Randys Cycle Service & Restoration: Carburetor Rebuilding & Jetting

CARBURETOR CLEANING, REBUILDING & JETTING

Professional, meticulous & thorough is how we rebuild certain vintage motorcycle carburetors from the 1960s, 70s & 80s.

Below are several examples of the variety & scope of

carburetors we've worked on. Also, a common

petcock/fuel valve issue is explained - please see below.

* We only rebuild vintage street bike carbs

* We do not bore carburetors

* We do not sell carburetors

Shown is a pair of Kehin Kawasaki jet ski

carburetors to improper winter storage

Sorry, we don't service watercraft

BEFORE: Here's what happened to a pair of Amals carburetors on a 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120R. TOP

This is what can happen when there's a reaction between

aluminum, rotten fuel & moisture.

AFTER: A thorough cleaning, re-finishing, and new parts are what we call a "Carburetor Rebuild".

INSTALLED: What a lovely rebuilt Amal 636.

Pity the customer requested we reuse, as is, the intake manifold instead of cleaning.

PRICING FOR CARBURETOR REBUILDING

Sorry, we don't service watercraft & we don't sell carbs

* All prices shown are "off the bike"

* On the bike = +.5 to 1 hour to remove & reinstall

* Pricing is for mechanical rebuilding only. Cosmetic work is extra $

* Our hourly labor rate is $120

1 carb = 1.5 hours = $180 + parts

2 carbs = 2.5 hours = $300 + parts

3 carbs = 3.5 hours = $420 + parts

4 carbs = 4.5 hours = $540 + parts

Remove old paint = .5 hr per carburetor

PARTS PRICING ~ We do not sell parts to the general public. We do not use carburetor kits provided by the Customer.

Carburetor kits = $40 and up. Amal $60+

Floats, plastic or brass = $35 and up

Main or Pilot jet, Amal = $22

Needle = $20 & up

British tickler conversion kit = $19

Carburetor intake boots = $32 and up

* Tampering, prior use of incorrect or non-standard parts, or unprofessional repair work requiring additional servicing will increase stated labor hours

* Carburetors with damage to bowls or bodies (warping) may not be able to be rebuilt

* Certain carb rebuild work will REQUIRE the entire bike to be in our shop. We can not do bench test synchronizing on carbs with vacuum slides - the entire bike is needed.

SHIPPING A CARBURETOR TO US?

FYI: We don't work on all carburetors. No estimates via email or phone. We can not tell you over phone or email if your carb needs to be rebuilt. We don't sell carbs.

1. Contact us via email (info@rcycle.com) BEFORE shipping.

Tell us the year, make & model of bike the carbs are from. We'll let you know if we can rebuild them.

2. When we agree to the work, package the carbs and

include in the box:

* your full name & mailing address

* your daytime phone number & email address

* year/make/model of the bike the carb is from

* mechanical only or mechanical + cosmetic rebuild?

* $180 non-refundable deposit paid via check, money order, PayPal, or call us with credit card information. The $180 deposit will be credited to the final invoice.

* If replacement of the carburetor is the only option or you decline the work, the carb will be returned minus $45 for handing + the cost for shipping & insurance

* We ship via US Postal Service Priority Mail

Turn around time is 8 - 10 weeks

BEFORE: Here's a pair of Amal 932's from a "running" 1974 Norton Commando 850. Running, but not well. TOP

AFTER: Deep cleaning, fresh parts, and detailed assembly = 2 beautiful looking & perfectly functional Amals

Think the gasoline in your carburetor bowls can't go bad in 3 weeks. Think again!

Click Here for Randy's Blog regarding Ethanol

AFTER: Clean, shiny, and good as new!

BEFORE: Mikuni carburetors from a 1999 Yamaha Waverunner 1200 XLT. Salt water can be very harsh. TOP

AFTER: Paint really makes an impact. (Due to Ethanol in gasoline, we no longer offer paint on carbs.)

Randy rebuilding a set of 4 carburetors from a

1987 Honda Magna VF700

BEFORE: The Keihin carburetor from a 1974 Honda XL 125. Not a pretty sight. TOP

AFTER: Clean, beautiful, and ready to provide reliable service.

A set of 4 carburetors from a 1992 Honda CB750 Nighthawk TOP

Here we are correcting a home mechanic's attempt at rebuilding the carbs from his 1981 Honda GL500 Silverwing.

To save money & time, it really pays to have a professional do the work. Plus, while we had the bike in our shop, we found hidden under the side cover 3 tiny bubbles under the paint on his fuel tank. These are the beginning signs of rust. The owner didn't notice them when he removed the carbs only 1 month earlier.

Note the double gaskets

Different needle valves - 1 was homemade

All the parts before cleaning

Rebuilding 4 carburetors on a 1980 Honda CB900C TOP

Randy is seen here correcting the carb work done by the owner of a 1977 Honda GL1000 Goldwing. The problems we found were inconsistent float levels, a torn o-ring (intake manifold seal), plugged primary & secondary air jets, and debris that was found in one of the carbs. Replacement of a damaged needle, 4 kidney-shaped gaskets & the intake manifold seal were required along with a proper, professional carburetor rebuild.

Here's an example of why we don't purchase or use "cheap" petcocks/fuel valves. Cheap ones use a rubber sleeve/seal on the inside. When the sleeve comes in contact with Ethanol gasoline, it swells. See picture 1.

In picture 2, the swollen sleeve is on the left while a new, UK made petcock is on the right. Instead of low-quality rubber, the UK petcocks use a nylon or metal sleeve that's doesn't suffer the same problems as the rubber sleeves.

Picture 1 - swollen seal

Swollen seal New UK Petcock

Rebuilding 2 Amal carburetors from a 1977 Triumph Bonneville T120V TOP

Randy synchronizing the four carburetors on a

1975 Honda GL 1000 Goldwing

What we do when we re-build a carburetor

Total disassembly of the carburetor

Complete & thorough inner & outer cleaning the carburetor body & all parts

Provide correct, quality aftermarket or OEM rebuild parts as a kit or purchased individually from manufacture

Perform repairs such as milling carburetor bowls or bodies & float repair. (Additional charge of .25 hour labor. Labor = $120 hr.)

Bench test the carburetor for leaks

Photos of the rebuild emailed to you showing the before, during, and after

NOTE: final tuning of the carburetor is the responsibility of the customer. We bench test but fine tuning can only be done once the carburetor is on the bike.