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stuck throttle slide?

Fuel System: Gas (Petrol) tanks, Carburators
I-man
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Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: hillsborugh nc

stuck throttle slide?

Post by I-man » Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:41 pm

69 ca77. I just ordered the Bill Silver manuals, but i thought i'd start the carbs soaking in advance of it's arrival. i took the carb off the bike, and unscrewed the carb cap, figuring the throttle slide would just come out with the spring, and i'd be able to disconnect the throttle cable, but it doesn't budge. Am I missing something? shouldn't it just come out?

e3steve
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Post by e3steve » Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:57 pm

It should. Does it not slide up & down the throat at all?

I-man
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Posts: 39
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: hillsborugh nc

Post by I-man » Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:29 pm

no, it's frozen solid. i've sprayed it with carb cleaner off and on for about 24 hours now, but no progress. as I said, I haven't really applied any force, which never seem to be a good idea in these situations. More carb cleaner? other? thanks for your reply.

e3steve
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Post by e3steve » Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:38 pm

I'm not so sure that carb cleaner is a particularly efficient release agent. Boil it in a pan of water on the stove for 20 mins with a wire coathanger hooked through the mounting flange holes, fish it out and allow to dry and cool naturally then immerse the whole carb in diesel; if the slide is gummed with aged gas, then diesel will (should) help dissolve that. If it's seized due to corrosion, then it should free up with an overnight soak and a little persuasive levering using a hardwood or plastic implement (NOT a screwdriver!). You could fabricate a slotted wedge from hardwood or even aluminium to gently drive down the choke from the filter side, bit by bit and astride the jet needle, once the soaking in diesel or WD40 has started to ease the problem. Every millimetre of slide movement will allow increasing effect from the chosen penetrating agent.

The heat from the boiling operation should cause varying rates of expansion and may facilitate freeing up with just WD40 as a penetrating agent; try spraying liberally whilst it's still hot but handleable. Remember that WD has a 55º flashpoint!

I-man
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Posts: 39
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: hillsborugh nc

Post by I-man » Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:58 pm

sounds easy enough. hopefully i'll have time tomorrow to mess with it tomorrow. thanks steve

e3steve
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Post by e3steve » Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:12 am

No worries, I-mate. I should add: remove any O-rings/jets/gaskets first, especially if you intend re-using the O-rings; they should survive but don't chance it if you need them. Place the carb in a saucepan and add enough water to cover it completely, plus a bit for evaporation; bung it on the stove and apply high heat, just like you would boil spuds. Keep the heat high enough to maintain the boiling -- don't let it drop to a simmer. And don't drink the soup that's left!

Interesting(?) aside: boiling water from a kettle, dribbled over a corroded battery post (or whatever), makes short work of the manky, furry stuff. It won't damage electrics and it flashes off very quickly due to the heat.

I-man
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Posts: 39
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: hillsborugh nc

Post by I-man » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:21 pm

good news. after much spraying with wd-40, i decided to try the hardwood wedge before the boiling. I didn't intend to apply much pressure, and I didn't have to before i felt it give a little. a little more wd-40, some more light pressure with the hardwood wedge, and the throttle slide eazed on out. thanks for the input steve.

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