Thanks for the advice so far, carb's almost reassembled, just got that one jet to get out of the emulsion tube and I'm ready to refit, all the other 3 done.

However while waiting on the penetrating gunk to do it's thing I thought I'd get as much of the other bits back on the bike following the valve clearance saga. One bit is the flap, now when doing the valves I had lifted it out of the way, however removing it was more accidental than by design so I didn't note how it fitted or attached.

This bit


How is it routed/fitted/attached in here?



Finally 3 or so staples came out so the flap isn't secured all the way across



Not having a staple gun I thought I'd use some self tappers, any reasons why not to?

Last question, is it OK to use red rubber grease on the carb rubbers to assist in refitting? I intended to put a generous smear on the insides.

As always thanks for the assistance/advice

I use red rubber grease on mine, its easier if you use RVF rubbers as they are tappered for easier fitting. Best way to do it tho is place the front 2 just in the rubbers then use a screwdriver to prise the rears in then push down(or jump on) the carbs :)

sorted the flap, fitting carbs tomorrow!

I echo what DM said, although I don't stand on mine- I use a piece of soft wood and a mallet to thwack the carbs in properly.
Oh, and don't forget to do the throttle cables first!

Thanks
Red rubbers it is then, plus wood, a rubber mallet, size tens, and a prayer to the gods of carb alignment!

I've had to take my carbs off twice now and the first time I refitted them it was a friggin' nightmare, even with new rubbers... the second time I used a good spray of WD40 on mine and it went a lot better; obviously you have to make sure that the whole area surrounding the rubbers is clean and free from grit and dirt, otherwise it'll be carried into the inlet...

If your rubbers are old or are the original ones, it might be worth taking them off and giving 'em a soak in petrol to soften them up.

Oh yeah, check the condition of the rubber clamps as well, and you'll need a small torch so you can see whether the carbs are properly fitted.

As regards your flappy thing I think I'd use small nuts and machine screws, with big/ repair washers and a dose of threadlock. It's more professional and I've had too many self-tappers work loose in the past.
I couldn't tell you exactly how it goes in the frame but I'd guess that the two flaps go either side of the crossmember (the round tube with cable tie round it).

thanks. job done, sadly still running like a smokey pile of shit but onwards and upwards!