Reviving Carb rubbers?

[Shox Dr]

The carb to airbox rubbers on my Africa Twin have gone hard, I can’t get them to stay on.

Any suggestions on rejuvenating them?
T

 

[dobbslc]

Soaking them in wintergreen is meant to work but I've never tried I myself.

 

[Shox Dr]

I’ve heard of this ‘wintergreen’ stuff. WTH is it?

 

[brightspark]

what would we do without u tube and google

 

[voipio]

Oil of Wintergreen is methyl salicylate, used to treat insect bites and stings. You can get it from the chemists. It's chemically related to aspirin, though don't try using aspirin instead, to soften the rubber.

Also see:

http://www.kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/rubbersoftener.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_salicylate

 

[Shox Dr]

what would we do without u tube and google

Iv just googled it. . And still none the wiser, what type do I need? Would tescos or the chemists sell it. Really need this stuff yesterday . Want to use bike this weekend

 

[voipio]

You were probably typing as I posted!! :-)

 

[Shox Dr]

Oil of Wintergreen is methyl salicylate, used to treat insect bites and stings. You can get it from the chemists. It's chemically related to aspirin, though don't try using aspirin instead, to soften the rubber.

Also see:

http://www.kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/rubbersoftener.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_salicylate

Thanks, might be able to get hold of sone xylene, would gun wash do? Or acetone?

 

[MattF]

Electrolube RRR may be worth a shot. Some rubbers it'll soften to a degree, some it won't. If yours have gone hard, I'd think owt you do is a temp fix at best.

 

[voipio]

Rubbing alcohol, or surgical spirits will probably do it, though acetone should be OK. It's really to act as a carrier, to take the oil of wintergreen into the rubber. Gunwash is a right concoction, containing acetone, toluene, and xylene, plus other components in smaller proportions, and will work, also.

 

[Shox Dr]

Electrolube RRR may be worth a shot. Some rubbers it'll soften to a degree, some it won't. If yours have gone hard, I'd think owt you do is a temp fix at best.

I wouldn’t say Hard; as in ridged. Just no stretch, as such. I can get the rubbers on the carbs, but as soon as you attempt to nip the clips up they side off

 

[brightspark]

whats the stuff u stick in your oil on engines that revive and soften oil seals that have gone hard it certainly works on smokey engines

 

[Screwdriver]

Good luck with that. Over the years I have tried many times with many different recipes. It never works for me. My understanding is that once the rubber has degraded, it's game over and it won't grow back (aka "soak in"). The only thing that helps is heat but that only lasts until you get them on, then you rely on them going hard again whilst clamped in place...

Would love to know how you get on.

 

[pedrobedro]

Wipe some household mastic round the mating surface and bung them back together before it sets.

 

[Shox Dr]

Well Tescos dont sell it.

Wipe some household mastic round the mating surface and bung them back together before it sets.

Not possible, if you have a look at the pic, there’s lip that sits inside the carb, it has two slots in it. If they arent seated it’ll not run properly.

I’ve taken them out the airbox. Cleaned and liberally rubbed with bumper rejuvenator, I found in the ‘cupboard of stuff’

I thing some of the problem might be the new clips. The old were thinner than the new. Clamping behind a very small lip on the carb. The new ones been wider bridge this and they slip off. I’ll bring my wire lockers back tomorrow night and see if wire locking them tight to the body works

 

[MattF]

What about using some of the Permatex Form-a-Gasket aviation sealant? The brush on stuff. That should be thin enough to not affect the seal.

 

[Shox Dr]

@MattF . No bodging allowed


I might be a good test of a haywire tool, I’ve just made [mkII]

 

[Wallace]

Looking at the photo I would say you are correct about the clips being too wide. I’ve had rubbers where only the flimsy pressed tin clips will hold them in place as any pressure on the clip retaining lip cases them to pop off. Does the airbox bolt to the frame? That might keep them in place whilst doing the clips up. Sometimes a good wash with hand soap or Swarfega to remove the dirt can restore a bit of tack to the surface and getting them warm helps.

 

[Greeves246]

I have used wintergreen / xylene on a 40 year old Honda air filter connector with good results. Takes about a week of repeated coating, placing in a sealed plastic bag to slow down evaporation. Must be done in a greenhouse or similar away from the house as the smell is awful. Google Honda carb rubber renovation, lots of formulas and methods. Greeves 246

 

[rtbcomp]

Try platen restorer, if you can still get it.