1989 carb rebuild?

969 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Wolfman, Oct 31, 2009

Redeye1620

Discussion Starter · Oct 29, 2009

imported post

I'm looking at a 1989 1500 that has been sitting for 10 years. The owner states that the carburetors need to be rebuilt. I'm sure the whole fuel system will need to be torn down & cleaned also.

I think I read somewhere that the '88 model carbscan onlybeserviced by a dealer. Did Honda change the carbs in 1989? Can a shade tree grease monkey do a carb rebuild on an 1989 wing? Thanks in advance for your expertise....-Rich

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

agnogel

· #2 · Oct 29, 2009

imported post

Hi rich theres nothing special about the carbs on the 88/89 there was just a few small mods after 89 as you have said you will need to clean the whole fuel system also you would need to change the timeing belts not for the milage on them but just the fact it was sitting so long they can perrish with age then a good service for oils plugs ect also check the state of the tyres ect good luck with the bike if you get it

Save

Wolfman

· #3 · Oct 30, 2009

imported post

I've never looked at 1500 carbs other than my own, and mine is a 96. So I can't begin to tell you about the differences.

However, I know that's it's sometimes dangerous to assume, but assuming that they are mostly the same, with a fewminor differences, it is verydo-able, with some guidance.

When I did mine, I was very intimidated by thejob and I had a friend help me. He is an auto mechanic,so he was not afraid of the job.

My contribution to the project was to take lots of pictures and builda web page, so hopefully it's helpful:

http://www.hrot.org/martino/carb/index.htm

Decide in advanceif you want toreplace the diaphragm in the accelerator pump, becauseyou have to pull the carbs to get the accelerator pump off.

Also, if you have to replace thethrottle valve diaphragms, the carbs have to be out toget to them. Soif you take it apart and discover those are bad, you'll have to leave everything apart while you order those. But those aren't cheap, about $100 each (x2), soI wouldn't order them unless they are bad.

I ended up taking mine apart 3 times in total. The first time was with my friends help. The next two times I did it alone.

See less See more

Save

Bike...and Dennis

· #4 · Oct 30, 2009

imported post

Hi Redeye,

My guess is you're going to have to replace everything rubber on those carbs and give them, and the entire fuel system, a real cleaning.

Other things, like timing belts, radiator hoses, brake lines and all the fluidswill require attention too.

10 years is a long time for a bike to sit and Sacramento is a harsh enviroment for it to sit in.

Good luck...it will be a project, for sure.

Save

AZgl1800

· #5 · Oct 30, 2009

imported post

Jim/Wolfman

I sure do appreciate the detail and photo prep work that you did on the carbs. If that had been available back when I had my 1500 carb problems, I do think I would have done the job myself.....

Save

HogansWing

· #6 · Oct 31, 2009

imported post

Jim, excellent details for the carb rebuild and the leaking hose. :clapper:

I'm just about to embark on my own carb/hose overhaul. And what you provided was just what I was looking for.

Would you suggest replacing the hoses before doing the rebuild or just jump in?

Thanks again!

Save

Wolfman

· #7 · Oct 31, 2009

imported post

Really, I spent more time taking the bike apart and removing the carbs and reinstalling the carbs and putting the bike back togetherthan the amount of time it took to overhaul the carbs. I would plan to do as much as possible all at the same time. So if you think the carbs are pretty clean and fuel flows fine, then do the hoses and button it back up. But if you are thinking you need a good cleaning do it all at once.

When I took my carbs apart, they looked dirty inside, there was flaky stuff on the insides but all the holes in the jets were clean and free flowing. We cleaned it because we had it apart, but I'm convinced that the cleaning was cosmetic and it didn't make much difference in the running. But that being said, time wise it was quick, so it would have been really silly not to do it while the bike was all taken apart.

As it was, I took it apart 3 times before I got the job done right. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month