soda blasting carbs?

[Rikugun]

In no way taking away from bergoff's post - it's a good topic to bring up now and again  :) -

sunburnedaz posted this link for a DIY soda blaster that looks like it might work: http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

and (sorta' related) this interesting thread from ADVrider about Pine Sol as a carb dip solvent: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117

[Rick G]

Soda blasting seems like a useful tool, but Pinesol does not work well enough for me on really dirty carbs.
Carb cleaner is not always the same. I bought a 2 gallon can in WA.  It was labeled "not for sale in CA" I knew if was not legal in CA. it was probably pretty good ! The Berrymans carb dip I bought here in AZ is good too. I only Dip for 30 min, to avoid damaging the shaft seals and get them clean enough to send them off to the other side of the,or country ,or Canada, and  be sure that they will work.

[bergoff]

Well here is a pic of one done next to a dirty one. It works good. I needed to use a piece of wood to loosen some huge gunk that was taken to long to come loose.

I also tried it on my xs650 and the difference was night and day. The forks were yellow just like the case and I've only used 1lb so far.

[pinholenz]

Nice work! And that sand blasting gun looks the business.

My DIY/duster didn't work as well as I would have liked on the larger areas (forks/rims/casings footrests) which had been polished 30 years ago. It stripped off the corrosion well and made them 100% better but I didn't end up with an even tone on the aluminum. The rear drive casing and the carbs came out perfect.

Its a messy job but the soda cleans up easily with water or blowing out with plain air.

I have a relatively small compressor. The secret is to have a big capacity air flow at least 6-7 cfm or more, otherwise the job is slow and the results not as satisfying. I will have my large areas done professionally and keep my DIY setup for carbs,  small parts and cleaning up crusty electrical connectors.

[Rick G]

The best  way to clean up cases and fork legs is with paint stripper to get the dammed clear coat off, then use a synthetic lambs wool buffing pad on an electric drill. I did it this way in 1999. So have others.

[pinholenz]

Had a go at being a greenie and boiling my carbs in a mild acetic acid tonight. Left them in too long and now I have a horrible greasy scum all over my carbs. Sigh, should have tried just water first. :( Back to the solvents!

[Jimustanguitar]

I bought a cheap ($15) blast gun at Harbor Freight ( http://www.harborfreight.com/gravity-feed-blaster-gun-93221.html ) and gave it a try on a set of nasty carbs that I hadn't touched yet. I spent all of about 2 minutes blowing soda at them between the before and after pictures.

It definitely does a great job of removing cosmetic crud. After I get them completely disassembled, I'll have a more detailed go at it.