on a saturday. I have very little experience working on my valk, but I did manage to do the clutch with a little help from a friend. I have the Clymer manual and the shop manual on the computer.

[PharmBoy]

Guys, You do not have to remove the carb bank to replace/clean the slow jets.  Just unbolt it and tie up one side at a time.  That gives you enough room to remove the carb bowls and replace/clean the slow jets.  I put in the #38's and it was a big improvement.  Well worth the few bucks they cost.  I would also suggest that you buy a Jap phillips head screwdriver bit to remove the bowls and that you replace the Jap phillips head screws that hold the bowls on with allen head screws on reassembly.  Also get new o-rings for the intake runners (#123 at any auto store).  Now is also a good time to check/replace all the rubber hoses that are getting old and may be leaking.  If you ever even thought of doing the de-smog, this is the optimum time for that also.  I am pretty tied up with work and projects of my own until after Inzane, but would be glad to help after that.  I also have a carb sync gage that works well.  I have places to stay in the area.  I used to live in Richardson and I love to tear up other peoples bikes...JTL  (Just ask Stude31.)   

[kentpham]

I've just checked the price for diagnosis and carbs cleaning at these motorcycle dealers and here they are:
Sunsport Cycle in Fort Myers, FL : $900.00 @ $85.00/hr
Florida Motorsports in Naples, FL : $425.00 @ $85.00/hr

What a difference!!!

Is it time to give up riding???

[cutter]

I've just checked the price for diagnosis and carbs cleaning at these motorcycle dealers and here they are:
Sunsport Cycle in Fort Myers, FL : $900.00 @ $85.00/hr
Florida Motorsports in Naples, FL : $425.00 @ $85.00/hr

What a difference!!!

Is it time to give up riding???

Give up riding?! Hell no! Learn to doit yourself or find a good friend that can for some drink of choice. Of course don't let him have it till after ya call it a day! 

[FLAVALK]

I've just checked the price for diagnosis and carbs cleaning at these motorcycle dealers and here they are:
Sunsport Cycle in Fort Myers, FL : $900.00 @ $85.00/hr
Florida Motorsports in Naples, FL : $425.00 @ $85.00/hr

What a difference!!!

Is it time to give up riding???

Give up riding?! Hell no! Learn to doit yourself or find a good friend that can for some drink of choice. Of course don't let him have it till after ya call it a day! 

You got that right! Don't ever get caught WWI (wrenching while intoxicated). The result could be...er not what you expected. 

[FLAVALK]

What a difference!!!

Only takes the guy in Ft Meyers 5 hrs to to the job. Naples = 10.5 hrs

It didnt take me ten hours the first time, and I was feeling my way along

[uncletruck]

The guy in Naples must have a bigger boat payment. 

[kentpham]

What a difference!!!

Only takes the guy in Ft Meyers 5 hrs to to the job. Naples = 10.5 hrs

It didnt take me ten hours the first time, and I was feeling my way along

Actually,
Fort Myers = 10.5 hrs VS Naples = 5 hrs

So, the good guy is Florida Motorsports in Naples.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Get on the Texas board and see if they're gonna have a wrenching party anytime soon. There is plenty of help and knowledge in that neck of the woods to do all the things you guys want to do and you'll meet some of the best people in the world. I just wish I was closer to the DFW area.

[Ghillie]

I was talking to Dave in Frisco yesterday. We are thinking of having a wrenching party in a week or two in Garland. We both want to do a desmog and check a few other things.

[99valk]

I am will be more then willing to help.  Don't know if I will have my bike back on it's feet by then (still waiting on clutch parts), but I could always slink in on the other non valk bike.
I have the tools and the sync gauges to do the job.  I just did mine and it is amazing to feel the power again.  After riding it 11 years and losing a little here and there you forget what a kick in the ass this bike can be.
Ghillie, just send me an email and we can work out the details.