Carb seal kits

[Maelstrom]

Greetings from the Yamaha section, just joking! I am on my way to having comprehensive carb kits for the Yamaha FZR400 completed. The kits that are on the market for the Yamahas do not include all the necessary o-rings, nor the fuel T pipe seals. To say nothing of the price. So, I thought I would pose the question because it is much easier asking those with product knowledge. Is there any need for something similar for the Hondas?

[Yakama]

I think Rick Oliver sells them for the VFR/RVF's but not sure if anyone does them for the CBR's

[Maelstrom]

It seems Rick's kits are more like a jet kit. Whereas I am referring to a seal kit. The standard Honda parts (RVF) are available as 16040-MR7-004 (Fuel O-ring Kit) and 16010-MR8-900 (Carb O-Ring and Seal Kit) . I haven't found any throttle shaft seals yet. So I would propose offering pattern kits all in Viton for a much lower price.

[Cammo]

Good idea. I think there is a need for an affordable solution, the Honda parts are expensive and not all available on their own.

O-rings for the fuel T pieces (2 x T pieces so a total of 4 o-rings) and for the air screws (4) would be handy. Will dig up the part numbers and parts diagram tomorrow. Viton construction would be a must. The throttle shafts on the v4 carbs aren't removable so the seals aren't viable.

Rick Oliver offers nc30 float bowl gasket o-rings only as far as I know - a great cheap alternative to genuine gaskets (also fit cbr nc23 carbs).

[Maelstrom]

Thanks Cammo. I have numbers for the RVF kits. It seems from the parts book that they are not sold separately. Are the VFR carbs the same? Throttle shafts not removable! That doesn't sound good.

[Maelstrom]

I found this pic. So what happens after you pop the nut off that throttle shaft? Must be something holding the shaft in the body, apart from the butterfly, if the shaft is not removable.

[micpec]

I have bought these genuine Honda carb gasket kits few months ago, and as known are very very expensive. Rick O supplied me a full kit for one complete NC35 carb (as backorder). Also, I needed another kit so got 2nd kit from local dealer also as backorder. Rick is on the hunt for a cheaper non-brand alternative for the rvf but I have not heard from him about the current status. Maybe if there is more demand on here, this may fasten that process.

[Maelstrom]

I think I need to be more specific. I have them made. That involves paying for moulds etc. If the market is large enough then it might be worth doing. I am in Thailand so I can get things done at reasonable prices and quantities. I have no interest in being a wholesaler. I will sell direct to the user at the lowest price possible.

For the Yamaha it is no problem because my kits covers from the 400 up to the FZR1000 over a ten year period. Also the Ducati Monster and SuperSport models used the same carbs. Unfortunately the kits that are available on the market only have some of the required parts and an original set, including fuel seals etc, will cost about 240 USD. I am targeting an all up price of about 30 USD and that is with everything made in Viton. The lead time to get everything into production means that I have to start working on my next set sooner, rather than later.

Back to the Honda. Although there is not the range of the Yamaha there are a lot of Honda V Fours and they are not going anywhere. Simply because they are modern classics in any sense of the word. I will be making these kits but it is just a question of when. The Yamahas run like a pig if the carb seals are in bad condition, I know I own one. Perhaps the Hondas don't suffer as much as from the same problem. The throttle shaft seal being an interesting example. The throttle shaft seals in my Yamaha were decomposed to the point that one of them was reduced to a few crumbs. Yet, apparently, the Keihins on the Honda are not replaceable.

This forum is a great source of information and a lot of the posters here have good product knowledge and the expertise to do their own work on their bike. If enough readers say "Yes I would buy a set" then that gives me an idea of the demand.

1/ The kit I am referring to is for all 4 carbs.
2/ It includes both carb seals and fuel hose seals. The A & B in this case.
3/ Everything is in Viton
4/ Price estimate is about 20 GBP
5/ Shipping will be free for a full kit

cheers
Blair

[Cammo]

Yes I would by a set!

I found this pic. So what happens after you pop the nut off that throttle shaft? Must be something holding the shaft in the body, apart from the butterfly, if the shaft is not removable.

The other end of the shaft is flattened, it can't be withdrawn from the carb body. I can't remember if rvf carbs are constructed the same way.

[Neosophist]

Contact wemoto, david silvers and paul smeetons bitz for bikes. perhaps theyd take a couple of sets off your hands, especially as the OE ones are not readily available.